Lebanon appears often in the news, especially in the context of the Israel-Hamas War. Tensions have been mounting along Israel’s northern border, especially since October 7, 2023. Conflict between Israel and her neighbor to the north has flared on and off in the decades since the birth of modern Israel.

But Israel’s connections to Lebanon go back much further, even to biblical times. The Old Testament mentions Lebanon by name seventy-one times. In addition to these explicit mentions, Scripture refers to cities and areas now part of Lebanon. While Lebanon’s modern borders do not align precisely with the territories mentioned in the Bible, the region corresponding to present-day Lebanon has a rich historical and cultural heritage dating back to ancient times. This legacy includes some significant biblical events and themes.

Since Lebanon had such prominence in the Old Testament, let us examine Lebanon’s role in the Bible.

Key Themes Related to Lebanon in the Bible

Mount Hermon

In Scripture, Lebanon (לְבָנוֹן, Levanon) refers to the western mountains just north of modern Israel. It describes not a country or state like we think of Lebanon today, but rather the mountain range and its surroundings. Though this area is now part of the country of Lebanon, it is part of the land God promised to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 1:7, 3:25, 11:24). The Hebrew term, לְבָנוֹן, comes from the root לבן meaning “white.” This imagery probably stems from the snow blanketing these mountains in winter. Just opposite this range, separated by the Beqaa Valley, are the Lebanon mountains.[1]

On this side is the most well-known of these mountains, Mount Hermon. This peak alone holds great biblical significance. Abraham pursued four kings who kidnapped his relative Lot. He overtook them at Dan, near Mount Hermon. The difficult terrain of Mount Hermon might have slowed these kings’ forces down, allowing Abraham to rescue Lot (Genesis 14:8–16).[2] Deuteronomy records the Israelites capturing land as far north as Mount Hermon (Deut 3:8).

Though the New Testament never mentions Lebanon by name, some key events happened in Caesarea Philippi (also known as Banias or Panias). At Caesarea Philippi, springs from Mount Hermon fed into the Jordan River. This city, a center for worship of the Greek god Pan and the emperor, was where Peter confessed Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:18). Mount Hermon is the most likely setting for the Transfiguration, occurring “on a high mountain” shortly after Peter made this statement (Matthew 17:1).[3] Today, Mount Hermon lies along Israel’s northeastern border and lies between Lebanon and Syria. It is Israel’s highest peak and a popular skiing destination.

The Cedars of Lebanon

One of the most frequent ways the Bible refers to Lebanon involves its cedars. Lebanon, especially its western slopes, was indeed plentiful with cedar, as well as other evergreens like pine, fir, cypress, and oak. These natural resources were world-renowned and added a sense of prestige to whatever they adorned. Therefore, it is not surprising Solomon had vast amounts of cedar and cypress shipped from Lebanon for the Temple and his palace.

The passage in 1 Kings 5:1–12 describes in detail how Solomon planned to transport the lumber. His servants would bring the wood to the sea, from which rafts would bring them down to Joppa. Finally, they would take the wood up to Jerusalem over land (1 Kings 5:9; cf. 2 Chronicles 2:16). One of the buildings in Solomon’s palace was even called “the house of the forest of Lebanon” (1 Kings 7:2), illustrating how much he used and prized this resource.

The cedars of Lebanon also appear frequently in the Bible’s prophetic literature. According to the psalmist, God planted these trees, but His very voice can break them in pieces (Psalm 29:5, 104:16). A righteous person “will grow like a cedar of Lebanon” (Psa 92:12). This simile draws on the value and strength of cedars to convey how well-rooted is one who seeks to please God. In Song of Solomon, the beloved said of her love, “His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars” (Song 5:15). This imagery is yet another hint of how highly ancient people prized wood from the Lebanon mountains.

Like Swiss chocolates or Japanese video games are today, the ancient Middle East considered wood from Lebanon to be of the highest quality. These cedars continue to attract admiration and awe. The Forest of the Cedars of God in northern Lebanon is a UNESCO world heritage site, recognizing the religious significance of Lebanese cedar as well as its beauty.[4]

Tyre and Sidon

With about twenty miles between them,[5] Tyre and Sidon are two areas in present-day Lebanon the Bible sometimes mentions together (Zechariah 9:2; Matthew 11:21). Sidon takes its name from Canaan’s firstborn son (Genesis 10:15). Hiram, king of Tyre, reigned during the time of David and Solomon. He is even described as being “on friendly terms with David” (1 Kgs 5:1). Hiram was also the one who sent them both lumber from Lebanon for their building projects (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kgs 9:11; 1 Chronicles 14:1). Tyre and Sidon frequently appear in the prophetic books as objects of God’s judgment (Isaiah 23:1–2; Ezekiel 26:3; Amos 1:9).

These areas are also significant in the New Testament. Tyre and Sidon represent one of Jesus’ few forays into non-Jewish areas (Matthew 15:21; Mark 7:31). People from these areas traveled to hear Him teach (Luke 6:17). Jesus also referenced these cities when He rebuked Chorazin and Bethsaida, where He had done extensive ministry and signs. He said,

Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. (Luke 10:13–14; cf. Matthew 11:21–22)

With this rebuke, Jesus drew on the prophets’ frequent denunciations of Tyre and Sidon for their wicked deeds. Yet even they, Jesus declared, would have repented if they had witnessed the miracles Jesus did. Thus, Chorazin and Bethsaida would face a harsher judgment, because not even the presence of God incarnate or His signs moved them to faith. Paul stopped at Sidon on his way to Rome after appealing to Caesar (Acts 27:3).

