Cave of Elijah is the name used for two grottoes on Mount Carmel, in Haifa, Israel, associated with Biblical prophet Elijah. According to tradition, Elijah is believed to have prayed at a grotto before challenging the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), and to have hidden in either the same or in another nearby grotto from the wrath of Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1–3).[1]
Two grottoes on Mount Carmel, in Haifa, have been historically referred to as "the Cave of Elijah". The main shrine known as the "Cave of Elijah" is located on Haifa's Allenby Road, on Mount Carmel, approximately 40 m above sea level. For centuries, it has been a destination for Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze pilgrims.[2] The Cave of Elijah in Allenby Road is divided into twos sections for praying, one for men and one for women; the cave is behind a velvet curtain.[3] The Cave is also known as el-Khader in Arabic.[4] The Druze regard it as holy,[2] and many among them identify Elijah as "el-Khidr", the green prophet who symbolizes water and life.
The cave has been considered by some as miracle-working. Sick people are said to be brought to the Cave in hope that they will be cured.[2][4]
A second grotto, also associated with Elijah, is located nearby, under the altar of the main church of the Stella Maris Monastery, also on Mount Carmel.[5][4]
- ^ "Elijah's Cave | Haifa, Israel Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
- ^ a b c Hammer, Leonard (2009). Holy Places in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Confrontation and Co-existence. Routledge. p. 76. ISBN 9781135268121.
- ^ "Elijah's Cave | Haifa, Israel Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ a b c "Elijah's Cave on Mount Carmel and its Inscriptions" (PDF).
- ^ "Stella Maris". Goisrael.com. Archived from the original on 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2016-12-14.