Olivet

so called from the olive trees with which its sides are clothed, is a mountain ridge on the east of Jerusalem ( 1 Kings 11:7 ; Ezekiel 11:23 ; Zechariah 14:4 ), from which it is separated by the valley of Kidron. It is first mentioned in connection with David's flight from Jerusalem through the rebellion of Absalom ( 2 Samuel 15:30 ), and is only once again mentioned in the Old Testament, in Zechariah 14:4 . It is, however, frequently alluded to ( 1 Kings 11:7 ; 2 Kings 23:13 ; Nehemiah 8:15 ; Ezekiel 11:23 ). It is frequently mentioned in the New Testament ( Matthew 21:1 ; 26:30 , etc.). It now bears the name of Jebel et-Tur, i.e., "Mount of the Summit;" also sometimes called Jebel ez-Zeitun, i.e., "Mount of Olives." It is about 200 feet above the level of the city. The road from Jerusalem to Bethany runs as of old over this mount. It was on this mount that Jesus stood when he wept over Jerusalem. "No name in Scripture," says Dr. Porter, "calls up associations at once so sacred and so pleasing as that of Olivet. The 'mount' is so intimately connected with the private, the devotional life of the Saviour, that we read of it and look at it with feelings of deepest interest and affection. Here he often sat with his disciples, telling them of wondrous events yet to come, of the destruction of the Holy City; of the sufferings, the persecution, and the final triumph of his followers ( Matthew 24 ).