Hermon has been identified with the highest mountain in the vicinity of Palestine, called Jebel esh-Sheikh (possibly meaning “Mountain of the Old One”) or Jebel eth-Thalj (meaning “Mountain of the Snow”) by the Arabs. These names evidently derive from the circumstance that Mount Hermon is snowcapped nearly the year around. Its snowy top might be said to resemble an old man’s crown of white hair.

Mount Hermon’s snowy head serves to condense the night vapors, thus producing abundant dew.

The melting snows of Mount Hermon are the main source of the river Jordan.