Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
) A prominent headland of Central Palestine, consisting of several connected hills extending from the plain of Esdraelon to the sea, a distance of some 12 miles or more. At the east end, in its highest part, it is 1,728 feet high, and at the west end it forms a promontory to the bay of Acre about 600 feet above the sea. It lay within the tribe of Asher. , the place of burning), that Elijah brought back the people to their allegiance to God, and slew the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).
Here were consumed the “fifties” of the royal guard; and here also Elisha received the visit of the bereaved mother whose son was restored by him to life (2 Kings 4:25-37). “No mountain in or around Palestine retains its ancient beauty so much as Carmel. ” The western extremity of the ridge is, however, more rocky and bleak than the eastern. The head of the bride in Cant. 7:5 is compared to Carmel. It is ranked with Bashan on account of its rich pastures (Isa. 33:9; Jer. 50:19; Amos 1:2). The whole ridge is deeply furrowed with rocky ravines filled with dense jungle.
There are many caves in its sides, which at one time were inhabited by swarms of monks. These caves are referred to in Amos 9:3. To them Elijah and Elisha often resorted (1 Kings 18:19, 42; 2 Kings 2:25). On its north-west summit there is an ancient establishment of Carmelite monks. Vineyards have recently been planted on the mount by the German colonists of Haifa. , Mount St. Elias, from the Convent of Elias. ) A town in the hill country of Judah (Josh. 15:55), the residence of Nabal (1 Sam. 25:2, 5, 7, 40), and the native place of Abigail, who became David’s wife (1 Sam. 27:3).
Here king Uzziah had his vineyards (2 Chr. 26:10). The ruins of this town still remain under the name of Kurmul, about 10 miles south-south-east of Hebron, close to those of Maon.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(fruitful place or park).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
CAR'MEL (fruitful, or wooded). 1. One of the most noted mountains in Mount Carmel, from the Bey of Acre. {After Views of G. M. ) Palestine, a range or ridge about 12 miles long, one end jutting into the Mediterranean Sea in a bold bluff over 500 feet high, extending thence southeast until it abruptly breaks off in an inland bluff over 500 feet above the sea level. Its highest elevation, about 4 miles from the east end, is nearly 1740 feet. It is specially noted as being the scene of remarkable events in the history of Elijah and Elisha. 2 Kgs 2:25; Gal 4:25.
The scene of the famous contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, 1 Kgs 18:20-42, was near the east end of the ridge, at el-Mahrakah (i. e. "burnt-offering"); a well is near, and a slippery path leads down to the Kishon, several hundred feet below. This stream is now called Nahr el-Mukatta, "river of slaughter," in memory of this event. It is a sacred mountain alike to Jews, Christians, and Moslems, and formerly swarmed with monks and hermits. One tract, known as the Monk's Cavern, has hundreds of caves, and a little below is the traditional cave of Elijah.
On the mountain is the large monastery of the Carmelites, which affords hospitable accommodation and a magnificent view. It is now occupied by eighteen monks. The German colony of Haifa has recently planted vineyards on Mount Carmel. Present Appearance. " Isa 35:2. It is still known as Kurmul and Mar Elyas (Mount St. Elias). The rugged sides of the ridge are of hard, dark stone, always steep, often precipitous, covered with shrubs of dark, rich green. These shrubs are chiefly a kind of pistachio with no berries, the sponge laurel, the hawthorn, and the arbutus.
The bare spots are covered with flowers, as rock-roses, striped asphodel, the daisy, and the red and purple anemone. The horse of the traveller often presses out a sweet fragrance from the thyme and mint. Herds of goats are frequently seen climbing its steep sides, and occasionally a gazelle bounds through the shrubs, while the fox, jackal, wolf, and a stray wild boar and a panther (chetah) add to the animal life of the mountains. The partridge and woodcock also abound.
Huge valleys upward of 1000 feet deep wind tortuously from the main ridge to the sea, requiring hours to cross to the opposite summits. The rock is a compact, sandy limestone. A town in the mountains of Judah, where Saul set a monument, 1 Sam 15:12;Acts 25:2, 1 Chr 6:5, 1 Kgs 15:7, 1 Sam 15:40; 1 Sam 27:3, and Uzziah had vineyards, 2 Chr 26:10; now Kurmul, 10 miles south-east of Hebron, where are ruins of a strong castle.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
circumcised lamb; harvest; full of ears of corn
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CAR'MEL (fruitful, or wooded). 1. One of the most noted mountains in Mount Carmel, from the Bey of Acre. {After Views of G. M. ) Palestine, a range or ridge about 12 miles long, one end jutting into the Mediterranean Sea in a bold bluff over 500 feet high, extending thence southeast until it abruptly breaks off in an inland bluff over 500 feet above the sea level. Its highest elevation, about 4 miles from the east end, is nearly 1740 feet. It is specially noted as being the scene of remarkable events in the history of Elijah and Elisha. 2 Kgs 2:25; Gal 4:25.
The scene of the famous contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, 1 Kgs 18:20-42, was near the east end of the ridge, at el-Mahrakah (i. e. "burnt-offering"); a well is near, and a slippery path leads down to the Kishon, several hundred feet below. This stream is now called Nahr el-Mukatta, "river of slaughter," in memory of this event. It is a sacred mountain alike to Jews, Christians, and Moslems, and formerly swarmed with monks and hermits. One tract, known as the Monk's Cavern, has hundreds of caves, and a little below is the traditional cave of Elijah.
On the mountain is the large monastery of the Carmelites, which affords hospitable accommodation and a magnificent view. It is now occupied by eighteen monks. The German colony of Haifa has recently planted vineyards on Mount Carmel. Present Appearance. " Isa 35:2. It is still known as Kurmul and Mar Elyas (Mount St. Elias). The rugged sides of the ridge are of hard, dark stone, always steep, often precipitous, covered with shrubs of dark, rich green. These shrubs are chiefly a kind of pistachio with no berries, the sponge laurel, the hawthorn, and the arbutus.
The bare spots are covered with flowers, as rock-roses, striped asphodel, the daisy, and the red and purple anemone. The horse of the traveller often presses out a sweet fragrance from the thyme and mint. Herds of goats are frequently seen climbing its steep sides, and occasionally a gazelle bounds through the shrubs, while the fox, jackal, wolf, and a stray wild boar and a panther (chetah) add to the animal life of the mountains. The partridge and woodcock also abound.
Huge valleys upward of 1000 feet deep wind tortuously from the main ridge to the sea, requiring hours to cross to the opposite summits. The rock is a compact, sandy limestone.