::    Introduction    ::

What does the Bible say about Lebanon, what picture does it give to this great geographical and natural spot, locating between the waters and the desert, and what does it say to its people who have established one of the greatest commercial and civilized empire in the Old Testament?

Lebanon's roots go far beyond those of a country whose borders were defined as a result of divisions made after World War II. Being home to the Phoenicians for thousands of years, Lebanon was the cradle of a great civilization. The fact that its name, landscapes and inhabitants are mentioned several times in the Old Testament and the New Testament emphasizes its character as a sacred land, a holy ground in the sight of God. Lebanon has been mentioned in the Bible 70 times, cedars 75 times, City of Tyre 59 times, Sidon 50 times, etc…. Moreover, the bible states around 35 cities and villages as well as 10 areas that are all situated in Lebanon. The Bible talks about 10 Lebanese characters (both males and females), and extra-canonical literature speaks about Lebanon in ten cases. The Old Testament is full of praise for Lebanon's natural beauty and resources. The cedars of Lebanon were the most precious and costly wood desired by rulers of the surrounding countries. Lebanon's role in the history of salvation becomes even more evident in the writings of New Testament authors. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, visited the Phoenician cities along Lebanon's coast, preached to its people, and healed the sick.

The bible, in addition to being the Word of God, has recorded various facts about Lebanon and its history that could not have been known otherwise. It has filled in the gaps in Lebanon’s history.

• For example, on a historical level we know that Jesus had Phoenician blood running through His veins. Athaliah, daughter of Jezebel (daughter of the King of Tyre) was one of His grandmothers.

• On a geographical level, Lebanon, named "the white one" by the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 18:14) because snow covered it most of the year and is filled with cedars along with its sweet odor, is a long mountain range extending over a distance of about 160 km from southwest to northeast along the Mediterranean coast. It comprises two parallel mountain ranges, western and eastern. Enclosed between the two mountain ranges lies the Beqaa’ Valley.
  
  
• On the eschatological level, Lebanon was seen as a little heaven in the eyes of prophets, especially Isaiah.

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::    Chapter 1    ::

I - Origin of the name “Lebanon” :

The Hebrew name for Lebanon in the Old Testament is “Levanon”, and the Greek name is “Libanos”.

The etymological origin of the name "Lebanon" is explained in several ways.

• Some consider that the word “Lebanon” in Hebrew is derived from the word “lbn” which means white. It is reasonable to assume that the almost permanent "white snow" on the top of the mountain suggested such a name, "Does the snow of Lebanon ever leave the rocks of its slopes?" (Jeremiah 18:14).
• Others consider that the word “Lebanon” in Hebrew is derived from the word “lebona” which means frankincense and is considered one of the most precious kinds of incense or fragrance. This suggestion is based on the fact that the Greek pronunciation, which translates into “Lebanon” in the Old Testaments of the 70’s translation, is “Libanos” which means incense or fragrance. It is reasonable to assume that the famous cedars of Lebanon, along with cypress and juniper, could have been the source of the name of the country.
• The book of Hosea states: “His branches shall spread; his beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.” (14:6).The Song of Solomon also mentions: “O my spouse…the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.”
• According to “A Greek-English lexicon of the N.T.”, Bauer- Arndt- Gingrich, the Greek word “Libanos” means incense and white simultaneously. Moreover, the word “Libanos” was used in the Greek scripture of the New Testament. It was found as the following:
  
  

1. Frankincense:
   
   The word “Libanos” was found twice in the New Testament holding the meaning of frankincense. First in Matthew 2:11 where the wise men came to Jesus “and when they had opened the treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Second in Revelation 18:13.
   
   
2. Pure, fine:
   
   “Libanos” was found in that meaning twice, in Revelation 1:15 and 2:18. In those two verses “libanos” was originally written as “khalkolibanon” which means fine brass or pure, a synonym to white.

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II - The name “Lebanon” and its geographic location:

The name “Lebanon” was used in the books of the Bible referring to the following sites:

1. Mount Hermon (Sheikh mountain):
   
   Review the following verses: Deuteronomy 1:7, 3:25, 11:24. Joshua 1:4, 11:17, 12:7, 13:5-6. 1 Kings 9:19. Song of Solomon 4:8 and 15, 5:15, 7:4. Jeremiah 18:14, 22:6 and 20. Nahum 1:4.
   
   
2. Eastern mountain range including Mount Hermon:
   
   Review the following verses: Deuteronomy 1:7. Joshua 1:4, 13:5.  Judges 3:3. Psalms 29:6.
   
   
3. Mount Barook and the Western mountain range:
   
   Review the following verses: 1 Kings 5:9 and 14. Ezra 3:7. Psalms 29:6. Ezekiel 27:5.

III - The name “Lebanon” and its metaphorical use:

Lebanon consists of a marvelous environment, as well as high mountains, and rich forests. Lebanon thus, has been used metaphorically, describing various elements concerning it and its nature. Here are some examples:

1. Forest of Lebanon:
   
   Review the following verses: 2 Chronicles 2:8. Psalms 72:16. Song of Solomon 3:9, 5:15. Isaiah 10:34. 29:17, 33:9, 35:2, 40:16, 60:13. Ezekiel 31:16. Nahum 1:4. Habakkuk 2:17/
   
   
2. Cedars of Lebanon:
   
   Review the following verses: Song of Solomon 3:9. Isaiah 35:2, 60:13. Ezekiel 31:16. Hosea 14:5.
   
   
3. Lebanon’s mountain tops covered with snow:
   
   Review the following verses: Psalms 72:16. Song of Solomon 4:15, 5:15.
   
   
4. Lebanon’s fragrance like frankincense:
   
   Review the following verses: Song of Solomon 4:11. Hosea 14:6.
   
