What Does “Carmelite” Mean in the Bible?
Office or title
A religious brother or sister of the Order of Carmel, which began on Mount Carmel. They live to pray.
It can mean
- Its name: it comes from Mount Carmel, in Israel. The prophet Elijah was there, and later Elisha.
- Their vows: they promise God to live in chastity, poverty, and obedience.
Today
Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux were Carmelites.
Where it appears in the Bible
1 Kings 18:19; 1 Kings 18:42; 2 Kings 2:25
What the Bible says
1 Kings 18:19
Nevertheless send now, and gather unto me all Israel, unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, who eat at Jezabel’s table.
1 Kings 18:42
Achab went up to eat and drink: and Elias went up to the top of Carmel, and casting himself down upon the earth put his face between his knees,
2 Kings 2:25
And from thence he went to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Carmelites”; Catechism 915