The BibleGospel Companion

Mount Carmel

כַּרְמֶל · kar.mel · H3760H5 mentions in 2 books, most in 1 Kings (3)

Where it is

KishonHarosheth-hagoyimIdalahSharonSharonSaridBeth-dagonBeth-dagonMount Carmelabout 51 km across

32.73° N, 35.05° E

Coordinates and map: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding · CC BY 4.0 · drawn without map tiles

Mentioned most in

1 Kings · 32 Kings · 2
Counted from 5 references · STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

About this place

Mount Carmel is a mountain range stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast, located in northern Israel. It is most famously associated with the prophet Elijah and his confrontation with the prophets of Baal (1Ki.18.19-40). On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the people of Israel to choose between the Lord and Baal, and he demonstrated the power of the true God by calling down fire from heaven.

After the contest, Elijah slaughtered the prophets of Baal at the Brook Kishon (1Ki.18.40) and then went to the top of Mount Carmel to pray for rain, ending a three-year drought (1Ki.18.42-45). The mountain is also mentioned in 2Ki.2.25 and 4:25, in connection with the prophet Elisha, who was Elijah's successor.

Mount Carmel's lush vegetation and beauty made it a symbol of fertility and God's blessing in the Bible (Isaiah 35:2; Jeremiah 50:19; Amo.9.3). The mountain's strategic location and natural resources also made it a place of military and political significance throughout history.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

5 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

1 Kings 3 mentions

1 Kings 18:19Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and four hundred fifty of the prophets of Baal, and four hundred of the prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”1 Kings 18:20So Ahab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together to Mount Carmel.1 Kings 18:42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down on the earth, and put his face between his knees.

2 Kings 2 mentions

2 Kings 2:25He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.2 Kings 4:25So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite.

Sources