Topical Encyclopedia
Mountain-tops hold significant symbolic and literal importance throughout the Bible, serving as places of divine revelation, worship, and pivotal events in the narrative of God's interaction with humanity. These elevated locations often represent closeness to God, spiritual insight, and moments of transformation.
Divine Encounters and RevelationMountain-tops are frequently depicted as sites where God reveals Himself to His people. One of the most notable examples is Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. In
Exodus 19:20, it is written, "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up." This event underscores the mountain as a place of divine law-giving and covenant establishment.
Similarly, the prophet Elijah experienced God's presence on Mount Horeb. In
1 Kings 19:11-12, Elijah encounters a gentle whisper after a series of dramatic natural events, illustrating the mountain as a place of intimate communication with God.
Worship and SacrificeMountains are also significant as places of worship and sacrifice. Abraham's journey to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah (
Genesis 22:2) is a profound act of faith and obedience. This event foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and highlights the mountain as a place of testing and divine provision.
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, traditionally identified with Mount Moriah, becomes the central place of worship for the Israelites. Solomon's construction of the temple on this site (
2 Chronicles 3:1) establishes it as a focal point for worship and the presence of God among His people.
Transfiguration and New Testament SignificanceIn the New Testament, mountain-tops continue to serve as significant locations for divine revelation. The Transfiguration of Jesus occurs on a high mountain, traditionally identified as Mount Tabor. In
Matthew 17:1-2, it is recorded, "After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them." This event reveals Christ's divine glory and affirms His identity as the Son of God.
The Sermon on the Mount, delivered by Jesus in
Matthew 5-7, is another pivotal moment that takes place on a mountain. Here, Jesus provides foundational teachings for His followers, emphasizing the mountain as a place of authoritative teaching and spiritual insight.
Symbolism and Eschatological HopeMountains often symbolize stability, permanence, and the eternal nature of God's kingdom. In
Psalm 125:2, it is written, "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore." This imagery conveys God's protection and enduring presence with His people.
In prophetic literature, mountains are associated with eschatological hope and the coming of God's kingdom.
Isaiah 2:2 proclaims, "In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it." This vision anticipates a time when God's rule will be universally recognized and His peace will prevail.
ConclusionThroughout the biblical narrative, mountain-tops serve as crucial settings for divine encounters, worship, and revelation. They symbolize spiritual elevation, closeness to God, and the hope of His eternal kingdom. As such, they remain powerful symbols of faith, transformation, and divine presence in the lives of believers.
Library
Chapter viii
... 6. And the waters remained, decreasing continually, until the tenth month, and in
the tenth month, on the first day of the month, themountain tops came into...
Preface.
... As surely as the valleys lie hid in shadow long after themountain-tops are shining
in the morning sun, so surely must we expect evidences of so elevated a...
A Foreword
... Not only have they stood on themountain tops of the spiritual life, but they have
pointed out, with a clearness surpassed by no other writers, the path of...
The Further Adventures of Saint George.
... No sooner had the blushing morn displayed her beauties in the east, and gilded with
her radiant beams themountain tops, than Sabra repaired to the Champion's...
The Quiet Hour Series
... By HENRY OSTROM. The Life Beyond. By MRS. ALFRED GATTY.Mountain Tops with Jesus.
THEODORE L. CUYLER. The Hidden Years of Nazareth. G. CAMPBELL MORGAN....
I an African Free-Town Subject to Rome
... But towards the south the verdure grows sparse; aridmountain-tops appear, crushed
down as blunted cones, or jutted in slim Tables of the Law; the sterility of...
The Temptation in the Wilderness.
... Would what he said to God on themountain-tops, in the dim twilight or the gray
dawn, never be such that his disciples could have understood it no more than...
The Practical Side of Religion
... There the soul reaches heights and depths such as it reaches at no other time.
Preachers love to preach and poets love to sing of themountain-tops of life....
The Impending Judgment
... The intervening centuries lay out like a plain country between twomountain tops,
and did not break the vista, as the eye passed from the judgment of the...
Infinite God
... We ne'er can to the light attain. II. Beyond themountain tops that rise,. Still
higher altitudes appear; Climb as we may, we come not near....
Thesaurus
Mountaintops (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Mountaintops (4 Occurrences). Isaiah 42:11 Let
the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice
...Mountain-tops (2 Occurrences)
Mountain-tops.Mountaintops,Mountain-tops. Mountain-watch . Multi-Version
Concordance... (BBE).Mountaintops,Mountain-tops. Mountain-watch . Reference Bible
Barren (44 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 41:18 I will make rivers on the drymountain-tops, and fountains in the valleys:
I will make the waste land a pool of water, and the dry land springs of...
Nest (22 Occurrences)
... thy nest is set in the rock." Here Balaam was thinking of the nest of an eagle,
hawk or vulture, placed on solid rock among impregnable crags ofmountaintops....
Ga'al (8 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:36 And when Ga'al saw the men, he said to Zebul, "Look, men are coming
down from themountaintops!" And Zebul said to him, "You see the shadow of the...
Mountain-watch (1 Occurrence)
Mountain-watch.Mountain-tops, Mountain-watch. Mounted . Multi-Version Concordance...
(DBY).Mountain-tops, Mountain-watch. Mounted . Reference Bible.
Mountain-top (3 Occurrences)
Mountain-top. Mountaintop, Mountain-top.Mountaintops . Multi-Version Concordance...
(DBY). Mountaintop, Mountain-top.Mountaintops . Reference Bible.
Aryan
... The place of punishment was Dzhokhk'h (= Persian Duzakh). To the sun and
moon sacrifices were offered on themountain-tops. Rivers...
Shepherd (76 Occurrences)
... water is not accessible to them. On themountaintops the melting snows
supply the needed water. In other districts it is drawn...
Roads (34 Occurrences)
... the light. They will get food by the way wherever they go, and have
grass-lands on all the drymountain-tops. (See NAS NIV). Isaiah...
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