Lexical Summary Karmel: Carmel Original Word: כַּרְמֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Carmel, fruitful plentiful field, place The same as karmel; Karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in Palestine -- Carmel, fruitful (plentiful) field, (place). see HEBREW karmel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as kerem Definition a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a city near Hebron NASB Translation Carmel (22). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. כַּרְמֶל proper name, of a mountain and city Carmel: — 1 mountain-promontory on Mediterranean, with fertile slopes, Tel el-Amarna (Ginti-) Kirmil, JastrJBL xi. 1892, 115; Joshua 19:26, ׳הַרהַֿכּ 1 Kings 18:19,20; 2 Kings 2:25; 2 Kings 4:25; ׳ראֹשׁ הַכּ Amos 1:2; Amos 9:3; 1 Kings 18:42; with article also Joshua 12:22; and, + בָּשָׁן, Jeremiah 50:19, as pasturage (in figurative of Israel as flock of ׳י), compare (׳כ without article) Micah 7:14 (less probably rend. garden-land, I. כַּרְמִל, so We GASm); ׳הַכּ Isaiah 35:2 ( + הַלְּבָּנוֺן הַשָּׁרוֺן) ׳כ Isaiah 33:9 (+ לְבָנוֺן הַשָּׁרוֺן and בָּשָׁן, marking extent of land), Nahum 1:4 (+ לְבָנוֺן בָּשָׁן); כְּכַרְמֶל בַּיָּם Jeremiah 46:18 (simile of Nebuchadnezzar); Cant 7:6 ׳ראֹשֵׁךְ עָלַיִךְ כַּכּ (but see כַּרְמִיל); — on Carmel see GASmG. 337 ff. BuhlG. 23. 2 city, 3 h. south of Hebron, כַּרְמֶל Joshua 15:55; ׳בַּכּ 1 Samuel 25:2 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 25:7; כַּרְמֶ֫לָה 1 Samuel 25:5 (= to Carmel); הַכַּרְמֶ֫לָה 1 Samuel 15:12; 1 Samuel 25:40. — Modern Kurmul, Rob BR i. 492-498, ii. 97 BuhlG. 163. Topical Lexicon Geographical SettingCarmel denotes both a prominent coastal mountain ridge in the north of Israel and a town in the hill country of Judah. The ridge rises sharply from the Mediterranean, forming a natural barrier between the Plain of Sharon and the Jezreel Valley. Its highest crest reaches about 1,750 feet (530 m) above sea level, commanding sweeping views of sea and land. The Judahite town of Carmel lies roughly ten miles south-southeast of Hebron on a spur of the Judean highlands. Agricultural Richness The underlying Hebrew idea is that of luxuriant cultivation. Ancient writers praised Mount Carmel for heavy dewfall, dense woods, and terraced fields. Even today the western slopes catch moisture-laden Mediterranean winds, supporting vineyards, olive groves, and evergreen oak. Scripture repeatedly uses “Carmel” as shorthand for fertile bounty: • “The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon.” (Isaiah 35:2) Conversely, prophetic judgments portray its withering as a sign that everything fruitful has dried up (Isaiah 33:9; Nahum 1:4; Amos 1:2). Carmel of Judah Joshua records Carmel among the cities allotted to Judah (Joshua 15:55). Later, two significant narratives unfold there: 1. Saul’s Monument (1 Samuel 15:12). After disobeying the Lord in his campaign against Amalek, Saul stopped in Carmel to erect a monument to himself. The contrast between Saul’s self-glorification and Samuel’s denunciation highlights Carmel as a backdrop for exposing pride and empty religiosity. 2. David, Nabal, and Abigail (1 Samuel 25). Nabal’s large-scale shearing enterprise shows the district’s pastoral productivity. David’s respectful request, Nabal’s churlish refusal, Abigail’s intervention, and David’s acceptance of divine restraint all play out “in Carmel,” underscoring how daily business can become the stage for God’s moral dealings. The town’s earliest mention in Joshua and its continued prominence into David’s era suggest a stable Judahite settlement whose fields and sheepfolds fed the southern kingdom. Mount Carmel in the Northern Kingdom 1. Elijah’s Contest. Mount Carmel’s most celebrated moment is Elijah’s showdown with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:19-42). The prophet chose the mountain precisely because Baal worshipers claimed it as sacred high ground. By calling down fire on a rain-starved ridge and then praying the drought-breaking storm in view of the sea, Elijah demonstrated that the Lord—and not the Canaanite storm-god—controls both fire and rain. The site thus became a perpetual testimony that “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39). 2. Elisha’s Retreat. Elisha frequented Carmel after Elijah’s ascension (2 Kings 2:25; 4:25). It functioned as a place of intercession and revelation, where the man of God could withdraw yet remain accessible to those who sought the Lord’s word (as the Shunammite woman did). 