Elijah's Cave (Mount Carmel, Israel)
City:
Haifa
State, Province, Region, or District:
Haifa District
Country:
Israel
Overview
Mount Carmel is best known as the site of the confrontation between the 850 prophets of Baal and the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 18:1-40). Mount Carmel was a High Place of worship to the false god of Baal and Asherah during the period of Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. Mount Carmel is covered on a separate page.
Elijah's Cave on Mount Carmel revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as a place where the prophet Elijah prayed before confronting the prophets of Baal and where he hid from the wrath of Queen Jezebel. The site is divided into sections for men and women and features engravings from pilgrims, including menorahs. Visitors come here to pray daily, and there are large ceremonies held several times a year. The cave is often visited along with the nearby Stella Maris Monastery.
Alternate Names
Elijah's Cave is also known as El-Khader in Arabic by the Druze.
Geography & Location
Elijah's cave is located on the bottom of the foothill of the north-western corner of mount Carmel, just below the Stella Maris lighthouse and monastery. It can be easily approached by stairs from the Allenby Road (number 230), close to the location of the cable car station in Bat-Galim.
Biblical, Historical, & Archaeological Background Information
History related to Mount Carmel is covered on a separate page. The following information is associated with the history of Elijah's Cave.
Architecture
The Cave of Elijah is divided into two sections for praying, one for men and one for women; the cave is behind a velvet curtain.
Biblical & Historical References
Mount Carmel (Mukhraka) is best known as the site of the confrontation between the 850 prophets of Baal and the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 18:1-40).
Spiritual Lessons and Application
See the applicable section on the page for Mount Carmel.
Etymology
Elijah – The prophet. In Hebrew: Eliyahu. Means in Hebrew: Eli (my God) + Yahu (the Lord, the Hebrew God). Thus the name means “The Lord is my God”. Elijah came from a place called Tishbi, in the region of Gilad – east to the Jordan river.
Site Visit
Elijah’s cave is one of the most sacred caves in the Holy Land. According to the tradition of all faiths (Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze) it was one of the places where Prophet Elijah has lived and hid while operating in the area of Mount Carmel 29 centuries ago. Visitors come here to pray daily, and there are large ceremonies held several times a year.