   
5. Huge and high mountain:
   
   Review the following verses: 1 Kings 4:33. 2 Kings 19:23. Psalms 29:6. Isaiah 37:24.
   
   
6. Towering heights:
   
   Review the following verses: 2 Kings 19:23. Isaiah 2:13, 10:33 and 34, 37:24. Jeremiah 22:23. Zechariah 11:1.
   
   

 

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IV- Figurative use of Lebanon and its mountains:

Three figurative languages were used in the bible referring to Lebanon or its mountains.

1. King’s forest:
   
   Lebanon was considered a forest belonging to the kings of Persia. Consider Nehemiah 2:7 and 8 as well as Ezra 3:7. Review “Asaph” in the section: Characters from Lebanon.
   
   
2. Pride of Jordan:
   
   It refers to Mount Hermon which was also called Lebanon. Review Zechariah 11:1 and 3.
   
   
3. Mountain:
   
   It refers to Mount Barook in Lebanon, land of the cedars. Review Haggai 1:8 as well as Ezra 3:7, and 1Kings 5:14.

 

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V - The name “Lebanon” and its symbolic use:

Prophets of the Old Testament used several words symbolically to describe or talk about something. Of those names was Lebanon, which was used to symbolize:

1. City of Jerusalem:
   
   Review the following verses: Jeremiah 22:23, Ezekiel 17:3, 4, and 12. Habakkuk 2:17.
   
   
2. The great ones of Assyria:
   
   Review: Isaiah 10:33 and 34.
   
   

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VI - The name “Lebanon” and what was related to it:

1. Valley of Lebanon: Joshua 11:17, 12:7.
   
   
2. Mount Lebanon: Judges 3:3
   
   
3. Cedars of Lebanon: Judges 9:15. Psalms 29:5, 104:16. 2 Kings 19:23. Isaiah 2:13, 14:8, 37:24. Jeremiah 22:7.
   
   
4. Woods of Lebanon: 2 Chronicles 2:8. Song of Solomon 3:9.
   
   
5. House of the Forest of Lebanon: 1 Kings 7:2, 10:17 and 21.
   
   
6. Limits of Lebanon: 2 Kings 19:23. Isaiah 37:24.
   
   
7. Fragrance of Lebanon: Song of Solomon 4:11. Hosea 14:6.
   
   
8. Tower of Lebanon: Song of Solomon 7:4.
   
   
9. Glory of Lebanon: Isaiah 35:2, 60:13.
   
   
10. Snow water of Lebanon: Jeremiah 18:14.
    
    
11. The choice and best of Lebanon: Ezekiel 31:16.
    
    
12. Wine of Lebanon: Hosea 14:7.
    
    
13. Flower of Lebanon: Nahum 1:4.
    
    
14. Violence done to Lebanon: Habakkuk 2:17
    
    
15. Beasts of Lebanon: Isaiah 40:16.
    
    
16. Cypress trees of Lebanon: 2 Kings 19:23. Isaiah 37:24.
    
    
17. Height of Lebanon: 2 Kings 19:23. Isaiah 37:24.
    
    
18. Fruitful forest of Lebanon: 2 Kings 19:23. Isaiah 37:24.

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VII - The name “Lebanon” and its relation to Cedars:

Lebanon was compared to the cedars in twenty places in the bible. The places where both Lebanon and cedars were mentioned simultaneously will be stated:

1. Cedars of Lebanon: Judges 9:15. Psalms 29:5, 104:16. Isaiah 2:13, 14:8.
   
   
2. Cedar tree of Lebanon: 1 Kings 4:33. 2 Kings 14:9. 2 Chronicles 25:18.
   
   
3. Cedars from Lebanon: 1 Kings 5:6. Ezra 3:7. Ezekiel 27:5.
   
   
4. Cedars… from Lebanon: 2 Chronicles 2:8.
   
   
5. Lebanon… and its cedars: 2 Kings 19:23. Isaiah 37:24.
   
   
6. Cedars in Lebanon: Psalms 92:12. Ezekiel 31:3.
   
   
7. Lebanon… choice cedars: Jeremiah 22:6 and 7.
   
   
8. In Lebanon… in the cedars: Jeremiah 22:23.
   
   
9. Came to Lebanon and took from the cedar the highest branch: Ezekiel 17:3.
   
   
10. O Lebanon… your cedars: Zechariah 11:1.

 

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VIII - The name “Lebanon” and its citation:

The name “Lebanon” was mentioned 70 times in the Bible, all found in the Old Testament, and distributed among 16 of its books. This is an index of the citation of “Lebanon” and its frequency of appearance:

Deuteronomy	1:7; 3:25; 11:24	3
Joshua	1:4; 1:9; 11:17; 12:7; 13:5 & 6	6
Judges	3:3; 9:15	2
1 Kings	4:33; 5:6 & 9 & 14 (twice); 7:2; 9:19; 10:17&21	9
2 Kings	14:9 (3 times); 19:23	4
2 Chronicles	2:8 (twice) & 16; 8:6; 9:20; 25:18 (3 times)	8
Ezra	3:7	1
Psalms	29:5 & 6; 72:16; 92:12; 104:16;	5
Song of Solomon	3:9; 4:8 (twice) & 11&15; 5:15; 7:4	7
Isaiah	2:13; 10:34; 14:8; 29:17; 33:9; 35:2; 37:24; 40:16; 60:13	9
Jeremiah	18:14; 22:6 & 20 & 23	4
Ezekiel	17:3; 27:5; 31:3 & 15 & 16	5
Hosea	14:5 & 6 & 7	3
Nahum	1:4	1
Habakkuk	2:17	1
Zechariah	10:10; 11:1	2

70

 

 

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