Hermon does not give an easy ascent to the mountain-climber, but as you see this group upon the southwestern ridge, it can be climbed, not only by man, but by animals laden with men. For ten months in the year a crown of snow covers its head, giving it the name, "The Snow Mountain". Another name in common use is "Jebel each Sheikh", The Mountain of the Chief. From its regnant appearance like a king upon his throne, the name is appropriate, but in reality ir refers to this mountain as the residence of the religious ruler of the Druses, a powerful sect in Syria.
We begin with Mount Hermon, far in the north, the loftiest peak in the land, dominating the country like a king. We are looking at it now from one of the foothills on the northwest. The view is in midsummer, when most of the snow upon the summit has melted swelling the little stream before us, one of the upper sources of the Jordan; but you can see that snow remains in the ravines that seam the mountain walls. It rises 9166 feet above the level of the Mediterranean Sea, and forms the boundary line between Palestine on the south and Syria upon the north.
From one of the southern foothills of Hermon we look across the upper Jordan plain, and can see the river winding its way toward Lake Merom. On one of these lower hills of the lofty mountain took place that great event in the earthly life of Christ - the Transfiguration - which has forever made this a sacred mountain. One night our Lord climbed these steep mountain walls and was praying, while his three chosen disciples were sleeping. Awakening from their slumber, they saw that a great change had come over their Master's face and form. He had become dazzingly white and ineffably glorious, beaming forth a more than earthly splendor. Beside him stood the prophets of the past, Moses and Elijah; while from the radiant cloud above sounded a voice "This is my beloved Son; hear ye Him." It is fitting that the loftiest height in all the land should be associated with this scene in the life of Jesus Christ.