Mt. Carmel is really a ridge of mountains, which begins at the Mediterranean Sea and runs about twenty miles inland to the southeast, ending in the Jezreel Valley. The highest peak of Carmel is just under 1,800 feet. The Kishon River ("Brook" in 1st Kings 18.40) flows through its valleys and around to the north, then empties into the Bay of Acco.
The Carmel ridge literally splits this region of Israel in half, with the Plain of Acco to the north and the Plain of Sharon to the south.
Because of its access along the ancient “International Highway,” (called Via Mares by the Romans), three passes through the Carmel range became strategic routes of travel in the ancient world. It was likely the route taken by Pharaoh Thutmose III (reigning circa 1479-1425 B.C.) when he squashed a rebellion of Canaanite Kings who attempted to overthrow Egyptian Rule. (Chiseled on a pillar, which is displayed at Luxor, this may be the earliest recorded battle in history).
The area around Carmel is lush with vegetation. The Bible mentions it as a symbol of beauty and fertility. (Song 7.5; Isaiah 35.2) The name itself reflects this; Carmel is a Hebrew contraction meaning “vineyard” or “garden of God.” And for Carmel to whither was a sign of destructive judgment. (Nahum 1.4)
Carmel’s crowning event has to be Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Ba-al. (1st Kings 18) “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Ba-al is God, follow him.” (1st Kings 18.21 NIV)
Elijah’s successor, Elisha, lived on Mt Carmel. When a Shunammite woman needed Elisha’s help on behalf of her dead child, they went to him at Mt. Carmel (2nd Kings 4).
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