3. Royal Imagery. Jeremiah pictures Nebuchadnezzar’s advance “like Tabor among the mountains and like Carmel by the sea” (Jeremiah 46:18), using the mountain’s unmistakable silhouette to symbolize irresistible approach. Poetic and Wisdom Allusions Song of Solomon employs Carmel’s grandeur to express bridal beauty: “Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel” (Song of Solomon 7:5). The comparison conveys both altitude (exalted dignity) and verdant loveliness. Isaiah and Micah alike combine Carmel with Sharon, Bashan, and Lebanon to evoke the choicest ecosystems of the land. Prophetic Motifs of Judgment and Restoration • Judgment: – “The summit of Carmel withers.” (Amos 1:2) – “Bashan and Carmel wither.” (Nahum 1:4) Drying up the most renowned fertile zone signals total divine displeasure. • Restoration: – “They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of Carmel.” (Isaiah 35:2) – “Shepherd Your people… in a forest of Carmel.” (Micah 7:14) The same locale becomes a symbol of renewed vitality when covenant faithfulness is restored. Military and Administrative Significance Joshua lists a Canaanite king of “Jokneam in Carmel” (Joshua 12:22), indicating that the ridge controlled key trade routes. Later, the tribal boundary of Asher “touched Carmel on the west” (Joshua 19:26). Uzziah’s agricultural expansion into “fertile lands” (2 Chronicles 26:10) very likely includes Carmel’s productive terraces, reflecting royal exploitation of prime real estate for the kingdom’s food security. Refuge and Pursuit Amos declares, “Though they hide themselves on the summit of Carmel, from there I will track them down” (Amos 9:3). The caves and dense growth offered literal hiding places, yet none can escape divine omnipresence. In redemptive history, the mountain that once showcased God’s fire also exposes those who imagine they can elude His gaze. Christological and Eschatological Echoes Elijah’s fire-swept altar foreshadows the definitive revelation of God’s power and acceptance through a perfect sacrifice. As fire fell on the offering, so judgment fell on Christ, ending drought of grace and inaugurating spiritual abundance. The prophetic promise that Carmel will blossom (Isaiah 35:2) anticipates the messianic age when deserts rejoice and the knowledge of the Lord covers the earth. Lessons for Ministry Today 1. Contest of Allegiance: Carmel challenges believers to decisive commitment. Like Israel on that height, wavering between two opinions is untenable when confronted with God’s self-authentication. 2. Spiritual Fruitfulness: The prophets’ imagery teaches that true fertility—whether personal character or corporate ministry—flourishes only under divine favor. Withering Carmel warns against substituting outward luxuriance for covenant fidelity. 3. Humble Service: Saul’s self-exalting monument at Carmel contrasts sharply with Abigail’s humble appeal and Elijah’s solitary obedience. The locale invites reflection on whose glory we seek. 4. Prayer and Persistence: Elijah’s posture on Carmel, face between knees until the seventh cloud appeared, models persevering intercession that prevails in God’s timing. Summary Across narrative, poetry, and prophecy, Carmel stands as a living parable: a place of lavish provision, a battleground of competing deities, a hideout rendered useless by omnipotent pursuit, and a pledge of coming restoration. From Joshua’s conquest to prophetic vision, it consistently magnifies the Lord’s sovereign rule over land, king, climate, idol, and heart. Forms and Transliterations בְּכַרְמֶל֙ בַּכַּרְמֶֽל׃ בַכַּרְמֶ֗ל בכרמל בכרמל׃ הַכַּרְמֶ֑ל הַכַּרְמֶ֑לָה הַכַּרְמֶ֔ל הַכַּרְמֶ֖ל הַכַּרְמֶ֙לָה֙ הַכַּרְמֶֽל׃ הַכַּרְמֶל֙ הכרמל הכרמל׃ הכרמלה וְכַרְמֶ֔ל וְכַרְמֶֽל׃ וּבַכַּרְמֶ֔ל וּכְכַרְמֶ֖ל ובכרמל וככרמל וכרמל וכרמל׃ כַּכַּרְמֶ֔ל כַּרְמֶ֑ל כַּרְמֶ֖ל כַרְמֶ֙לָה֙ ככרמל כרמל כרמלה לַכַּרְמֶ֖ל לכרמל bak·kar·mel ḇak·kar·mel bakkarmel ḇakkarmel bə·ḵar·mel becharMel bəḵarmel charMelah hak·kar·me·lāh hak·kar·mel hakkarmel hakkarMelah hakkarmelāh kak·kar·mel kakkarmel ḵar·me·lāh kar·mel karmel ḵarmelāh lak·kar·mel lakkarmel ū·ḇak·kar·mel ū·ḵə·ḵar·mel ūḇakkarmel uchecharMel ūḵəḵarmel uvakkarMel vakkarMel vecharMel wə·ḵar·mel wəḵarmelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 12:22 HEB: מֶֽלֶךְ־ יָקְנֳעָ֥ם לַכַּרְמֶ֖ל אֶחָֽד׃ NAS: the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; KJV: the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one; INT: the king of Jokneam Carmel one Joshua 15:55 Joshua 19:26 1 Samuel 15:12 1 Samuel 25:2 1 Samuel 25:2 1 Samuel 25:5 1 Samuel 25:7 1 Samuel 25:40 1 Kings 18:19 1 Kings 18:20 1 Kings 18:42 2 Kings 2:25 2 Kings 4:25 2 Chronicles 26:10 Songs 7:5 Isaiah 33:9 Isaiah 35:2 Jeremiah 46:18 Jeremiah 50:19 Amos 1:2 Amos 9:3 Micah 7:14 Nahum 1:4 24 Occurrences |
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