Mount Tabor is a hill in Galilee that rises 500 meters above the Jezreel Valley. It has been an important fortress since ancient times due to its strategic location. Christians have identified the site as where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, as described in the gospels. The Bible also references Mount Tabor in Judges and Psalms.

1. Mount Tabor (Hebrew: Har Tavor) is a hill rising 500m above the Jezreel Valley in the region of Galilee. Due to its strategic location along the north-south road, it has been an important fortress since ancient times. Christians have identified a rock atop Mt. Tabor as the place of the Transfiguration of Christ since the 4th century AD. Deborah sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, "The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: 'Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.'" (Judges 4:6-7) You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name. (Psalm 89:12) "As surely as I live," declares the King, whose name is the LORD Almighty, "one will come who is like Tabor among the mountains, like Carmel by the sea. (Jeremiah 46:18) Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." (Mt 17:1-9)

2. Mount Tabor

3. Entrance to the Greek Church of St. Elias

4. Greek Orthodox Church of St. Elias

5. Elijah

6. Moses

7. Church of Transfiguration

8. Interior of the Church of Transfiguration

11. Megiddo Valley as seen from Mount Tabor

12. The Sea of Galilee as seen from Mount Tabor

13. The view of Mount Tabor as seen from the Jezreel Valley

14. Mount Tabor—site of the Transfiguration

15. Presentation by Arthur My trip to the Galilee January 17, 2008