Hor
“Mountain (an archaic form of har)”
Summary
Hor is the name of two mountains in Scripture: one near Edom where Aaron died, and another marking the northern boundary of the Promised Land identified with Lebanon.
☩Mount Hor Where Aaron Died
Mount Hor was an eminent mountain on the confines of Idumea, on the boundary line of the land of Edom. It was the halting place of the people after Kadesh and before Zalmonah on the road to the Red Sea. At the command of Jehovah, Aaron, his brother Moses, and his son Eleazar ascended the mountain 'in the sight of all the congregation.' The priestly garments were taken from Aaron and placed upon Eleazar, and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain at age 123 in the fortieth year after the Exodus. The mountain is now identified as Jebel Harun ('mountain of the prophet Aaron'), the highest and most conspicuous peak in the sandstone mountains of Edom, rising about 4800 feet above the Mediterranean.
☩Description of Jebel Harun
Mount Hor rises like a huge castellated building from a lower base, marked far and near by its double top surmounted by the circular dome of Aaron's tomb, a distinct white spot on the dark red sandstone surface. On the eastern side beneath it lies the mysterious ancient city of Petra, though the two are not visible to one another. The summit is reached by a flight of steps cut in the rock, leading to a small square mosque with a white dome built over the traditional tomb.
☩Mount Hor of Lebanon
A second Mount Hor is mentioned as one of the marks of the northern boundary of the land which Israel was to conquer. This is entirely distinct from the mountain where Aaron died, being the great chain of Lebanon itself, stretching about 80 miles from east of Sidon to the entering in of Hamath.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hor," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hor," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hor," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).