Carmel (Kahr´muhl; Heb., “garden” or “orchard”)

1 A range of fertile, forested hills (Amos 1:2; Isa 33:9; Nah 1:4) about fifteen miles long on the west border of the land allotted to the tribe of Asher (Josh 19:26). Mt. Carmel was the scene of the contest between Elijah and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah (1Kgs 18:19). 2 An ancient city identified as modern Khirbet el-Kirmel (or Kermel), eight miles southeast of Hebron. It was here that Saul commemorated his victory over the Amalekites by erecting a monument (1Sam 15:12). Also, the events told in the story of Abigail, David, and Nabal took place near Carmel (1Sam 25).