Hebron
Jump to: Hitchcock'sSmith'sATSISBEEaston'sConcordanceThesaurusHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Thesaurus
Hebron (71 Occurrences)
... Its earlier name was Kirjath-arba (Genesis 23:2; Joshua 14:15; 15:3). But "Hebron
would appear to have been the original name of the city, and it was not till ...
/h/hebron.htm - 41k

Abi-hebron (1 Occurrence)
Abi-hebron. Ab'ihail, Abi-hebron. Abihu . Multi-Version Concordance
Abi-hebron (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 2:42 And ...
/a/abi-hebron.htm - 6k

Arba (9 Occurrences)
... From him the city of Hebron derived its name of Kirjath-arba, ie, the city of Araba
(Joshua 14:15; 15:13; 21:11; Genesis 13:18; 23:2). (see HEBRON.). Int. ...
/a/arba.htm - 10k

Kiriath-arba (9 Occurrences)
... kir-i-ath-ar'-ba. See HEBRON. ... Kiriath-arba (9 Occurrences). Genesis 23:2 And Sarah
died in Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan. ...
/k/kiriath-arba.htm - 9k

Kirjath-arba (8 Occurrences)
... City of Arba, the original name of Hebron (qv), so called from the name of its
founder, one of the Anakim (Genesis 23:2; 35:27; Joshua 15:13). ...
/k/kirjath-arba.htm - 9k

Kiriath (34 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kiriath (34 Occurrences). Genesis 23:2 Sarah died
in Kiriath Arba (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan. ...
/k/kiriath.htm - 17k

Kir'iath-ar'ba (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:2 And Sarah died in Kiriatharba--the same is Hebron--in the land of Canaan;
and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. (See RSV). ...
/k/kir'iath-ar'ba.htm - 9k

Mamre (10 Occurrences)
... (2.) The name of the place in the neighbourhood of Hebron (qv) where Abraham dwelt
(Genesis 23 ... Others identify it with er-Rameh, 2 miles north of Hebron. Int. ...
/m/mamre.htm - 16k

Kirjatharba (6 Occurrences)
... City of Arba, the original name of Hebron (qv), so called from the name of its
founder, one of the Anakim (Genesis 23:2; 35:27; Joshua 15:13). ...
/k/kirjatharba.htm - 8k

Debir (12 Occurrences)
... Oracle town; sanctuary. (1.) One of the eleven cities to the west of Hebron,
in the highlands of Judah (Joshua 15:49; Judges 1:11-15). ...
/d/debir.htm - 16k

Bible Concordance
Hebron (71 Occurrences)

Genesis 13:18 Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 23:2 Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 23:19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:27 Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as foreigners.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 37:14 He said to him, "Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers, and well with the flock; and bring me word again." So he sent him out of the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 6:18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 3:19 The sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, and Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 13:22 They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 10:3 Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 10:5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their armies, and encamped against Gibeon, and made war against it.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 10:23 They did so, and brought those five kings out of the cave to him: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 10:36 Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, to Hebron; and they fought against it.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 10:39 He took it, with its king and all its cities. They struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls who were in it. He left none remaining. As he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to its king; as he had done also to Libnah, and to its king.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 11:21 Joshua came at that time, and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel: Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 12:10 the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 14:13 Joshua blessed him; and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 14:14 Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day; because he wholly followed Yahweh, the God of Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 14:15 Now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba, after the greatest man among the Anakim. The land had rest from war.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 15:13 To Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (the same is Hebron).
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 15:54 Humtah, Kiriath Arba (the same is Hebron), and Zior; nine cities with their villages.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 19:28 And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;
(KJV WBS YLT)

Joshua 20:7 They set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (the same is Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 21:11 They gave them Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (the same is Hebron), in the hill country of Judah, with its suburbs around it.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 21:13 To the children of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron with its suburbs, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Libnah with its suburbs,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 1:10 Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba); and they struck Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 1:20 They gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had spoken: and he drove out there the three sons of Anak.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 16:3 Samson lay until midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 30:31 and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men used to stay.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 2:1 It happened after this, that David inquired of Yahweh, saying, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?" Yahweh said to him, "Go up." David said, "Where shall I go up?" He said, "To Hebron."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 2:3 David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 2:4 The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, saying, "The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul."
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 2:11 The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 2:32 They took up Asahel, and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 3:2 To David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 3:5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 3:12 And Abner sent men to David at Hebron, saying, Make an agreement with me, and I will give you my support in getting all Israel on your side.
(BBE RSV)

