Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

OLIVES, MOUNT OF

A north-south ridge just E of Jerusalem. The ridge has three main summits, the northernmost of which is the highest, ca. 820 m. (2700 ft.) above sea level. This northern section has been identified as Mt. Scopus, meaning the mountain of the “lookout” (Josephus BJ 5.67-70). The central peak directly across the Kidron Valley from the temple is the Mount of Olives proper. The southernmost and lowest peak is usually identified as the Mount of Offense (or Corruption) where Solomon built shrines to foreign gods in “the high places that were east of Jerusalem” (2 Kgs. 23:13). The Mount of Olives has also been identified with Nob (1 Sam. 21:1[MT 20:42]; Isa. 10:32), but this is less certain.

The Mount of Olives is so named because it is composed of a limestone soil that is relatively fertile for the area, and therefore olive groves have long been cultivated on it. Gethsemane (from Heb. “oil press”) was probably on or near the Mount of Olives (Matt. 26:36; Mark 14:32). The villages of Bethany and Bethphage were located on the eastern slopes of the mount (Mark 11:1).

In the OT the Mount of Olives is mentioned explicitly only twice. The first is an image of humiliation and defeat, when David is fleeing after the successful revolt led by his son Absalom (2 Sam. 15:30). Zech. 14 also associates the mount with defeat and destruction, describing an eschatological devastation of Jerusalem by her enemies. But this defeat will be reversed when Yahweh appears on the Mount of Olives, standing on the Mount of Olives, which “shall be split in two from east to west” (Zech. 14:4). A very similar description of Yahweh forsaking Jerusalem and then returning to her is also found in Ezek. 11:23, a passage that probably refers to the Mount of Olives; later the glory of Yahweh returns to the temple from the east (43:2-5). The Mount of Olives thus held implications of both defeat and ultimate redemption.

These implications of humiliating defeat and triumphant victory can also be seen in the NT references to the mount. Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is placed at the Mount of Olives (Matt. 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38). Luke, however, follows this with Jesus’ weeping over the city and prophesying her terrible defeat (Luke 19:41-44). Similarly, Jesus’ discourse of eschatological woes is given on the Mount of Olives (Matt. 24:3; Mark 13:3). The theme of defeat and sorrow can also be seen in the events of Jesus’ passion that are located on the mount. All four Gospels locate Jesus’ betrayal and arrest on or near the Mount of Olives (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26; Luke 22:39; John 18:1). The Synoptics also place Jesus’ agonized prayer there (Matt. 26:36-41; Mark 14:32-38; Luke 22:39-46). But Jesus’ ultimate triumph is also associated with the Mount of Olives, as it is there that he ascends into heaven (Luke 24:50; Acts 1:12).

Bibliography. J. Finegan, The Archeology of the New Testament, rev. ed. (Princeton, 1992), 154-83.

Kim Paffenroth

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

OLIVES, MOUNT OF

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)