Field Notes: Mount Ebal

Mount Ebal sits just north of the ancient city of Shechem (modern Nablus) in the hill country of Samaria. Across the valley to the south stands Mount Gerizim. In the Bible, Mount Ebal is where Israel gathered after entering the Promised Land. Moses had commanded that an altar be built there and that the covenant … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Nebo

This one is also in the Not A Mountain Club. Mount Nebo is a ridge in modern-day Jordan overlooking the Jordan Valley and the land of Israel. According to the Bible, this is the place where Moses stood and viewed the Promised Land before his death. From the summit, God showed Moses the land Israel … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Hermon

Mount Hermon is the tallest mountain in Israel and sits along the border of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. Because of its high elevation, its peaks are often snow-covered. In the Bible, Mount Herman marks the norther boundary of the land promised to Israel (Deuteronomy 3:8-9). The mountain is also mentioned in Psalm 133, which compares … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Carmel

Another “not really a mountain” situation. Mount Carmel is actually a limestone ridge that runs along the Mediterranean coast in northern Israel. In the Bible, it is most famous as the place where the prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal during the reign of King Ahab (1 Kings 18). When the prophet of Baal … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Moriah

Mount Moriah is the modern day Temple Mount. It’s as simple as that. Underneath the raised platform of the Temple Mount is what the Bible calls Mount Moriah. It’s All the Same Hill Nerd Notes:–The staircase visible along the southern wall of the Temple Mount is known as the Southern Steps, one of the main … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Zion

Mount Zion, not a mountain at all, is a historic hill in Jerusalem associated with the City of David and the early royal capital established by King David. In the Bible, Zion originally referred to the stronghold captured by David and later became closely connected with Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Over time, the name … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Ararat

The larger mountain pictured is Greater Ararat, located in eastern Turkey and visible from the Armenian capital of Yerevan. Standing at 16,854 feet, Greater Ararat is traditionally associated with the resting place of Noah’s Ark after the Flood (Genesis 8:4). Look how deep the water must have been for the ark to land on that … Read more

Field Notes: Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives is the ridge just east of Jerusalem, separated from the city by the Kidron Valley. It appears throughout the Gospels as on of Jesus’ regular places of prayer and teaching. From its slopes, Jesus delivered the Olivet Discourse about the end times (Matthew 24-25). At the foot of the mount is … Read more

Field Notes: Mount Tabor

Mount Tabor rises prominently out of the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. In the Old Testament, it served as a gathering point for Israelite forces when Barak assembled troops to face Sisera’s army (Judges 4:5-14). In Christian tradition, Mount Tabor is often identified as the site of the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His glory to … Read more