2 Samuel 3:19 Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to the whole house of Benjamin.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 3:20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 3:22 Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 3:27 When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 3:32 They buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 4:1 When Ishbosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 4:8 They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, "Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! Yahweh has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 4:12 David commanded his young men, and they killed them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 5:1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 5:5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 5:13 David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron; and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 15:7 It happened at the end of forty years, that Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 15:8 For while I was living in Geshur in Aram, your servant made an oath, saying, If ever the Lord lets me come back to Jerusalem, I will give him worship in Hebron.
(BBE NIV)

2 Samuel 15:9 The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose, and went to Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 15:10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say,'Absalom is king in Hebron!'"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 2:11 The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty-three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 2:42 The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 2:43 The sons of Hebron: Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 3:1 Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 3:4 six were born to him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:2 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:55 to them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah, and its suburbs around it;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 6:57 To the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of refuge, Hebron; Libnah also with its suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa with its suburbs,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 11:1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 11:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Yahweh by Samuel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 12:23 These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 12:38 All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 15:9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and his brothers eighty;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 23:12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 23:19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 24:23 The sons of Hebron : Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 29:27 The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 11:10 and Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin, fortified cities.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Hebron

society; friendship

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Hebron

(alliance).

  1. The third son of Kohath, who was the second son of Levi. (Exodus 6:18; Numbers 3:19; 1 Chronicles 6:2,18; 23:12) He was the founder of a family of Hebronites, (Numbers 3:27; 26:58; 1 Chronicles 26:23,30,31), or Bene-Hebron. (1 Chronicles 15:9; 23:19)
  2. A city of Judah, (Joshua 15:54) situated among the mountains, (Joshua 20:7) 20 Roman miles south of Jerusalem, and the same distance north of Beersheba. Hebron is one of the most ancient cities in the world still existing; and in this respect it is the rival of Damascus. It was a well-known town when Abraham entered Canaan, 3800 years ago. (Genesis 13:18) Its original name was Kirjath-arba, (Judges 1:10) "the city of Arba;" so called from Arba the father of Anak. (Joshua 15:13,14; 21:13) Sarah died at Hebron; and Abraham then bought from Ephron the Hittite the field and cave of Machpelah, to serve as a family tomb (Genesis 23:2-20) The cave is still there, and the massive walls of the Haram or mosque, within which it lies, form the most remarkable object in the whole city. Abraham is called by Mohammedans el-Khulil , "the Friend," i.e. of God, and this is the modern name of Hebron. Hebron now contains about 5000 inhabitants, of whom some fifty families are Jews. It is picturesquely situated in a narrow valley, surrounded by rocky hills. The valley runs from north to south; and the main quarter of the town, surmounted by the lofty walls of the venerable Haram , lies partly on the eastern slope. (Genesis 37:14) comp. Genesis23:19 About a mile from the town, up the valley, is one of the largest oak trees in Palestine. This, say some, is the very tree beneath which Abraham pitched his tent, and it still bears the name of the patriarch.
  3. One of the towns in the territory of Asher, (Joshua 19:28) probably Ebdon or Abdom.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Hebron

One of the most ancient cities of Canaan, being built seven years before Tanis, the capital of Lower Egypt, Numbers 13:22. It was anciently called Kirjath-arba, (see ARBA,) and Mamre, and was a favorite residence of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Here too they were buried, Genesis 14:13-24 23:2-19 35:27. Under Joshua and Caleb the Israelites conquered it from the Canaanites and Anakim, and it was afterwards made a Levitical city of refuge, Joshua 14:13-15 15:13 21:11,13 Jude 1:10,20. It was David's seat of government during the seven years when he reigned over Judah only, 2 Samuel 2:3 5:5. Here Absalom raised the standard of revolt, 2 Samuel 15:9,10. It was fortified by Rehoboam, and is mentioned after the captivity, but not in the New Testament, Nehemiah 11:25. At present Hebron is an unwalled city of about 8,000 inhabitants, of whom some 600 are Jews, and the remainder Turks and Arabs. It lies in a deep valley and on the adjacent hillside, in the ancient hill-country of Judea, about 2,600 feet above the sea. Its modern name, El-khulil, the friend, is the same which the Moslems give to Abraham, "the friend of God;" and they profess to hold in their keeping the burial-place of the patriarchs, the "cave of Machpelah." It is covered by a small mosque, surrounded by a stone structure 60 feet high, 150 feet wide, and 200 feet long. Within this no Christian is permitted to enter; but it is evidently of very high antiquity, and may well be regarded as inclosing the true site of the ancient tomb. Other relics of antiquity exist in two stone reservoirs, the larger 133 feet square, and 21 feet deep. They are still in daily use; and one of them was probably the "pool in Hebron," above which David hung up the assassins of Ish-bosheth, 2 Samuel 4:12. The city contains nine mosques and two synagogues. Its streets are narrow; the houses of stone, with flat roofs surmounted by small domes. Large quantities of glass lamps and colored rings are here manufactured; also leathern bottles, raisins, and dibs, or grape-syrup. The environs of the city are very fertile, furnishing the finest vineyards in Palestine, numerous plantations of olive and other fruit trees, and excellent pasturage. See ESHCOL, MAMRE.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
A community; alliance.

