This remarkable mountain, a view of which is given in the cut on the
next page, is on the confines of Zebulon and Naphthali, on the
north-east border of the plain of Esdraelon, about six miles south of
Nazareth. It is graceful and picturesque in its outlines, presenting
different appearances as viewed from different points, which accounts
for the diversities in the pictorial representations we have of it. From
the north it has the appearance of the segment of a sphere, and appears
beautifully wooded on the summit, affording retreats to the animals for
whom “the net was spread on Tabor.” (Hosea v. 1.) From the west it is
like a truncated cone, appearing much steeper and higher, with the
southern side almost destitute of trees. But on all sides it is a marked
and prominent object, as the prophet intimates when he says, “as Tabor
is among the mountains.” (Jeremiah xlvi. 18.) The view from the summit
is truly beautiful. The foundations of ancient buildings, and the
remains of water-tanks, in which cool water is still collected from the
drippings of the rocks, are still to be seen on the top of Tabor. On
this mountain was the encampment of Barak’s army on the eve of its
battle with the hosts of Sisera. (Judges iv. 6, 14.) Tradition indicates
this as the scene of Christ’s transfiguration. This may well be doubted,
owing to the distance of this mountain from Cæsarea Philippi, near which
place our Lord left the nine disciples the day before. Besides, this
mountain was at the time occupied by a fortified town, and thus did not,
as well as some other hights, answer the description of “a high mountain
apart,” or solitary. (Matthew xvii. 1.) No doubt the name of the
mountain was concealed by design, to avoid giving occasion to the
superstitious observances of place, which our Lord foresaw would be
practiced, in after ages, by many calling themselves after his name. The
Arab name of Tabor is Jebel-Tur. There was a Levitical city on Tabor of
the same name. (1 Chronicles vi. 77.) The Tabor mentioned in 1 Samuel x.
3, was not Mount Tabor, but a place in the vicinity of the territory of
Benjamin.
[Illustration: MOUNT TABOR.]