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Carmel

Locations
Modern Location Northern Israel
Coordinates 32.7333, 35.0500

Geographical Setting

A limestone mountain range extending along the Mediterranean coast of northern Israel, characterized by steep slopes and fertile valleys.

What is the meaning of Carmel in the Bible?

A mountain range in northern Israel, known for its beauty and fertility, with a monastery on top and fertile valleys below. It has been a place of asylum, worship, and biblical events.

SIGNIFICANCE

Carmel serves as a geographical backdrop for key biblical narratives, most notably the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal, illustrating the tension between monotheistic worship and local Canaanite religious practices.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Carmel (located near modern Northern Israel) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Carmel in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Carmel clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Carmel." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/carmel/
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