Heaven's Doorway Press

Monday, August 24, 2026

Holy Mountains In The Bible - Where Are They? Why Were They Sacred? Scripture Links and Fascinating Revelation In The Hebrew Bible and New Testament

When you think of some of the iconic and sacred mountains in the Bible, which ones come to mind first and why? In this post, we'll review some of them providing you with links for further research and trivia exploration. Ready to ascend?

1. Mount Sinai (Elevation: 7,497 ft / 2,285m) - the above pic shows the "glory of God" on Mount Sinai which produced fear and dread among the ancient Israelites. Also, frequently referenced, as Mount Horeb, it is located on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, the sacred holy mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God.

In the above pic, located at the foot of Mount Sinai is the world's oldest continually inhabited Christian Monastery, "Saint Catherine's Monastery" established in 565 AD.

2. Mt. Tabor (Elevation: 1,886 ft / 575m)

While not a tall mountain, it certainly ranks up there in the "heights of holiness." Why? It is the mountain where Jesus was transfigured before James, John and Peter with a vision of Moses and Elijah.

Can you imagine seeing Jesus transformed before you? In the Gospel of Matthew(17:1-8):

"After six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain (Mount Tabor) by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, 'Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I AM well pleased; listen to him.' When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them saying, 'Rise, and do not be afraid.' And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone."

3. Mt Ararat (Elevation: 16,854 ft / 5,137m)

Does Noah's ark come to mind when you think of Mt Ararat, the mountain where the ark came to rest after the great flood?

4. Mt Moriah (Elevation: 2,428 - 2,520 ft / 740 - 770 m)

In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham's "firmness of faith" by commanding him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah. Thankfully, at the last critical moment, the Lord's messenger cried out from heaven and intervened, providing a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. Abraham was rewarded with abundant blessings: "I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing - all this because you obeyed my command."

5. Mt Carmel (Elevation: 1,724 ft / 525.4 m)

Located near a Mediterranean coastal mountain range in northern Israel (towards Haifa), the prophet Elijah is forever associated with the "showdown" at Mount Carmel. In I Kings (18:25-40), Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal in an epic miraculous supernatural show of faith.

Coming Soon, this November 3, 2026 from Heaven's Doorway Press:

Ebook global street date: November 3, 2026, the triumphant finale of "Armor of Light III," the Christian angelic suspense trilogy by author, Peter Arnold. Pre-Order now on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble Also worldwide: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany (TBD), India (TBD), Italy, Japan, Mexico (TBD), UK (TBD) and more!

Get ready and read the first two installments available on your favorite e-reader. Download them now worldwide wherever ebooks are sold. Also available at your local library (ask your librarian) or on hoopla, where you can borrow ebooks online!

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

7 Sacred Trees In The Bible - Inspirational Scripture Sources - Acacia, Almond, Cedar, Fig, Olive, Date Palm, Sycamore - Gardening

"In the beginning," trees came before us, many revered and sacred. In the Old Testament, trees often serve as direct sites of "divine encounter," symbols of God's presence, and a source of sacred materials for building holy objects and structures. When we review scripture, several trees hold tremendous "favor," uniquely and specifically named:

1. The Olive Tree (Olea europaea)

The olive tree is often one of the most sacred trees, recalling the iconic dove bringing a freshly plucked olive leaf to Noah when the flood waters had receded, signaling the restoration of peace between God and the Earth. (Genesis 8:11). Olive oil was later prized for its light (Exodus 27:20) and specifically mandated by God to anoint the priests, holy lamps and utensils inside the Tabernacle.

2. The Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani)

Known as the "King of Trees," the magnificent Cedars of Lebanon symbolize majestic power, immortality and God's grandeur. King Solomon used this highly valued, fragrant wood to construct the first temple in Jerusalem. In Psalm 92:12, "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon."

3. The Acacia Tree (Acacia seyal)

Growing in the arid desert, acacia wood is exceptionally durable. God specifically commanded Moses to source Acacia wood for the Ark of the Covenant, the Altar of Burnt Offering and the structural poles of the traveling Tabernacle (Exodus 25:10 and Exodus 30:1).

4. The Fig Tree (Ficus carica)

The sacred fig tree has been know as a symbol of fruitfulness, modesty, calling and growth. Indelibly etched on humanity (Genesis 3:7) when Adam and Eve sewed and wore fig leaves during their fall from grace. In Micah 4:4, "They shall all sit under their own vines, under their own fig trees, undisturbed; for the Lord of Hosts has spoken." The fig tree would later appear several times in the New Testament, Gospel of John 1:48 when Jesus surprised Nathanael ("Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."). In the Gospel of Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.

5. The Almond Tree (Prunus amygdalus)

In Jeremiah 1:11, "The word of the Lord came to me: What do you see, Jeremiah? 'I see a branch of the almond tree,' I replied."

In Numbers 17:8, describes the morning when Moses enter the sacred traveling tent Tabernacle and saw Aaron's staff had mystically sprouted and blossomed with ripe almonds.

6. The Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera)

The palm tree has "stood strong bearing fruit (dates)" remaining upright under heavy loads, a symbol of strength. In Exodus 15:27, an oasis appeared for the Israelites in Elim where there were twelve springs of water and 70 palm trees, a place of rest and refreshment during the hot, dry desert journey.

In Deuteronomy 34:3, Jericho was referred as the "City of Palms," the lush, well-watered Jordan valley was famous for its palm trees.

In the Gospel of John 12:12-19, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for the Passover festival as a large crowd is greeting him with palm branches shouting, "Hosanna" and calling him the "King of Israel" as he rides on a young donkey, fulfilling prophecy.

7. Sycamore (Ficus sycomorus)

The biblical sycamore properly called, "sycamore-fig" is a large, wide-spreading evergreen tree with mulberry like leaves and clusters of edible, fig-like fruit. Unlike North American or European sycamores, this tree is native to Egypt and the mild lowlands of ancient Israel, prized for its dense shade, resilient wood and agricultural value.

In the Gospel of Luke 19:1-10, Jesus calls Zacchaeus down from a sycamore tree, as the tax collector was short in stature and wanted to desperately see Jesus. Zacchaeus was so overwhelmed, he immediately repented to give to the poor.