Mount Tabor is a significant mountain located in northern Israel near the plain of Jezreel. Though not very tall, rising only 1,886 feet above sea level, Mount Tabor has great biblical and historical significance. It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament and New Testament and was the site of many important biblical events.
Mount Tabor in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, Mount Tabor marked the border between the territories of the Israelite tribes Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali (Joshua 19:22). It was also near the valley where Deborah and Barak assembled their army before defeating Sisera and the Canaanites (Judges 4:6, 12-16).
The prophet Jeremiah predicted that the mountain would be overrun, writing “As Tabor is among the mountains, and Carmel by the sea, so shall he come” (Jeremiah 46:18). This was fulfilled when the Assyrians invaded and conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC.
Overall, Mount Tabor represented part of the Promised Land that God gave to His people Israel. Sitting on the border between three tribes, it marked their territories and was a key landmark in the biblical geography of the Holy Land.
Mount Tabor in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the most significant event associated with Mount Tabor is the Transfiguration of Jesus recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36. In this miraculous event, Jesus brought Peter, James and John up to “a high mountain” where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about His coming death in Jerusalem. A bright cloud overshadowed them and God spoke from heaven affirming Jesus as His Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him.
Though the specific “high mountain” is not named, early tradition identifies it as Mount Tabor. The Transfiguration gave the disciples a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory and God’s confirmation of His identity and mission. It was a pivotal moment that fortified Jesus and the disciples for the difficult road ahead in Jerusalem.
Some important themes and meanings of the Transfiguration include:
- It revealed Jesus’ divinity and glory as the Son of God.
- It showed the continuity between the Old and New Testaments with Moses and Elijah present.
- It confirmed Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah.
- The voice of God the Father endorsed Jesus’ authority and mission.
- It encouraged Jesus, knowing the trials ahead of Him in Jerusalem.
- It strengthened the disciples’ faith in who Jesus was.
By associating Mount Tabor with this crucial event, the Gospels present Mount Tabor as a place where God’s glory was uniquely manifested and His Son was revealed.
Later History of Mount Tabor
In the centuries after Christ, Mount Tabor continued to be an important site for Christians. In the 4th century AD, Christians built churches and shrines there commemorating the Transfiguration. In 614 AD, it was the site of the Battle of Mount Tabor during a war between the Byzantine Empire and the Persian Sassanid Empire. The Byzantines used Mount Tabor as a stronghold but were defeated by the Persians.
After the Muslim conquests, Mount Tabor was neglected. But in the 12th century AD during the Crusades, Christians regained control of the mountain and constructed the Crusader fortress on top along with churches and shrines. However, the Crusaders were defeated by the Ayyubid Sultan Saladin in 1183 AD. The mountain returned to Muslim control but Christians were still allowed to make pilgrimages.
In 1631, the Franciscans purchased rights to the ruins on Mount Tabor from the Ottoman Turks. They reconstructed the Basilica of the Transfiguration and Church of St. Elijah on top of the mountain, which remain there today. Mount Tabor continues to be a destination for pilgrimages and an active monastery of the Franciscan order.
Archaeological excavations have uncovered the remains of ancient walls, cisterns, monasteries, churches and shrines on Mount Tabor testifying to its long history as a holy site.
Spiritual Meaning and Importance
For Christians, Mount Tabor is spiritually significant because it was the site of Christ’s divine revelation and transfiguration where His glory was glimpsed. It was a pivotal moment in His ministry that revealed His divine nature as God’s Son. Mount Tabor connects the Old Testament and the New Testament – the old covenants and prophecies with their fulfillment in Christ. Just as Jesus ascended Mount Tabor with three disciples, so believers can ascend to a “mount of transfiguration” spiritually to gain new perspective on who Christ is.
Some key spiritual lessons and meanings associated with Mount Tabor include:
- Jesus sometimes takes believers to a solitary place away from the world to reveal His glory and teach us more of Him.
- On Mount Tabor, the disciples saw a glimpse of Jesus’ future glorified state and their own future glorification.
- God’s glory shines brightly at pivotal moments to encourage His people for the challenges ahead.
- Believers must learn to listen to Christ even when His teachings are difficult to accept.
- Experiencing Jesus’ glory gives us confidence in His divinity and mission.
