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LEBANON

(Heb. lĕḇānôn)

A mountain region north of Israel noted for its cedar forest. The name Lebanon derives from the Semitic root lbn meaning “white,” apparently a reference to the snow-capped mountains typical of the region (cf. Jer. 18:14). Although the limits of the area are imprecise, Lebanon referred to two parallel mountain chains lying immediately E of the Phoenician coast defined on the north by the Eleutherus River (Nahr el-Kebir) and the Leontes River (Litani) to the south, an area 160 km. (100 mi.) long.

Lebanon comprises three distinct zones. The mountains of Lebanon emerge dramatically very close to the sea and reach altitudes in excess of 3048 m. (10,000 ft.); the highest elevation is 3360 m. (11,024 ft.). The western slopes of these mountains receive nearly 152 cm. (60 in.) of annual rainfall, much of it falling as snow in the higher elevations. To the east of these mountains lies the Beqaʿ, a fertile valley nestled between the two mountain chains (cf. Josh. 11:17). Although part of the same geological rift that forms the Jordan Valley further south, the Beqaʿ averages an elevation over 915 m. (3000 ft.) above sea level. The Litani River rises from the watershed near Baalbek and flows south and then west before it joins the Mediterranean Sea N of Tyre. The Orontes River emerges out of lakes and marshes lying behind basalt intrusions at the northern end of the valley. Although the Beqaʿ would seem to be a natural corridor for north-south traffic, in fact the basalt intrusions in the north and precipitously descending ridges to the south made travel difficult, especially for large armies.

The Anti-Lebanon Mountains thrust upward E of the Beqaʿ. Slightly lower and drier than their western neighbors, the Anti-Lebanons received enough rainfall to produce abundant springs along the eastern foot of the range. These springs fed the Pharphar and Abana Rivers that sustained the oasis city Damascus. Mt. Hermon (2813 m. [9230 ft.], also known as Senir or Sirion [Deut. 3:9; Cant. 4:8]) anchors the southern end of this chain. Copious springs emerge at the foot of Mt. Hermon, forming the headwaters of the Jordan River (cf. Cant. 4:15).

Lebanon was renowned for its great coniferous forests (cedar, cypress, fir, and pine) that grew in abundance upon the mountain slopes. The cedars of Lebanon often mentioned in the OT were especially prized as a building material because of their strength and size. The Egyptians imported cedar for use in pyramids and sacred barques from the early 3rd millennium. Solomon secured cedar wood from King Hiram of Tyre to build the temple and his palace, the “House of the forest of Lebanon” (1 Kgs. 5:6-14; 7:2-8; 10:17-21). Cedar from Lebanon also was used in construction of the Second Temple (Ezra 3:7). The biblical writers frequently used the cedars of Lebanon as a symbol of beauty, enduring strength, nobility, and divine bounty (Ps. 104:16; 29:5-6; 72:16; 92:12; Cant. 7:4; Hos. 14:5-7; cf. 2 Kgs. 14:9). Lebanon was known also for its wine (Hos. 14:7).

Thomas V. Brisco

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LEBANON

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)