About Mount Hermon

Mount Hermon is a mountain cluster with three distinct summits, constituting the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range, straddling the border of Syria and Lebanon. At 2,814m above sea level, it is the highest point in Syria and home to the highest UN base in the world, Hotel Hermon. It is also the strategic high ground overlooking Lebanon, Syria and Israel.

Mount Hermon inside Israel’s Borders

The southern slopes of Mount Hermon came under Israeli control following the Six Day War in 1967. The highest point inside Israel’s border is Mizpe Shelagim, the “snow conservatory”, at 2,223m, the only place with snow skiing in the country. Water from the melting snow is the main source of water for the Jordan River.

Biblical History

Mount Hermon was first mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:8 in which Moses described the land the Israelites took after the defeat of King Og of Bashan. Mount Hermon was called Senir by the Amorites and Sirion by the Sidonians (Deuteronomy 3:9). Mount Hermon is also noted for its dew (Psalm 133:3) and its height (Psalm 42:6).

Mount of Transfiguration

Mount Hermon is near Caesarea Philippi from where He went up a high mountain (Matthew 17:1). Many believe that Mount Hermon is by far the most likely location of the Mount of Transfiguration.

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