What Are the Most Important Mountains in the Bible?

I'm a mountain gal myself, so whenever I want to dive into a topic like mountains in the Bible, I plunge headfirst. It's hard to read a book of the Bible without encountering a mountain first. And many items of significance happen on mountains such as Horeb or Olives. So what are the most significant mountains in the Bible? And what happened at these sites? 

Also, do the mountains in the Bible have a symbolic significance. After all, passages such as 1 Corinthians 13:2—"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing"—seem to indicate that. We'll dive into all of this and more in this article.

What Are the Most Important Mountains in the Bible?

We could spend far more than one article covering the important areas of topography found within Scripture. But for now, we'll address some of the most significant mountains we can find within Scripture.

Mount Ararat

Genesis 8:4: "and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat."

Located in modern-day Turkey, this untouchable mountain supposedly houses the landing spot of Noah's Ark. Why untouchable and why supposedly? Well, because of the political stability in the land, Mount Ararat does not allow for tourists to scale the site, let alone search for the remains of Noah's Ark.

Scripture does appear to confirm the location of the Ark.

Mount Sinai/Mount Horeb

You may know Mount Sinai as the place where Moses received the 10 Commandments. But did you know that God had also met Moses on that same mountain in the form of a burning bush? How cool that in the same place where God promises to free the Israelites he also creates a covenant with his people.

Mount of Olives

Zechariah 14:4: "On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward."

Located near Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives hosted Jesus when he ascended into heaven. It will also be the location where he returns again (see the Zechariah reference above). More than a thousand years before Christ, David had fled to these same mountains when his son abdicated the throne. For more interesting facts about this particular set of mountains and their biblical importance, read this article here.

Mount Tabor (Mount of the Transfiguration)

When Deborah stood as judge of Israel, she led her troops to Mount Tabor to free the Israelites from their newest oppressor, the Canaanites (Judges 4). But how we probably know Mount Tabor better is that it's the site where Jesus performed the transfiguration. According to Christianity.com, "The transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a powerful demonstration of His divine nature and manifestation of His glory, which Jesus possessed prior to coming to earth in the human body."

At the transfiguration, Elijah and Moses also appear, and Jesus has a conversation with them.

Mount Carmel

Notice how a few of the mountains have food themes in the English language. If you're anything like me, the first time you read this mountain's name, it made you hungry. But what happened there would probably not stir up your appetite.

On Mount Carmel. Elijah famously challenged the hundreds of prophets of Baal. There he proved that the LORD is God over all (1 Kings 18). 

Mount Zion

This mountain appears in a lot of prophecies. According to Christianity.com, "Mount Zion is the City outside of Jerusalem, or Israel or Temple of the Mount or the Western Hill, the City of David, the descendant of Christ, the City of our God and the location of Christ’s rule on earth, and it is a spiritual location and an eternal Jerusalem."

We often associate this mountain with the Temple mount. Solomon's temple was constructed on this mountain. But as explained above, it also has a spiritual significance and will play a role in Christ's second coming. As stated in the Christianity.com article, Zion is the place of the future eternal Jerusalem.

Now that we've covered some important mountains in the Bible, let's talk about the symbolic significance of these landmarks.

What Is the Symbolism behind Mountains in the Bible?

It shouldn't surprise us that sometimes mountains can serve as a symbol for obstacles. After all, we use those symbols today. "I climbed that mountain." "I defeated that mountain." Etc. The Bible seems to juxtapose the same position. It often talks about faith that can move mountains—hinting that the mountains had stood in the way of someone accomplishing something.

Mountains also tend to represent grandeur and majesty, pointing to the power of our Savior. Scripture often talks about mountains crumbling and giving way, but we do not lose heart, for God is everlasting (Isaiah 54:10).

Mountains can also symbolize eternity. We can witness this in a number of ways. First of all, Jesus transfigured on a mountain. He gives us a foretaste of what it will look like when he returns to earth. God will also touch down on Mount of Olives in the second coming and will establish his eternal Jerusalem on Mount Zion. On every mountain, we see God's power as he gives us the picture in part, that we will one day see in full.

Bible Verses about Mountains

Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 54:10: "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you."

Micah 1:4: "The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope."

For more Bible verses on mountains, check out this article here.

Why Should We Know about Mountains in the Bible?

First, we have a Creator God. We can often see elements of his character throughout creation. Mountains reminds us of his splendor, majesty, and power. 

But often biblical landmarks can point us to something far greater, a narrative that shows us time and time again that God rescues his people and gives them a hope for a future. We see this when Deborah marches with 1000 troops to take down the Canaanites on a mountain, when God establishes his covenant with his people on Mount Sinai. Important events have taken place on mountains, and important events are yet to take place on them.

When we study the Bible, we ought to study it within the cultural context. The more we know about the places where major events happened, the greater our understanding increases about God's story for his people then, and his people now.

Finally, we should task ourselves with learning as much as possible about the Bible. The more we know the word, the more we can speak boldly about it.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/TomasSereda

Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to find out about hiring her for your next book project.