Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CARMEL

(Heb. karmel)

1. A wooded mountain range along the northern coast of Israel that runs northwest from the plain of Esdraelon to the Mediterranean coast near the modern city of Haifa, where its headland (Mt. Carmel or Jebel Kurmul) forms the harbor and the bay of Acre. The range separates the coastal plain of Acco to the north from the plains of Sharon and Philistia in the south. The average height of the mountain range is 457 m. (1500 ft.), with its highest point near Isfiya (530 m. [1742 ft.]). Because of Carmel’s height and location near the coast, the temperatures during the summer are mild, and annual rainfall averages 91 cm. (36 in.). These factors gave rise to abundant vegetation, which explains why this region was called Carmel or “orchard.”

The most memorable biblical event tied to this area revolved around the issue of fertility and divinity. According to 1 Kgs. 18 Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal and Asherah on Carmel. It was here that Yahweh demonstrated to the people of Israel that Baal was not the true God, by consuming the water-logged offering with fire/lightning and then sending what Baal could not, rain. The fire and rain were convincing proof of God’s sovereignty to a people who had been practicing a syncretic religion.

2. A town in the Judean wilderness (cf. Josh. 15:55) that can be identified with modern el-Kirmil (162092), a village ca. 13 km. (8 mi.) SE of Hebron. It was in this area that Saul erected a monument in honor of his victory over the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15:12). In addition, the story of David and Abigail took place in this vicinity (1 Sam. 25; ; cf. 27:3). Carmel was part of a western line of fortifications protecting the highways of the area and the economic stability of the region, which focused primarily on animal breeding.

Bibliography. O. Borowski, “The Carmel-Formidable Barrier and Wedge into the Sea,” BibRev 6/5 (1990): 46-52.

Rick W. Byargeon

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CARMEL

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)