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1 . This name has generally the article, and signifies 'the park' or fruitful place. A mountain 12 miles in length that runs from the plain of Esdraelon in Galilee, in a N.W. direction toward the Mediterranean, where it forms a notable promontory, the only one in Palestine. It was the scene of Elijah's contest with the priests of Baal, that led to their destruction. 1 Kings 18: 19-40. One part
towards its east end is still called Mukrakah, 'place of burning,' the traditional spot of the above encounter. There Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord: this may have been erected before the temple was built, and been broken down, but its moral bearing is obvious. God vindicated His servant, and answered by fire from heaven. A perennial well near by would, notwithstanding the drought, have supplied the water Elijah needed. The spot is about 1,600 feet above the sea, and Elijah's servant had to go but a short distance to have the Mediterranean in view and to watch for a cloud.
The mountain was afterwards the residence of Elisha, where he was visited by the Shunammite woman on the death of her child. 2 Kings 4: 25. It is well wooded with shrubberies and brushwood, Isa. 33: 9; Micah 7: 14, and is beautiful with the multitude of its flowers, in fact the spot is declared to be even now the fragrant lovely mountain as of old. In Cant. 7: 5 the head of the bride is compared to Carmel. It is now called Jebel Kurmul.
2. City in the hill-country of Judah, Joshua 15: 55, the abode of Nabal and Abigail the Carmelitess. 1 Sam. 25: 2-40. Identified with el Kurmul, 31 26' N, 35 8' E. It is probable that 1 Sam. 15: 12 refers to this city; also 2 Chr. 26: 10, unless the word there is translated 'fruitful fields,' as in the margin and R.V. All other passages refer to No. 1.