Mount Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai, is called the "Mountain of God" for several key reasons rooted in its significant role in the Old Testament narrative:
* Revelation and Covenant: The most important reason is that it's the place where God revealed himself to Moses and gave him the Ten Commandments. This event marked the formal establishment of the covenant between God and the Israelites. The mountain served as the physical location where this divine-human encounter took place.
* Divine Presence: The Bible describes God's presence on the mountain as being accompanied by powerful and awe-inspiring phenomena, such as fire, smoke, thunder, and earthquakes. These displays underscored the mountain's sacred nature and its association with the divine.
* Guidance and Law: In addition to the Ten Commandments, God gave Moses a vast body of laws and instructions on Mount Sinai. These laws governed nearly every aspect of Israelite life, from religious rituals to social conduct, making the mountain the source of their entire legal and moral framework.
* Symbol of God's Authority: By choosing Mount Horeb as the site for these pivotal events, God established it as a symbol of his authority and power. The mountain became a place where people could encounter God and receive his guidance.
In summary, Mount Horeb is called the "Mountain of God" because it was the place where God dramatically revealed himself to Moses, established a covenant with the Israelites, gave them the Ten Commandments and other laws, and thereby became a symbol of his divine presence and authority.