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Hermon A peak, the eastern prolongation of the Anti-Lebanon range, reaching to the height
of about 9,200 feet above the Mediterranean. It marks the north boundary of Palestine (Deu 3:8, Deu 4:48; Jos 11:3, Jos 11:17; Jos 13:11; Jos 12:1), and is seen from a great distance. It is about 40 miles north of the Sea of
Galilee. It is called "the Hermonites" (Psa 42:6) because it has more than one summit. The Sidonians called it Sirion, and the
Amorites Shenir (Deu 3:9; Sol 4:8). It is also called Baal-hermon (Jdg 3:3; Ch1 5:23) and Sion (Deu 4:48). There is every probability that one of its three summits was the scene of the
transfiguration (q.v.). The "dew of Hermon" is referred to (Psa 89:12). Its modern name is Jebel-esh-Sheikh, "the chief mountain." It is one of the
most conspicuous mountains in Palestine or Syria. "In whatever part of Palestine the Israelite turned his eye northward, Hermon
was there, terminating the view. From the plain along the coast, from the Jordan valley, from the heights of Moab and Gilead,
from the plateau of Bashan, the pale, blue, snow-capped cone forms the one feature in the northern horizon." Our Lord and
his disciples climbed this "high mountain apart" one day, and remained on its summit all night, "weary after their long and
toilsome ascent." During the night "he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun." The next day they
descended to Caesarea Philippi.
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