Lebanon
 黎巴嫩


 Lebanon
      n : an Asian republic at east end of Mediterranean [syn: {Lebanese
          Republic]


 Lebanon
    white, "the white mountain of Syria," is the loftiest and most
    celebrated mountain range in Syria. It is a branch running
    southward from the Caucasus, and at its lower end forking into
    two parallel ranges, the eastern or Anti-Lebanon, and the
    western or Lebanon proper. They enclose a long valley (Josh.
    11:17) of from 5 to 8 miles in width, called by Roman writers
    Coele-Syria, now called el-Buka'a, "the valley," a prolongation
    of the valley of the Jordan.

      Lebanon proper, Jebel es-Sharki, commences at its southern
    extremity in the gorge of the Leontes, the ancient Litany, and
    extends north-east, parallel to the Mediterranean coast, as far
    as the river Eleutherus, at the plain of Emesa, "the entering of
    Hamath" (Num. 34:8; 1 Kings 8:65), in all about 90 geographical
    miles in extent. The average height of this range is from 6,000
    to 8,000 feet; the peak of Jebel Mukhmel is about 10,200 feet,
    and the Sannin about 9,000. The highest peaks are covered with
    perpetual snow and ice. In the recesses of the range wild beasts
    as of old still abound (2 Kings 14:9; Cant. 4:8). The scenes of
    the Lebanon are remarkable for their grandeur and beauty, and
    supplied the sacred writers with many expressive similes (Ps.
    29:5, 6; 72:16; 104:16-18; Cant. 4:15; Isa. 2:13; 35:2; 60:13;
    Hos. 14:5). It is famous for its cedars (Cant. 5:15), its wines
    (Hos. 14:7), and its cool waters (Jer. 18:14). The ancient
    inhabitants were Giblites and Hivites (Josh. 13:5; Judg. 3:3).
    It was part of the Phoenician kingdom (1 Kings 5:2-6).

      The eastern range, or Anti-Lebanon, or "Lebanon towards the
    sunrising," runs nearly parallel with the western from the plain
    of Emesa till it connects with the hills of Galilee in the
    south. The height of this range is about 5,000 feet. Its highest
    peak is Hermon (q.v.), from which a number of lesser ranges
    radiate.

      Lebanon is first mentioned in the description of the boundary
    of Palestine (Deut. 1:7; 11:24). It was assigned to Israel, but
    was never conquered (Josh. 13:2-6; Judg. 3:1-3).

      The Lebanon range is now inhabited by a population of about
    300,000 Christians, Maronites, and Druses, and is ruled by a
    Christian governor. The Anti-Lebanon is inhabited by
    Mohammedans, and is under a Turkish ruler.



 Lebanon, white, incense