Difference between revisions of "Carmel"

<p> [[Generally]] with the article, "the park," derived from kerem 'Εel , "the vineyard of God." Sometimes not a proper name: &nbsp;Isaiah 32:15, "a fruitful field," [[Hebrew]] Κarmel; a characteristic feature of the Holy-Land. </p> <p> '''1.''' A mountain promontory in Asher, 12 miles long, jutting out into the Mediterranean. a few miles S. of [[Ptolemais]] or Acre; toward its eastern extremity 1,600 feet above the level of the sea, at the W. end 600. Now [[Mar]] Elyas (Elijah), rarely Kurmul. The only bold headland of Palestine. It separates the plain of [[Sharon]] on the S. from the more inland plain of [[Esdraelon]] or [[Jezreel]] on the N., by which the river [[Kishon]] flows into the sea in a direction parallel to the mountain range. The stone is mostly soft white limestone, with nodules of flint; at the W. chalk; on the N.E. plutonic rocks. "Elijah's melons," or lapides Judaici, is the name applied to stones of light brown flint outside, hollow inside, and lined with quartz crystals or chalcedony, the geological "geodes." </p> <p> Fossil spines of echinus are called "olives." The "apples" are the shells of the [[Cidaris]] glandifera. Carmel's characteristic shrubbery's are still to be seen, with rocky dells amidst jungles of copse oaks, evergreens, and numerous caves. The forests have disappeared. Flowering and fragrant herbs abound, hollyhocks, jasmine, and various vegetable creepers, "the excellency (i.e. the beauty) of Carmel" (&nbsp;Isaiah 35:2.) Hence it is the image of the bride's head with luxuriant tresses (&nbsp;Song of [[Solomon]] 7:5). "thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple (Hebrew the pendulous hair is of glossy black, like purple), the king is held captivated with the flowing ringlets" (not galleries). The scene of Elijah's conflict with, and execution of, Baal's prophets was at the N.E. of the range, beside a spring said to be perennial. </p> <p> But Blunt (Undesigned Coincidences) thinks that sea water was used, as water would not have been otherwise so wasted in a drought. The distance of the sea forbids this view; the sea is far W. of the scene. The spring is 250 feet below the steep rocky altar plateau. It is in the former a vaulted tank, with steps leading down to it. [[Carmel]] was so covered with thicket and forest as to be difficult of access, so that the fountain was not so available in the drought as otherwise it would have been. The shade of the trees and the vaulting (if it then existed) would check evaporation. The site of Elijah's sacrifice is still marked by the [[Arab]] name El-Maharrakah," the burning." The spring still flowing amidst the drought is close by. [[Josephus]] says the water was obtained from the neighboring spring (Ant. 8:13, section 5). The distance from Jezreel agrees with the narrative. </p> <p> A knoll between the ridge and the plain is called Tell Kasis, "the hill of the priests;" the Kishon below is named Nahr el Mukatta, "the river of slaughter." From it [[Ahab]] "went up" to the sides of Carmel to take part in the sacrificial feast; [[Elijah]] went up to "the top" of the mountain to pray for rain: while [[Gehazi]] seven times climbed the highest point from whence the [[Mediterranean]] is to be fully seen over the W. shoulder of the ridge, and at last saw the little cloud rising out of the sea "like a man's hand," the sure forerunner of rain. An altar of [[Jehovah]] had existed on Carmel before that [[Baal]] worship was introduced; [[Jezebel]] had east it down (&nbsp;1 Kings 28:30); this Elijah repaired and used as the altar for his sacrifice. Hence, as being a sacred spot, he had convened [[Israel]] and Ahab there. They and the 850 prophets of Baal stood close beneath the high place of the altar, near the spring, in full view of Jezreel and Ahab's palace and Jezebel's temple in the distance. </p> <p> Subsequently it was the place of resort for worship on new moons and sabbaths (&nbsp;2 Kings 4:23). Here too the successive fifties of king Ahaziah, at Elijah's call, were consumed by fire from heaven. (&nbsp;2 Kings 1:9, where it ought to be "he sat on the top of THE hill," i.e. Carmel.) [[Elisha]] repaired there, after Elijah's ascension (&nbsp;2 Kings 2:25). Here too Elisha was visited by the bereaved mother, with a view to his restoring to life her deceased son (&nbsp;2 Kings 4:25). Tacitus mentions that ages afterward [[Vespasian]] went there to consult the oracle which was without image or temple, and with "only an altar and reverential sanctity" attached to