Topical Encyclopedia The Mount of Olives, also known as Olivet, is a significant geographical and spiritual landmark located east of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley. This ridge of hills, which rises to about 2,710 feet above sea level, has been a site of profound biblical events and holds deep eschatological significance.Biblical Significance: 1. Old Testament References: · The Mount of Olives is first mentioned in 2 Samuel 15:30, where King David ascends the mount, weeping as he flees from his son Absalom. This event underscores the mount's role as a place of refuge and lamentation. · In Zechariah 14:4, the Mount of Olives is prophesied to play a pivotal role in the eschatological future: "On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south." 2. New Testament Events: · The Mount of Olives is frequently mentioned in the Gospels as a place where Jesus spent time teaching and praying. It is notably the location of the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks about the end times (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21). · Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem began from the Mount of Olives (Mark 11:1-10). This event fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 and marked the beginning of the Passion Week. · The Garden of Gethsemane, located on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives, is where Jesus prayed fervently before His arrest (Matthew 26:36-46). This site is a profound symbol of submission and obedience to God's will. · After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives, as recorded in Acts 1:9-12. This event is a cornerstone of Christian faith, affirming Jesus' divine authority and the promise of His return. Theological Implications: The Mount of Olives holds a unique place in Christian eschatology. It is associated with the Second Coming of Christ, as prophesied in Zechariah and alluded to in Acts 1:11, where the angels declare that Jesus will return "in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven." This promise imbues the mount with a sense of anticipation and hope for believers. Cultural and Historical Context: Throughout history, the Mount of Olives has been a site of pilgrimage and reverence. Its olive groves have been a source of sustenance and symbolism, representing peace and anointing. The mount's proximity to Jerusalem has made it a strategic location in various historical conflicts, yet it remains a place of spiritual reflection and expectation. In summary, the Mount of Olives is a multifaceted symbol within the biblical narrative, representing both historical events and future hope. Its presence in Scripture as a place of prayer, prophecy, and divine encounter continues to inspire and challenge believers to live in anticipation of God's unfolding plan. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Mount of OlivesMOUNT OF OLIVES See OLIVES, MOUNT OF; JERUSALEM. Smith's Bible Dictionary Mount Of Olives"The Mount of Olives" occurs in the Old Testament in (Zechariah 14:4) only. In (2 Samuel 15:30) it is called "Olivet;" in other places simply "the mount," (Nehemiah 8:15) "the mount facing Jerusalem" (1 Kings 11:7) or "the mountain which is on the east aide of the city." (Ezekiel 11:23) In the New Testament the usual form is "the Mount of Olives." It is called also "Olivet." (Acts 1:12) This mountain is the well-known eminence on the east of Jerusalem, intimately connected with some of the gravest events of the history of the Old Testament and the New Testament, the scene of the flight of David and the triumphal progress of the Son of David, of the idolatry-of Solomon, and the agony and betrayal of Christ. It is a ridge of rather more than a mile in length, running in general direction north and south, covering the whole eastern side of the city. At its northern end the ridge bends round to the west so as to form an enclosure to the city on that side also. On the north a space of nearly a mile of tolerably level surface intervenes between the walls of the city and the rising ground; on the east the mount is close to the walls, parted only by the narrow ravine of the Kidron. It is this portion which is the real Mount of Olives of the history. In general height it is not very much above-the city: 300 feet higher than the temple mount, hardly more than 100 above the so-called Zion. It is rounded, swelling and regular in form. Proceeding from north to south there occur four independent summits, called -- 1, "Viri Galilaei:" 2, "Mount of Ascension;" 3, "Prophets" --subordinate to the last and almost a part of it; 4, "Mount of Offence."
ATS Bible Dictionary Mount Of OlivesEzekiel 11:23, called also OLIVET, 2 Samuel 15:30, a ridge running north and south on the east side of Jerusalem, its summit about half a mile from the city wall, and separated from it by the valley of the Kidron. It is composed of chalky limestone, the rocks everywhere showing themselves. The olive-trees that formerly covered it, and gave it its name, are now represented by a few trees and clumps of trees which ages of desolation have not eradicated. There are three prominent summits on the ridge; of these the southernmost, which is lower than the other two, is now known as the "Mount of Corruption," because Solomon defiled it by idolatrous worship, 1 Kings 11:5-7 2 Kings 23:13. Over this ridge passes the road to Bethany, the most frequented road to Jericho and the Jordan. The sides of the Mount of Olives towards the west contain many tombs, cut in the rocks. The central summit rises two hundred feet above Jerusalem, and presents a fine view of the city, and indeed of the whole region, including the mountains of Ephraim on the north, the valley of the Jordan on the east, a part of the Dead Sea on the southeast, and beyond it Kerak in the mountains of Moab. Perhaps no spot on earth unites so fine a view, with so many memorials of the most solemn and important events. Over this hill the Savior often climbed in his journey to and from the holy city. Gethsemane lay at its foot on the west, and Bethany on its eastern slope, Matthew 24:3 Mark 13:3. It was probably near Bethany, and not as tradition says on the middle summit, that our lord ascended to heaven, Luke 24:50 Acts 1:12, though superstition has built the "Church of the Ascension" on the pretended spot, and shows the print of his feet on the rock whence he ascended! From the summit, three days before his death, he beheld Jerusalem, and wept over it, recalling the long ages of his more than parental care and grieving over its approaching ruin. Scarcely any thing in the gospels moves the heart more than this natural and touching scene. No one can doubt that it was God who there spoke; his retrospect, his predictions of his future judgments in the earth, Zechariah 14:4. See view of the central summit in GETHSEMANE. Also SEPULCHRES. Greek 1638. elaion -- an olive orchard, ie spec. the Mt. of Olives ... Cognate: 1638 (from 1636, "an olive tree") -- properly, the of olive trees (an olive orchard), referring to the Mount of Olives (J. Thayer) -- the mountain ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1638.htm - 7k 1636. elaia -- an olive (the tree or the fruit) 1068. Gethsemani -- Gethsemane, an olive orchard on the Mt. of ... Library On the Mount of Olives Mount Olivet. The Mount of Olives, 2 Samuel 15:30 At Night, Jesus Abode on the Mount of Olives An Evening on the Mount of Olives. Of the Harmony Subsisting Between the Three Evangelists in their ... Christ Appears for the Last Time Near Jerusalem, on the Mount of ... The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ... Of the Erection of Churches in Bethlehem, and on the Mount of ... Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week-On the Mount of Olives ... The Memorable Hymn. "And when they had Sung an Hymn, they Went Out ... Resources What is the significance of Mount Tabor in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Mount of Transfiguration? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Mount Ebal in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Mount: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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