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Mount Carmel

Illustration of Mount Carmel

Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel that serves as the setting for one of the most dramatic confrontations between the prophet Elijah and the prophets of the Canaanite god Baal. During a time of widespread idolatry under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, Elijah gathered the people of Israel on the mountain to witness a contest where 450 prophets of Baal attempted to summon fire from their deity to burn a sacrifice, only to fail repeatedly. In contrast, Elijah's prayer to the God of Israel resulted in fire descending from heaven, consuming the offering and proving the power of the true God, which led to the execution of the false prophets and the end of a three-year drought. This event holds significant importance in Scripture as it reaffirms monotheistic faith, highlights God's sovereignty, and underscores the role of prophets in calling Israel back to covenant faithfulness.

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Details

Region
Canaan
Modern Location
Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel
Strongest connections in Scripture

Journey Paths

Ahab's Journey

Jezreel โ†’ Mount Carmel

Elijah's Journey

Mount Carmel โ†’ Jordan River โ†’ Jezreel

Key Passages

Elijah vs. Prophets of Baal

1 Kings 18:20-40

Elijah's dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel forces Israel to choose - God answers with fire from heaven, decisively proving His reality against Baal's silence.

S20o Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baalโ€™s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then 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 that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

Did You Know?

1

Elijah's contest with the 450 prophets of Baal took place on Mount Carmel.

2

The mountain overlooks the Jezreel Valley where many believe Armageddon will occur.

3

Carmel means 'vineyard of God'. It was known for its lush fertility.