The Peoples of Biblical Lebanon

The primary residents of Lebanon in biblical times were the Phoenicians. They likely descended from the Sea Peoples, wandering seafarers who settled across the eastern Mediterranean in the thirteenth and twelfth centuries BCE. Philistines were among this group (Amos 9:7; Jeremiah 47:4).[6] Significant Phoenician settlements included Cyprus, Carthage, and Tripolis (including Tyre and Sidon).[7]

The Phoenicians had much in common with Canaanite cultures discussed in the Old Testament. Their religious practices followed Canaanite paganism and involved idol worship, which the Bible condemns.[8] Indeed, Scripture describes how Solomon followed the pagan worship of Sidon (one of the Phoenician cities in Lebanon) when his foreign wives led him astray. He “followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians” (1 Kings 11:5).

As discussed above, the prophets often chastised Tyre and Sidon, indicating their idolatrous worship and practices (Isa 23; Ezek 27–28). Much of what the Bible has to say about those living in Lebanon then calls out their idolatry. But they were by no means beyond God’s grace. Isaiah beautifully described how even those nations whom God judged would be blessed alongside Israel. “That day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance’” (Isa 19:24–25).

Relating Biblical Lebanon to Modern Lebanon

The Peoples of Modern Lebanon

For centuries, Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire. After this empire fell in World War I, Lebanon came under French control. The influence of the French language and culture is still evident in aspects of Lebanon today, especially its architecture. In 1943, Lebanon emerged as an independent country. Most of Lebanon’s population identifies as Lebanese Arab. They are descendants of the ancient Phoenicians and have historically been the dominant ethnic group in the country.

Lebanon is home to a significant Armenian population, primarily descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Armenians have their own distinct culture, language, and traditions. There is a small Kurdish population in Lebanon, primarily residing in the Beqaa Valley and Beirut. Kurds often maintain close ties with the larger Kurdish communities in neighboring countries. In addition, Lebanon is among the nations in the Middle East with the highest number of Christians in their midst.[9]

Lebanon is also home to a small Assyrian and Syriac population, who are ethnic minorities with roots in ancient Mesopotamia. They have a distinct culture, language (Syriac), and religious traditions. Lebanon hosts a large population of Palestinian refugees and their descendants. Many Palestinians live in refugee camps across Lebanon and face socio-economic challenges. Some of these Palestinians helped found and support Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim militia. Founded in 1985, Hezbollah calls for Israel’s destruction and swears allegiance to Iran. Hezbollah mainly operates out of southern Lebanon, from which it launches attacks against Israel’s northern border.

Praying for Lebanon

Tensions between Israel and the modern country of Lebanon are rising, but let us not mistake the people of Lebanon with the terrorist organization based in the south of the country. We should pray for all peoples in the Middle East—including Lebanon, with the area’s rich biblical heritage. Please pray with us:

• We pray Hezbollah will repent of its plans to destroy Israel.
• We pray many in Lebanon will come to faith in Jesus the Messiah.
• We pray for Christian workers and ministries proclaiming the gospel in Lebanon.
• We pray Christians in Lebanon will remain confident in their faith and have a strong testimony in the Middle East.
• We pray for peace and reconciliation between Lebanon and Israel.

Conclusion

Though it is only about one-third of the size of Maryland,[10] Lebanon contains several areas of interest to readers of the Bible, including Tyre, Sidon, and the famous forests of cedar. Part of the mountains surrounding the Beqaa Valley lie within modern Israel’s borders. Most notably, this includes Mount Hermon and nearby cities like Dan and Caesarea Philippi. As we consider the map of the ancient Near East, we discover Lebanon plays a significant role in Scripture. Modern Lebanon also plays a prominent role in the modern Middle East. Let us pray Hezbollah and their sympathizers will repent of their hatred of Israel. Pray with us for the growth and spiritual vitality of the church in Lebanon.

---

Published on April 19, 2024.

Header photo by N BarbarAgha on Unsplash

[1] Dougald McLaurin III, “Lebanon” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary edited by John D. Barry, et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

[2] Brandon Ridley, “Mount Hermon” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

[3] Thomas V. Brisco, Holman Bible Atlas, Holman Reference (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1998), 223–24.

[4] “Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsch Arz el-Rab),” UNESCO World Heritage Convention, accessed March 20, 2024, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/850/.

[5] Gary A. Byers, “The Biblical Cities of Tyre and Sidon,” Bible and Spade 15, no. 4 (Fall 2002): 107–10.

[6] Clifford T. Winters, “Sea Peoples” in Lexham Bible Dictionary.

[7] Scott A. Williams, “Phoenicia, Colonies of” in Lexham Bible Dictionary.

[8] Matthew Hamilton, “Phoenicia, Culture and Religion of,” in Lexham Bible Dictionary.

[9] “2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Lebanon,” United States Department of State, accessed April 15, 2024, https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/lebanon/.

[10] “Lebanon,” CIA Factbook, sec. Middle East, March 13, 2024, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lebanon/.