the place. </p> <p> On Carmel is the convent, the seat of the barefooted [[Carmelite]] monks, whose establishments spread over Europe from the 13th century. Bertholdt, a Calabrian, and a crusader in the 12th century, had founded the order, and Louis of [[France]] the convent, in the 13th century, at the traditional site of Elijah's abode. The Latin traditions as to Elijah being connected with the origin of that order of monks are purely mythical. [[Edward]] I of [[England]] was a brother of the order; [[Simon]] Stokes of [[Kent]] was one of its famous generals. </p> <p> '''2.''' A city in the hilly country of [[Judah]] (&nbsp;Joshua 15:55). The abode of the churl [[Nabal]] and [[Abigail]] "the Carmelitess" (1 Samuel 25; &nbsp;1 Samuel 27:3). [[Saul]] set. up a "place," i.e. a memorial, there after his victory over [[Amalek]] (&nbsp;1 Samuel 15:12). Here [[Uzziah]] had his vineyards (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 26:10). Ten miles S.E. of Hebron. In A.D. 1172 King [[Amalric]] held it against Saladin. The ruins of the castle (Kasr el Birkeh) are still visible, of great strength, with the large beveled masonry characteristic of [[Jewish]] architecture. To the E. is a glaring white desert, without shrub or water. inhabited by the partridge and ibex alone, the very two noticed in the narrative (&nbsp;1 Samuel 26:20): "the king of Israel doth hunt a partridge"; "David upon the rocks of the wild goats" (&nbsp;1 Samuel 24:2). </p>

<p> '''Car'mel.''' (fruitful place or park). </p> <p> 1. A mountain, which forms one of the most striking and characteristic features, of the country of Palestine. It is a noble ridge, the only headland of lower and central Palestine, and forms its southern boundary, running out with a bold bluff promontory, nearly 600 feet high, almost into the very waves of the Mediterranean, then extending southeast, for a little more than twelve miles, when it terminates suddenly in a bluff, somewhat corresponding to its western end. </p> <p> In form, Carmel is a tolerably continuous ridge, its highest point, about four miles from the eastern end, being 1740 feet above the sea. That which has made the name of Carmel most familiar to the modern world is its intimate connection with the history of the two great prophets of Israel, Elijah and Elisha. &nbsp;2 Kings 2:25; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:25; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:20-42. It is now commonly called Mar Elyas; Kurmel being occasionally, but only seldom, heard. </p> <p> 2. A town in the mountainous country of Judah, &nbsp;Joshua 15:55, familiar to us as the residence of Nabal. &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:2; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:5; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:7; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:40. </p>

<p> '''Carmel''' (kär'mel), fruitful place or park. 1. A long mountain which forms a striking feature of Palestine. It is a noble ridge, the only headland of lower and central Palestine, jutting out with a bold bluff or promontory, nearly 600 feet high, almost into the Mediterranean. It extends southeast for a little more than twelve miles, where it terminates suddenly in a bluff somewhat corresponding to its western end. That which has made Carmel most familiar to us is its intimate connection with the history of the two great prophets of Israel—Elijah and Elisha. &nbsp;2 Kings 2:25; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:25; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:20-42. It is now commonly called Mar Elyas; Kûrmel being occasionally, but only seldom, heard. 2. A town in the mountainous country of Judah, &nbsp;Joshua 15:55, familiar to us as the residence of Nabal. &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:2-5; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:7; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:40. </p>

<p> Mount Carmel was the only major headland on the Palestine coast (&nbsp;Jeremiah 46:18). It rose steeply from the sea, then extended inland in a mountain range about twenty kilometres long that divided between the Plain of Esdraelon to the north and the Plain of Sharon to the south. The mountains had good forests and pasture lands (&nbsp;Isaiah 33:9; &nbsp;Isaiah 35:2; &nbsp;Jeremiah 50:19; &nbsp;Amos 1:2; &nbsp;Amos 9:3; &nbsp;Nahum 1:4). (For maps and other details of the region see PALESTINE.) </p> <p> According to the beliefs of [[Baalism]] that Jezebel introduced into Israel from Phoenicia, Mt Carmel was a sacred Baal site. This gives added significance to the contest on Mt Carmel where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (&nbsp;1 Kings 18:17-46; see ELIJAH). (Mt Carmel had no connection with a town in Judah named Carmel; &nbsp;1 Samuel 15:12; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:2-42.) </p>

