Bible Dictionary

Senir

Places & Geography • Old Testament
A Visit With Jesus
  Back to Dictionary Search
Senir was the Amorite name for Mount Hermon, or for a section of the Hermon and Anti-Lebanon range. It is mentioned as a source of fir timber and as a northern mountain landmark.

Definition

Senir was the Amorite name for Mount Hermon, or for a distinct section of the Hermon and Anti-Lebanon range. The name is also associated with snow or a coat of mail in the supplied explanations.

Biblical Usage

Senir is named with Hermon and appears as a source of fir timber used by Tyre. It is also mentioned in descriptions of northern mountain regions.

Historical Background

Senir may have designated part of the Anti-Lebanon range between Damascus and Homs. An inscription records Hazael fortifying Mount Senir opposite Lebanon.

Scripture References

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Easton's Bible Dictionary
=Shenir, the name given to Hermon by the Amorites (Deut. 3:9). It means “coat of mail” or “breastplate,” and is equivalent to “Sirion.” Some interpret the word as meaning “the prominent” or “the snowy mountain.” It is properly the name of the central of the three summits of Hermon (q.v.).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(snow mountain), (1 Chronicles 5:23; Ezekiel 27:5) the Amorite name for Mount Hermon.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>se'-nir (senir; Saneir): This was the Amorite name of Mt. Hermon, according to De 3:9 (the King James Version "Shenir").' But in 1Ch 5:23; So 4:8, we have Senir and Hermon named as distinct mountains. It seems probable, however, that Senir applied to a definite part of the Anti-Lebanon or Hermon range. An inscription of Shalmaneser tells us that Hazael, king of Damascus, fortified Mt. Senir over against Mt. Lebanon. So in Eze 27:5, Senir, whence the Tyrians got planks of fir trees, is set over against Lebanon, where cedars were obtained. The Arab geographers give the name Jebel Sanir to the part of the Anti-Lebanon range which lies between Damascus and Homs (Yakut, circa 1225 AD, quoted by Guy le Strange in Palestine under the Moslems, 79. He also quotes Mas`udi, 943 AD, to the effect that Baalbek is in the district of Senir, 295).</p><p>W. Ewing</p>
  Back to Dictionary Search