Overview
The Bible addresses mountain across 58 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Closely related themes include Transfiguration, Vision, Mountains and Volcanoes. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Peter, Moses and Elijah.
Key Bible verses about mountain
Old Testament
Deuteronomy
And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. midst: Heb. heart
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: possess: or, inherit
Job
Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place. cometh: Heb. fadeth
He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots. rock: or, flint
Isaiah
Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. a beacon: or, a tree bereft of branches, or, boughs: or, a mast
Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! the melting: Heb. the fire of meltings
When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
New Testament
Matthew
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
Mark
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Luke
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. sayings: or, things
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
People in the Bible and mountain
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying mountain for yourself
- Begin with Exodus 3:12, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew, Mark and Luke each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus, Peter and Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Transfiguration, Vision, Mountains and Volcanoes.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about mountain?
The Bible addresses mountain across 58 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Closely related themes include Transfiguration, Vision, Mountains and Volcanoes. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Peter, Moses and Elijah.
How many Bible verses are about mountain?
The Bible references mountain in 58 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention mountain?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 3:12: “And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with mountain?
Jesus, Peter, Moses, Elijah and Josiah.
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