<li> A town in the hill country of Judah (&nbsp;Joshua 15:55 ), the residence of Nabal (&nbsp;1 Samuel 25:2,5,7,40 ), and the native place of Abigail, who became David's wife (&nbsp;1 Samuel 27:3 ). Here king Uzziah had his vineyards (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 26:10 ). The ruins of this town still remain under the name of Kurmul, about 10 miles south-south-east of Hebron, close to those of Maon. <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated [[Bible]] Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Carmel'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/c/carmel.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> (Hebrews Karmel', כִּרְמֶל , park, as in &nbsp;Isaiah 10:18; &nbsp;Isaiah 16:10; &nbsp;Isaiah 29:17; &nbsp;Isaiah 32:15-16; &nbsp;Jeremiah 2:7; &nbsp;Jeremiah 48:33 [also &nbsp;2 Kings 19:23; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 26:10, in both which passages the A. V. incorrectly takes it for a proper name, "Carmel"]; hence grits, as a garden fruit, &nbsp;Leviticus 2:14; &nbsp;Leviticus 23:14; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:42), the name of a noted promontory (often with the art. [as in several of the above occurrences of the appellation], hakKarmel´, </p> <p> הִכִּרְמֶל, q. d. the orchard, &nbsp;Amos 1:2; &nbsp;Amos 9:3; &nbsp;Jeremiah 4:26; &nbsp;Song of Solomon 7:6; fully "Mt. Carmel," har hakKarmel', הִר הִכִּרְמֶל, q. d. garden-mount, &nbsp;1 Kings 18:19-20; or without the art. &nbsp;Isaiah 33:9; &nbsp;Nahum 1:4; &nbsp;Joshua 19:26), and also of a town; both doubtless so called from their verdant fertility. For details of both see the Memoirs accompanying the Map lately issued by the "Pal. Explor. Fund." </p> <p> '''1.''' (Sept. usually Κάρμηλος [so Josephus, Ant. 5:1, 22, etc.; Tacitus, "Carmelus," Hist. 2:78; also Suetonius, Vespas. 5, 1]; but Καρμήλιον in &nbsp;1 Kings 18:19-20; &nbsp;2 Kings 2:25; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:25 [so Josephus, Ant. 13:5, 4], and Χερμέλ in &nbsp;Joshua 12:22). A prominent headland of lower or central Palestine, bounding southerly the Bay of Acre, and running out boldly almost into the waves of the Mediterranean, from which it stretches in a straight line, bearing about S.S.E. for a little more than twelve miles, when it terminates suddenly by a bluff somewhat corresponding to its western end, breaking down abruptly into the hills of Jenin and Samaria, which form at that part the central mass of the country. The average height is about 1500 feet; and at the foot of the mountain, on the north, runs the brook Kishon, and a little further north the river Belus. Mount Carmel consists rather of several connected hills than of one ridge, being at the W. end about 600, and at the E. about 1600 feet above the sea. The highest part is some four miles from the E. end, at the village of Esfieh, which, according to the measurements of the English engineers, is 1728 feet above the sea. The foot of the northern portion approaches 'the water closely, but farther south it retires more inland. The slopes are steepest on the northern side toward the Kishon (q.v.). </p> <p> Carmel fell within the lot of the tribe of Asher (&nbsp;Joshua 19:26), which was extended as far south as [[Dor]] (Tantura), probably to give the [[Asherites]] a share of the rich corn-growing plain of Sharon (comp. Josephus, Ant. 5:1, 22; War, 3:3, 1). The king of "Jokneam of Carmel" was one of the [[Canaanitish]] chiefs who fell before the arms of Joshua (Josua 12:22). There is not in these earliest notices a hint of any sanctity attaching to the mount; but from the facts that an altar to Jehovah did exist there before the introduction of .Baal worship into the kingdom (&nbsp;1 Kings 18:30); that Elijah chose the place for the assembly of the people, such assemblies being commonly held at holy places; and from the custom, which appears to Wave been prevalent, of resorting thither on new-moon and sabbaths (&nbsp;2 Kings 4:23), there seem to be grounds for believing that from very early times it was considered a sacred spot. In later times, [[Pythagoras]] was led to it by that reputation, according to his biographer [[Iamblichus]] (Vit. Pythag. c. 3, p. 40, 42, ed. Kiesi.), who himself visited the mountain; Vespasian, too, came thither to consult — so we are told by Tacitus (Hist. 2:7), with that mixture of fact and fable which marks all the heathen notices of Palestine — the oracle of the god, whose name was the same as that of the mountain itself; an oracle without image or temple (see Smith's Dict. of Classical Geogr. s.v. Carmelus). But the circumstances that have made the name of Carmel most familiar are that here Elijah brought back Israel to allegiance to Jehovah, and slew the prophets of the foreign and false god; here at his entreaty were consumed the successive "fifties" out of the royal guard; and here, on the other hand, Elisha received the visit of the lereaved mother whose son he was soon to restore to her arms (&nbsp;2 Kings 4:25, etc.) (See [[Elisha]]). </p> <p> The first of these three events, without doubt, took place at the eastern end of the ridge, at a spot called el-Mulhrakah, near the ruined village of el-Mansurah, first described by [[Van]] de Velde (Journey, 1:324 sq.). The tradition preserved in the convent, and among the Druses of the neighboring villages, the names of the places, the distance from Jezreel, the nature of the locality, the presence of the never-failing spring, all are favorable (see Stanley, [[Sinai]] and Palest. p. 345 sq.; Thomson, Land and Book, 1:223 sq.). The terrace on which the traditionary structure stands commands a noble view over the whole plain of Esdraelon, from the banks of the Kishon down at the bottom of the steep declivity, away to the distant hill of Gilboa, at whose base stood the royal city of Jezreel. To the 850 prophets, ranged doubtless on the wide upland sweep, just beneath the terrace, to the multitudes of people, many of whom may have remained on the plain, the altar of Elijah would be in full view, and they could all see, in the evening twilight, that "the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt-sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water" (&nbsp;2 Kings 4:38). The people then, trembling with fear and indignation, seized, at Elijah's bidding, the prophets of Baal; "and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there." On the lower declivities of the mountain is a mound called Tell el-Kusis, "the Hill of the Priests," which probably marks the very scene of the execution. May not the present name of the Kishon itself have originated in this tragic event? It is called Nahr el-Mokatta, "the River of Slaughter." The prophet went up again to the altar, which was near, but not upon the summit of the mountain. While he prayed, he said to his servant, "Go up now, and look toward the sea." The sea is not visible from the terrace, but a few minutes' ascent leads to a peak which commands its whole expanse. Seven times did the servant climb the height, and at last saw the little cloud "like a man's hand" rising out of the sea. (See [[Elijah]]). </p> <p> According to the reports of most travelers, the mountain well deserves its Hebrew name (see above). Mariti describes it as "a delightful region," and; says the good quality of its soil is apparent from the fact that many odoriferous plants and flowers, as hyacinths, jonquils, tazettos, anemones, etc., grow wild upon the mountain (Travels, p. 274 sq.). [[Otto]] von Richter (Waldfahrten, p. 64) gives a glowing account of its beauty and varied scenery. Mr. Carne also' says, "No mountain in or around Palestine retains its ancient beauty so much as Carmel. Two or three villages and some scattered cottages are found on it; its groves are few, but luxuriant; it is no place for crags and precipices, or rocks of the wild goats; but its surface is covered with a rich and constant verdure" (Letters, 2:119). "There is not a flower," says Van de Velde, "that I have seen in Galilee, or on the plains along the coast, that I do not find here on Carmel... still the fragrant, lovely mountain that he was of old" (Narrative, 1:317, 8). " The whole mountain side was dressed with blossoms, and flowering shrubs, and fragrant herbs" (Martineau, p. 539). So Isaiah (&nbsp;Isaiah 35:2) alludes to the excellency (splendid ornaments) of Carmel." So, on account of the graceful form and verdant beauty of the summit, the head of the bride in &nbsp;Song of Solomon 7:5 is compared to Carmel. It was also celebrated for its pastures, and is therefore ranked with [[Bashan]] in &nbsp;Isaiah 33:9; Jeremiah 1, 19; &nbsp;Amos 1:2; &nbsp;Micah 7:14; &nbsp;Nahum 1:4. Its conspicuous