Lebanon, a mountainous region at the northern border of Israel, has been famous for its beauty and natural wealth since ancient times. Located at the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, the area of Lebanon consists of a narrow coastal plain flanked by hill country and a steep, snow-covered mountain range. The name Lebanon, which comes from the Hebrew word meaning "white," was inspired by the glistening appearance of its majestic mountains.
The Phoenicians, who were skillful sailors and prosperous merchants, inhabited Lebanon in ancient times. Their port cities, Byblos, Tyre, and Sidon, sent trading ships throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
Many biblical writers praised the beauty of Lebanon, the fragrance of its cedar forests, and its abundance of wildlife. Lebanon had fertile areas where olives and grapes grew abundantly. Its most important product, however, was the fine timber harvested from the forests that spread over the mountains and valleys. Groves of cedar trees grew straight and tall, making them particularly useful for large building projects. Because trees weren't as plentiful in their own land, the Israelites were amazed at the magnificent cedars of Lebanon, seeing them as symbols of strength and beauty. Solomon used Lebanese cedars in building his Temple in Jerusalem, and the Bible calls them "trees of the Lord" (Ps 104:16).
New & noteworthy:
Archeologists digging at the site of Byblos in Lebanon found the remains of a city that was an active trading center almost 5,000 years ago.
