חֶרְמוֹן (cher.mon)

cher.mon

(Mount) Hermon

H2768 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 12 verses

N:N--L

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 12 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N--L

Word Overview

The noun chermon refers to Mount Hermon, a prominent peak on the northeastern border of ancient Israel. Its name means "a sanctuary" or "place of devotion," reflecting the mountain’s long history as a site for religious worship among surrounding nations before its inclusion in Israelite territory.

This geographical landmark appears twelve times in the Hebrew Bible, serving as a northern boundary marker in texts like Joshua and Deuteronomy. It also features poetically in Song of Solomon 4:8, where it symbolizes majestic beauty and height, enhancing the imagery of the beloved’s stature.

As a natural feature, Hermon provided snowmelt that fed the Jordan River, making it vital for agriculture in the region. Its association with sacred sites underscores its cultural significance beyond mere geography, linking physical landscape with spiritual identity in ancient Israelite consciousness.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

Mount Hermon stands as a towering landmark in the Hebrew Bible, marking the northern boundary of the land Israel inherited. Its name suggests a place of devotion, and for centuries it served as a sacred peak for surrounding nations before becoming part of Israel’s territory. This mountain is not just a geographical marker; it represents the vastness of God’s provision and the extent of the promises made to His people.

In Psalm 133, the poet uses the dew of Hermon to describe the blessing that flows from unity among believers. Just as the snowmelt from this high peak feeds the Jordan River and sustains the land below, shared life in community brings spiritual refreshment. The imagery reminds us that God’s presence is most tangible when His people dwell together in harmony.

Whether viewed as a boundary of conquest or a source of life-giving water, Hermon points to God’s sovereignty over all nations and landscapes. It invites reflection on how the physical world reflects spiritual truths, grounding our faith in the reality of God’s created order and His faithful care for His people.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Hermon9×
and/ Hermon1×
[is] Hermon1×
<to>/ Hermon1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

חֶרְמֽוֹן\׃2×
חֶרְמ֔וֹן2×
חֶרְמ֑וֹן2×
לְ/חֶרְמ֖וֹן1×
חֶרְמ֤וֹן1×
חֶרְמ֛וֹן1×
חֶרְמ֗וֹן1×
חֶרְמ֖וֹן1×
וְ/חֶרְמ֔וֹן1×

Key Verses

Psalms 133:3
like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion; for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forever more.

This verse uses the rare image of Hermon's dew descending on Zion to symbolize how unity among believers invites God's life-giving blessing.
Deuteronomy 3:8
We took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon.

Here Hermon marks the northern limit of the land taken from the Amorite kings, defining the full extent of Israel's inheritance.
Joshua 12:5
and ruled in Mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.

The text notes that King Og ruled in Mount Hermon, highlighting the mountain as a seat of power for one of Israel’s defeated enemies.
Song of Solomon 4:8
Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

The beloved is invited to look from the heights of Hermon, using the mountain's majesty to enhance the beauty and stature of the scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Hermon mean?

The name Chermon likely derives from a root meaning 'to destroy' or 'to devote,' possibly reflecting its history as a sacred site for surrounding nations. Some scholars also link it to words meaning 'blessed' or 'holy,' emphasizing its status as a place of religious significance before Israelite settlement.

Why is Mount Hermon mentioned in Psalms?

In Psalm 133:3, the dew of Hermon is used as a metaphor for blessing. Because Hermon is so high, its snowmelt creates dew that reaches even lower areas like Zion. This natural phenomenon illustrates how unity among God's people brings refreshing and life to the entire community.

Is Mount Hermon the same as Mount Sinai?

No, they are distinct mountains in different regions. Mount Hermon is in the north near Lebanon, while Mount Sinai is in the south in the Sinai Peninsula. The Bible sometimes uses alternative names like Sirion or Senir for Hermon, but these do not refer to Sinai.

What role did Hermon play in Israel's history?

Hermon served as a key northern boundary marker for the land of Israel. It was part of the territory conquered from the Amorite kings, and its strategic location made it significant for defining the borders of the tribes of Manasseh and Gad in Bashan.

Every Occurrence (12 verses across 5 books)

Deuteronomy 3 verses

Deuteronomy 3:8

We took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the…

Deuteronomy 3:9

(The Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir.)

Deuteronomy 4:48

from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, even to Mount Siyon (also called Hermon),

Joshua 6 verses

I Chronicles 1 verse

Psalms 1 verse

Song of Solomon 1 verse