position is also compared with that of Tabor (&nbsp;Jeremiah 46:18). Its great elevation is referred to in &nbsp;Amos 9:3. A much less glowing account of Carmel is given, however, by many travelers whose visit has been later in the year — toward the end of summer or in autumn — and who consequently found everything parched, dry, and brown. (See Hackett's Illustra. of Scripture, p. 324-326.) The western extremity of the ridge — that, unfortunately, with which ordinary travelers are most familiar, and from which they take their impressions — is more bleak than the eastern. Its sides are steep and rocky, scantily covered with dwarf shrubs and aromatic herbs, and having only a few scattered trees here and there in the glens (Crescent and Cross, 1:54 sq.). </p> <p> The structure of Carmel is in the main the [[Jura]] formation (upper oolite), which is prevalent in the center of Western Palestine — a soft white limestone, with nodules and veins of flint. As usual in limestone formations, it abounds in caves ("more than 2000" — Mislin, 2:46), often of great length, and extremely tortuous. (See [[Cave]]). At the west end are found chalk and tertiary breccia formed of fragments of chalk and flint (Russegger, in Ritter, Erdk. 16:712). On the north-east of the mount, beyond the Nahr el-Mokatta, platonic rocks appear, breaking through the deposited strata, and forming the beginning of the basalt formation which runs through the plain of Esdraelon to Tabor and the Sea of [[Galilee]] (Ritter, ib.). The round stones known by the names of "Lapides Judaici" and "Elijah's melons" are the bodies known to geologists as "geodes." Their exterior is chert or flint of a. lightish brown color; the interior is hollow, and lined with crystals of quartz or chalcedony. They are of the form, and often the size, of the large watermelons of the East. Formerly they were easily obtained, but are now very rarely found (Seetzen, 2:131, 134; Parkinson's Organic Remains, 1:322, 451). The "olives" are more common. They are the fossil spines of a kind of echinus (Cidaris glandifera) frequent in these strata, and in size and shape are exactly like the fruit (Parkinson, 3:45). </p> <p> The "apples" are probably the shells of the cidaris itself. For the legend of the origin of these "fruits," and the position of the "field" or "garden" of Elijah in which they are found, see Mislin, 2:64, 65. The whole ridge of Carmel is deeply furrowed with rocky ravines, filled with such dense jungle as scarcely to be penetrable. Here jackals, wolves, hyenas, and wild swine make their lairs, and woodcocks find excellent cover; while in the open forest glades, partridges, quails, and hares sport about. In the sides of the mountain, especially round the convent and overhanging the sea, are great numbers of caves and grottoes, formed partly by nature and partly by art and industry in the soft calcareous rock. Carmel at one period swarmed with monks and hermits, who burrowed in these comfortless dens. [[Curious]] traditions cling to some of them, in part confirmed by the Greek inscriptions and names that may still be traced upon their walls. One of them is called the "Cave of the Sons of the Prophets," and is said to be that in which. the pious Obadiah hid the prophets from the fury of the infamous Jezebel (&nbsp;1 Kings 18:4). In one tract, called the Monks' Cavern, there are as many as 400 caves adjacent to each other, furnished with windows, and with places for sleeping hewn in the rock. A peculiarity of many of these caverns is mentioned by Shulz (Leitung, 5:187, 382), that the entrances into them are so narrow that only a single person can creep in at a time; and that the caverns are so crooked that a person is immediately out of sight unless closely followed. This may serve to illustrate &nbsp;Amos 9:3. To these grottoes the prophets Elijah and Elisha often resorted (&nbsp;1 Kings 18:19 sq., &nbsp;1 Kings 18:42; &nbsp;2 Kings 2:25; &nbsp;2 Kings 4:25; and comp. perhaps &nbsp;1 Kings 18:4; &nbsp;1 Kings 18:13). At the present day is shown a cavern called the cave of Elijah, a little below the Monks' Cavern already mentioned, and which is now a Moslem sanctuary. Upon the northwest summit is anancient establishment of Carmelite monks, which order, indeed, derived its name from this mountain. (See [[Carmelites]]). </p> <p> The order is said in the traditions of the Latin Church to have originated with Elijah himself (St. John of Jerus., quoted in Mislin, 2:49), but the convent was founded by St. Louis, and its French origin is still shown by the