- The Transfiguration strengthened Jesus as well as the disciples. God provides what we need before times of trial.
- Like Peter, we must not try to cling to spiritual mountaintop experiences, but go back down the mountain to fulfill God’s will.
For these reasons, ascending Mount Tabor has been compared to entering spiritually into the light of Christ and gaining a broader, more enlightened perspective on God’s purpose and plan for our lives. The mountain where Jesus was transfigured remains a place of divine revelation and glory.
Mount Tabor in Art and Literature
Because of its biblical significance, Mount Tabor has been featured widely in Christian art, hymns, and literature over the centuries. Some examples include:
- Paintings – Many great artists like Raphael, Titian, and Giovanni Bellini painted the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor. El Greco painted View of Mount Sinai and Mount Tabor.
- Hymns – “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy” mentions “Tabor’s glorious steep.” “Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus” references “O’er the distant mountain breaking / Comes the reddening dawn of day / Rise, O Salem, rise and welcome / Him who comes to take away.”
- Literature – Mount Tabor features in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Christus” and John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem “Herodias.” In Mark Twain’s book The Innocents Abroad, he described ascending Mount Tabor.
- Church names – Many churches, especially Protestant, name themselves Mount Tabor, like Mount Tabor United Methodist Church.
Mount Tabor’s striking shape rising alone above the plain also made it a symbol of beauty and glory in art and literature.
Archaeological Discoveries
Important archaeological discoveries on Mount Tabor include:
- Remains of 4th century church buildings and shrines marking sites like the Church of the Transfiguration.
- Ruins of a Crusader fortress and church on the mountain’s summit.
- Evidence of Byzantine, Roman, Israelite, and Canaanite settlement on the mountain.
- Tunnels cut into the rock cisterns to store rainwater.
- Walls around the summit built at different periods.
- A carving of a large cross on the southern peak.
These archaeological finds give evidence of Mount Tabor’s importance as a strategic military site and inhabited mountain going back to the early Israelites. The many church ruins testify to its sacred meaning for Jews and Christians over the millennia.
Geography of Mount Tabor
Some key geographical facts about Mount Tabor:
- It is located in Lower Galilee in northern Israel between the Plain of Jezreel and the Jordan River valley.
- Rising 1,886 feet high, it gives an excellent panoramic view of surrounding areas.
- It has a bulbous shape with smooth, sloping sides, so it looks very dome-like and circular from a distance.
- There are cliffs on the southeast side and steep slopes on other sides.
- It sits alone rising above the valleys around it.
- There are remains of an old Roman road that wound around the mountain.
- Forests and seasonal plants cover the lower parts of the mountain while the summit is mostly bedrock with some low bushes.
Mount Tabor’s striking shape and elevation above surrounding lowlands made it a lookout point and strategic military site commanding the neighboring territory. Plants and trees also made it habitable unlike most hilly areas in Israel.
Visiting Mount Tabor Today
Today Mount Tabor is part of the Israel National Trail, and visitors can hike and explore the mountain and its ruins. There is a paved road leading to the summit used by tour buses, cars, and bicyclists. Key sites on the mountain include:
- The Church of the Transfiguration and the Church of St. Elijah, run by the Franciscan order.
- A Catholic monastery and hostel for pilgrims and hikers to stay overnight.
- Ruins of the Crusader and Roman walls and buildings around the summit.
- Two nature reserves with native vegetation.
- Observation points with views into the surrounding valleys.
- Monument of the Virgin Mary near the summit.
- Gift shop, restaurant and coffee shop for visitors.
The top of Mount Tabor offers stunning vistas of the surrounding Galilean countryside. Seeing the terrain helps visitors visualize the many biblical events that occurred there. Sunset on Mount Tabor is especially beautiful. Visiting this mountain provides a powerful sense of the glory and revelations that took place there long ago.
Conclusion
In summary, Mount Tabor is a biblically significant site, especially as the traditional location of Christ’s transfiguration. It marked tribal borders in the Old Testament and later became an important stronghold and place of worship. The Transfiguration story made it profoundly spiritually meaningful for Jews and Christians. Its solitary dome shape also made it inspirational in art and literature. Visiting Mount Tabor today and ascending to its summit provides insight into the mountain’s strategic location and the biblical events that occurred there.