📖 Biblical Definition
Olivet — the Mount of Olives — is the ridge running north-south east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley, rising about 2,700 feet. It was the geographic stage of the most decisive moments of Christ’s passion week and resurrection. He wept over the city from its western slope: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... how often would I have gathered thy children together!" (Luke 19:41; Matthew 23:37). He delivered the Olivet Discourse on its crest (Matthew 24-25). He prayed in Gethsemane at its foot (Matthew 26:36-46). He was arrested there. And He ascended bodily into heaven from Olivet (Acts 1:9-12) — and Zechariah prophesies His feet shall stand on the same mount at His return (Zechariah 14:4).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
OL'IVET, n.
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The Mount of Olives, a hill on the east side of Jerusalem, separated from the city by the valley of Jehoshaphat. From this hill our Savior ascended into heaven.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 19:41 — "When he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it."
Matthew 24:3 — "As he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately."
Acts 1:12 — "They returned unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet."
Zechariah 14:4 — "His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
The hill that saw the tears, the prayer, and the ascension will see Him return.
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Olivet is the most concentrated geography in the Gospels. Its slope saw Jesus weep over Jerusalem; its summit saw the Olivet Discourse where He answered the disciples about the end of the age; its base held the garden where He sweat blood. Three days later, the same ridge saw Him risen and walking; forty days after that, the same hill watched Him ascend. The angels who said This same Jesus... shall so come in like manner were standing on Olivet.
Zechariah 14:4 closes the loop: His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives. The mountain that absorbed His tears will host His return. Modern Christianity has spiritualized Zechariah out of its plain reading; the ground itself disagrees. The literal Olivet that Christ literally ascended from will see literal feet again. Look up.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Har ha-Zeitim; Greek Elaion (G1638).
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G1638 — Elaion — Mount of Olives; olive grove
H2132 — zayit — olive, olive tree
Usage
"The same hill that watched Him weep watched Him ascend — and will watch Him return."
"Zechariah 14 is dirt-level prophecy; spiritualizing it loses the gospel of the second coming."
"Every Olivet Discourse-believing saint should be more sober and more hopeful at once."