practice of unfurling the French flag on various occasions. Edward I of England was a brother of the order, and one of its most famous generals was Simon Stokes of Kent (see the extracts in Wilson's Bible Lands, 2:246; for the convent and the singular legends connecting Mount Carmel With the [[Virgin]] [[Mary]] and our Lord, see Mislin, 2:47-50). By Napoleon it was used as a hospital during the siege of Acre, and after his retreat was destroyed by the Arabs. At the time of Irby and Mangles's visit (1817) only one friar remained there (Irby, p. 60). The old convent was destroyed by Abdallah Pasha, who converted the materials to his own use; but it has of late years been rebuilt on a somewhat imposing scale by the aid of contributions from Europe. Carmel is known by the name of Jebel Kurmul in [[Arabian]] writers. At present it seems to be called by the Arabs Jebel Mar Elyas, from the convent of [[Elias]] near its northern end. (See generally Phil. a S. Trinitate, Oriental. Reisebeschreib. 3:1, p. 156 sq.; Reland, Palaest. p. 32 sq.; Hamesveld, 1:349; Schubert, Reise, 3:205; Robinson, Researches, 3:160, 189; Thomson, Land and Book, 1:493; Porter, Handbook for Syria, p. 371; Tristram, Land of Israel, p. 496.) </p> <p> '''2.''' (Sept. Χερμέλ in Josh., ὁ Κάρμηλος in Sam. and Chron.) A town in the mountainous country of Judah (&nbsp;Joshua 15:55), the residence of Nabal (&nbsp;1 Samuel 25:2; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:5; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:7; &nbsp;1 Samuel 25:40), and the native place of David's favorite wife, "Abigail the Carmelitess" (&nbsp;1 Samuel 27:3; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 3:1). This was doubtless the Carmel at which Saul set up a " place" (יָד, a hand; compare &nbsp;2 Samuel 18:18, "Absalom's place," where the same word is used) after his victory over Amalek (&nbsp;1 Samuel 15:12). This Carmel, and not the northern mount, must also have been the spot at which king Uzziah had his vineyards (&nbsp;2 Chronicles 26:10). In the time of [[Eusebius]] and [[Jerome]] it was the seat of a [[Roman]] garrison (Onomast. s.v. Κάρμηλος, Carmelus). The place appears in the wars of the Crusades, having been held by king Amalrich against [[Saladin]] in 1172 (William of Tyre, De Bello Sacro, 30; in Gesta Dei per Francos, p. 993). The ruins of the town, now Kurmul,' still remain at ten miles below Hebron, in a slightly south-east direction, close to those of Main (Maon), [[Zif]] (Ziph), and other places named with Carmel in &nbsp;Joshua 15:55. They are described both by Robinson (Bib. Res. 2:195-201; Bib. Sacr. 1843, p. 60) and by Van de Velde (Narrative, 2:77-79), and appear to be of great extent. They lie around the semicircular head and along the shelving sides of a little valley, which is shut in by rugged limestone rocks. The houses are all in ruins, and their sites are covered with heaps of rubbish and hewn stones. In the center of the valley is a large artificial reservoir, supplied by a fountain among the neighboring rocks. This is mentioned in the account of king Amalrich's occupation of the place, and now gives the name of Kasr el-Birkeh to a ruined castle of great strength, situated westward of the reservoir, on high ground, the most remarkable object in the place. Its walls are ten feet thick; their sloping basement and bevelled masonry are evidently of Jewish origin, probably the work of Herod. The interior was remodeled, and the upper part rebuilt by the Saracens. Beside it are the ruins of a massive round tower. Around and among the ruins of the locality are the foundations of several old churches, showing that the town had at one period a large [[Christian]] population. (See Seetzen, Reise, 3:8, 9; Porter, Handbook for Syria, p. 61; Schwarz, Palest. p. 106.) (See [[Carmelite]]). </p>

<p> '''''kar´mel''''' ( כּרמל , <i> '''''karmel''''' </i> , or, with article, הכּרמל , <i> '''''ha''''' </i> - <i> '''''karmel''''' </i> , "fruit garden"; Josephus, ὁ Κάρμηλος , <i> '''''ho Kármēlos''''' </i> , Καρμήλιον ὄρος , <i> '''''Karmḗlion óros''''' </i> ): </p> <p> (1) A beautifully wooded mountain range running for about 13 miles in a south-easterly direction from the promontory which drops on the shore of the Mediterranean near Haifa, at the southern extremity of the plain of Acre, to the height of <i> '''''el''''' </i> - <i> '''''Maḥraḳah''''' </i> which overlooks the plain of Esdraelon. On the top of the promontory, at a height of 500 ft. the monastery of Elias stands. From this point there is a