[= white], a massive mountain range, stretching from the Litani River [or Lita] near Tyre in the south to the El-Kebir River [ancient Eleutherus] in the north, spanning 170 km. The most important of the numerous plains on the ridge of Lebanon were the so-called "Cedars of Lebanon," a cedar area covering about 100 m² at an altitude of approximately 3000 m. The cedar grove, which faced near destruction [in 1573 there were only 24 trees, in 1810 there were 375, and in 1884 there were 397], now exists only on a westward-facing slope at an altitude of 2000 m. It is surrounded by a high wall to protect it from unauthorized logging. Lebanon is mostly composed of limestone. In the heights, rainwater is collected, flowing in the warm months from Lebanon's eternal snow [Jer 18:14 ]. However, there are no glaciers in Lebanon. Numerous small rivers irrigate the Lebanese valleys, making them fertile for abundant vegetation [Song 4:15 ; Isa 35:2 ; Isa 60:13 ]. On the western slope of central Lebanon, mulberries, olives, figs, walnuts, almonds, peaches, and apricots thrive. Even pomegranates ripen here. At altitudes of 1000-1500 m, wine and tobacco are cultivated. According to Song 4:11 and Hos 14:7 , Lebanon emits a special fragrance, likely from the aromatic shrubs and flowers that abundantly cover the ground. The forests, about which Old Testament writers sang [2Kgs 19:23 ; Ps 72:16 ; Isa 2:13 ; Isa 10:34 ; Isa 40:16 ; Isa 60:13 ; Ezek 17:3 ; Ezek 31:15 f; Zech 11:1 ], have almost disappeared. In ancient times, however, Lebanon's timber was used not only for building temples and palaces but also for making ship masts [Ezra 3:7 ; Ezek 27:5 ]. In place of the forests, rich pastures have emerged, serving numerous herds of sheep and goats. Wild animals such as bears, jackals, hyenas, wild boars, and gazelles can be found here [2Kgs 14:9 ; Song 4:8 ]. In the caves, remains of humans, as well as deer, ibex, roe deer, and cave lions, have been found. Lebanon was a natural refuge due to its inaccessibility.

It is said that Solomon, like other oriental rulers at various times, had cedar timber transported from Lebanon for the construction of the temple in Jerusalem [1Kgs 5:6 ]. It also seems that he conducted construction here [1Kgs 9:19 ], perhaps even mining iron and other materials.

Running parallel to Lebanon from Mount Hermon is the so-called Anti-Lebanon, separated from Lebanon by the Bekaa Valley, which is 8-14 km wide. Through this valley flow the Nahr-el-Litani to the south and the Orontes to the north. The valley is 120 km long, with its central part being very fertile.

Lebanon formed the northwestern boundary of the Promised Land [Deut 1:7 ; Deut 11:24 ; Josh 1:4 ; Josh 11:17 ; Josh 12:7 ; Josh 13:5 ].

Biblical Dictionary by Adolf Novotný