Lexical Summary Chermonim: Hermons Original Word: חֶרְמוֹנִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance the Hermonites Plural of Chermown; Hermons, i.e. Its peaks -- the Hermonites. see HEBREW Chermown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originpl. of Chermon, q.v. NASB Translation Hermon (1). Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Mount Hermon is the majestic snow-capped massif that crowns the northern limit of the Promised Land. Rising to more than 9,000 feet (2,800 m), its triple summits and extensive ridges collect moisture that feeds the headwaters of the Jordan River. The plural form found in Psalm 42:6, “the heights of Hermon”, evokes the various ridges and peaks that compose this sprawling range. The mountain’s visibility from great distances made it a natural landmark for Israel’s territory (Deuteronomy 3:8; Joshua 11:17). Biblical Context of Psalm 42:6 Psalm 42 is a lament by the sons of Korah, probably voiced during exile from the sanctuary. Feeling cut off from corporate worship, the psalmist anchors his memory in three locations: “the land of Jordan,” “the heights of Hermon,” and “Mount Mizar.” Mentioning the remote northern heights intensifies the sense of separation from Zion, yet also affirms that the Lord’s presence transcends geography. The psalmist chooses the northernmost extremity of the land to highlight that God is still to be remembered even at the furthest edge of covenant territory. Historical and Cultural Significance 1. Border Fortress: In the conquest narratives Hermon marks Israel’s frontier against Bashan and Phoenicia (Deuteronomy 4:48; Judges 3:3). Its rugged terrain provided a natural defense and helped define the national identity that the psalmist nostalgically recalls. Theological Themes • God’s Omnipresence: By citing the far-flung Hermon peaks, the psalmist confesses that the Lord is not confined to Jerusalem’s temple. Connections to Other Scripture • Psalm 133:3 links the “dew of Hermon” with the unity of God’s people, suggesting that the blessing symbolized on the northern mountain is realized when brethren gather in worship. Ministry Implications 1. Encouragement for the Displaced: Believers separated from corporate assembly can take comfort that God remembers them “from the heights of Hermon.” Devotional Reflection When the soul feels exiled—geographically, emotionally, or spiritually—the solitary peaks of Hermon remind us that God is as present on the margin as He is in the sanctuary. The psalmist’s deliberate recollection turns a distant mountain into an altar of hope, modeling the discipline of bringing every wilderness back under the gaze of the living God. Forms and Transliterations וְ֝חֶרְמוֹנִ֗ים וחרמונים vechermoNim wə·ḥer·mō·w·nîm wəḥermōwnîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 42:6 HEB: מֵאֶ֣רֶץ יַרְדֵּ֑ן וְ֝חֶרְמוֹנִ֗ים מֵהַ֥ר מִצְעָֽר׃ NAS: of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount KJV: of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill INT: the land of the Jordan of Hermon Mount Mizar 1 Occurrence |
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