gradual ascent until the greatest height is reached at <i> '''''Esfı̄yeh''''' </i> (1,742 ft.), the peak at <i> '''''el''''' </i> - <i> '''''Maḥraḳah''''' </i> being only some 55 ft. lower. The mountain - usually named with the article, "the Carmel" - still justifies its name, "the garden with fruit trees." The steep slopes on the North and East, indeed, afford little scope for cultivation, although trees and brushwood grow abundantly. But to the South and West the mountain falls away to the sea and the plain in a series of long, fertile valleys, where the "excellency" of Carmel finds full illustration today. There are a few springs of good water; but the main supply is furnished by the winter rains, which are caught and stored in great cisterns. The villages on the slopes have a look of prosperity not too often seen in Syria, the rich soil amply rewarding the toil of the husbandmen. [[Oak]] and pine, myrtle and honeysuckle, box and laurel flourish; the sheen of fruitful olives fills many a hollow; and in the time of flowers Carmel is beautiful in a garment of many colors. Evidences of the ancient husbandry which made it famous are found in the cisterns, and the oil and wine presses cut in the surface of the rock. There is probably a reference to the vine culture here in &nbsp;2 Chronicles 26:10 . In the figurative language of Scripture it appears as the symbol of beauty (&nbsp;Song of Solomon 7:5 ), of fruitfulness (&nbsp;Isaiah 35:2 ), of majesty (&nbsp;Jeremiah 46:18 ), of prosperous and happy life (&nbsp;Jeremiah 50:19 ). The languishing of Carmel betokens the vengeance of God upon the land (&nbsp;Nahum 1:4 ); and her decay, utter desolation (&nbsp;Amos 1:2; &nbsp;Isaiah 33:9 ). </p> [[Asylum]] and [[Sanctuary]] <p> [[Roughly]] triangular in form, with plains stretching from its base on each of the three sides, the mountain, with its majestic form and massive bulk, is visible from afar. Its position deprived it of any great value for military purposes. It commanded none of the great highways followed by armies: the passes between Esdraelon and Sharon, to the East of Carmel, furnishing the most convenient paths. But the mountain beckoned the fugitive from afar, and in all ages has offered asylum to the hunted in its caves and wooded glens. Also its remote heights with their spacious outlook over land and sea; its sheltered nooks and embowering groves have been scenes of worship from old time. Here stood an ancient altar of Yahweh (&nbsp;1 Kings 18:30 ). We may assume that there was also a sanctuary of Baal, since the worshippers of these deities chose the place as common ground for the great trim (1 Ki 18). The scene is traditionally located at <i> '''''el''''' </i> - <i> '''''Maḥraḳah''''' </i> , "the place of burnt sacrifice," which is still held sacred by the Druzes. A L atin chapel stands near, with a great cistern. A good spring is found lower down the slope. Just below, on the North bank of the Kishon stands the mound called <i> '''''Tell el''''' </i> - <i> '''''ḳissı̄s''''' </i> , "mound of the priest." From the crest of Carmel Elijah descried the coming storm, and, descending the mountain, ran before the chariot of Ahab to the gate of Jezreel (&nbsp;1 Kings 18:42 ). Under the monastery on the western promontory is a cave, said to be that of Elijah. An older tradition locates the cave of the prophet at <i> '''''ed''''' </i> - <i> '''''Deir''''' </i> , near <i> '''''‛Ain es''''' </i> - <i> '''''Sı̄h''''' </i> . It may have been the scene of the events narrated in &nbsp;2 Kings 1:9 . Elisha also was a familiar visitor to Mt. Carmel. It was within the territory allotted to Asher; in later times it passed into the hands of [[Tyre]] ( <i> BJ </i> , III, iii, 1). </p> <p> (2) A city of Judah, in the uplands near Hebron, named with [[Maon]] and [[Ziph]] (&nbsp;Joshua 15:55 ). Here Saul for some reason not stated set up a monument or trophy (&nbsp;1 Samuel 15:12; literally "hand"). It was the home of Nabal the churlish and drunken flockmaster, whose widow Abigail David married (1 Sam 25); and also of Hezro, one of David's mighty men (&nbsp;2 Samuel 23:35; &nbsp;1 Chronicles 11:37 ). It is represented by the modern <i> '''''el''''' </i> - <i> '''''Karmil''''' </i> , about 10 miles to the Southeast of Hebron. <i> '''''Karmil''''' </i> is the pronunciation given me by several natives this spring. There are considerable ruins, the most outstanding feature being square tower dating from the 12th century, now going swiftly to ruin. There are also caves, tombs and a large reservoir. </p>