Elijah on Mount Carmel
Elijah invited Ahab, the Israelites, the Ba’al “prophets” and the Ashera “prophets” to Mount Carmel for a showdown. The location of the confrontation is believed to be the Mukhraka (Arabic) or Keren HaCarmel (Hebrew) on top of Mount Carmel, but it is possible that the actual location is Metsudat Habama (the fort of the stage), pictured here.
Metsudat Habama is a natural stage, overlooking the entire Galilee. At the time of the mincha (evening prayer, when fire came down from the sky on Elijah’s sacrifice) the background was in the sun and the stage (with fire) in the shade. Theatrical.
Once the sacrifice scene was over, the Israelites captured the false prophets and brought them to Nahal Kishon where Elijah slaughtered them. Then he went to the top of Mount Carmel, which is described as a second location. If the sacrifice took place at the believed location, at the top of Mount Carmel, why would it be mentioned as a new location?
Image notes: Keren HaKarmel Nikon D700. Nikkor 55mm f2.8.