Olives, the Mount of, Olivet, Mount. A mountain ridge to the east of Jerusalem, from which it is separated by the valley of Jehoshaphat. It has three or four summits or peaks. The mount of Olives, called also Olivet, and by the Arabs at present Jebel et-Tur, a name they give to elevated summits generally, was so styled from the olive trees which clothed its sides. Some of these still remain; and on part of the hill are corn-fields; and in a few half-cultivated gardens are fig and pomegranate trees.

Olivet is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, up its slopes David, fleeing from Jerusalem for fear of Absalom, went wearied and weeping. Here he met Hushai and Ziba. 2 Samuel 15:30; 2 Samuel 16:4. It is also referred to by Zechariah. Zechariah 14:4. From Olivet our Lord looked down upon Jerusalem and wept bitter tears over its perverseness. Over Olivet he passed to and fro visiting Bethany. On the side of Olivet was Gethsemane. On Olivet, the last charge was given to the disciples who were thenceforth to build up the Christian church, and from its top Christ ascended to reign till every enemy snail be subdued beneath his feet. Matthew 24:3; Matthew 26:30; Mark 11:1-20; Mark 13:8; Mark 14:26; Luke 19:29-44; Luke 21:37; Luke 22:39; John 8:1; Acts 1:9-12. Christ did not ascend from the spot where now stands the church of the Ascension: it was rather from some point over the summit, near to Bethany. Luke 24:50-51. The views from this mount in different directions are extensive; Jerusalem on one side, on another there are the dreary hills over which the road passes to Jericho, with the northern end of the Dead Sea visible, and the mountains of Moab beyond. The highest point of Olivet is 2682 feet above the sea-level.

Bibliography Information
Rice, Edwin Wilbur, DD. Entry for 'Olives'. People's Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/rpd/o/olives.html. 1893.

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People's Dictionary of the Bible

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Olives