(1.) A city in the south end of the valley of Eshcol, about midway between Jerusalem and Beersheba, from which it is distant about 20 miles in a straight line. It was built "seven years before Zoan in Egypt" (Genesis 13:18; Numbers 13:22). It still exists under the same name, and is one of the most ancient cities in the world. Its earlier name was Kirjath-arba (Genesis 23:2; Joshua 14:15; 15:3). But "Hebron would appear to have been the original name of the city, and it was not till after Abraham's stay there that it received the name Kirjath-arba, who [i.e., Arba] was not the founder but the conqueror of the city, having led thither the tribe of the Anakim, to which he belonged. It retained this name till it came into the possession of Caleb, when the Israelites restored the original name Hebron" (Keil, Com.). The name of this city does not occur in any of the prophets or in the New Testament. It is found about forty times in the Old. It was the favorite home of Abraham. Here he pitched his tent under the oaks of Mamre, by which name it came afterwards to be known; and here Sarah died, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:17-20), which he bought from Ephron the Hittite. From this place the patriarch departed for Egypt by way of Beersheba (37:14; 46:1). It was taken by Joshua and given to Caleb (Joshua 10:36, 37; 12:10; 14:13). It became a Levitical city and a city of refuge (20:7; 21:11). When David became king of Judah this was his royal residence, and he resided here for seven and a half years (2 Samuel 5:5); and here he was anointed as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 11; 1 Kings 2:11). It became the residence also of the rebellious Absalom (2 Samuel 15:10), who probably expected to find his chief support in the tribe of Judah, now called el-Khulil.

In one part of the modern city is a great mosque, which is built over the grave of Machpelah. The first European who was permitted to enter this mosque was the Prince of Wales in 1862. It was also visited by the Marquis of Bute in 1866, and by the late Emperor Frederick of Germany (then Crown-Prince of Prussia) in 1869.

One of the largest oaks in Palestine is found in the valley of Eshcol, about 3 miles north of the town. It is supposed by some to be the tree under which Abraham pitched his tent, and is called "Abraham's oak." (see OAK.)

(2.) The third son of Kohath the Levite (Exodus 6:18; 1 Chronicles 6:2, 18).

(3.) 1 Chronicles 2:42, 43.

(4.) A town in the north border of Asher (Joshua 19:28).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HEBRON (1)

he'-brun (chebhron, "league" or "confederacy"; Chebron): One of the most ancient and important cities in Southern Palestine, now known to the Moslems as el Khalil (i.e. Khalil er Rahman, "the friend of the Merciful," i.e. of God, a favorite name for Abraham; compare James 2:23). The city is some 20 miles South of Jerusalem, situated in an open valley, 3,040 ft. above sea-level.

I. History of the City.

Hebron is said to have been rounded before Zoan (i.e. Tanis) in Egypt (Numbers 13:22); its ancient name was Kiriath-arba, probably meaning the "Four Cities," perhaps because divided at one time into four quarters, but according to Jewish writers so called because four patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Adam were buried there. According to Joshua 15:13 it was so called after Arba, the father of Anak.

1. Patriarchal Period:

Abram came and dwelt by the oaks of MAMRE (which see), "which are in Hebron" Genesis (13:18); from here he went to the rescue of Lot and brought him back after the defeat of Chedorlaomer (14:13); here his name was changed to Abraham (17:5); to this place came the three angels with the promise of a son (18:1); Sarah died here (23:2), and for her sepulcher Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah (23:17); here Isaac and Jacob spent much of their lives (35:27; 37:14); from here Jacob sent Joseph to seek his brethren (37:14), and hence, Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt (46:1). In the cave of Machpelah all the patriarchs and their wives, except Rachel, were buried (49:30; 50:13).

2. Times of Joshua and Judges:

The spies visited Hebron and near there cut the cluster of grapes (Numbers 13:22 f). HOHAM (which see), king of Hebron, was one of the five kings defeated by Joshua at Beth-horon and slain at Makkedah (Joshua 10:3 f). Caleb drove out from Hebron the "three sons of Anak" (Joshua 14:12; Joshua 15:14); it became one of the cities of Judah (Joshua 15:54), but was set apart for the Kohathite Levites (Joshua 21:10 f), and became a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7). One of Samson's exploits was the carrying of the gate of Gaza "to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron" (Judges 16:3).

3. The Days of the Monarchy:

David, when a fugitive, received kindness from the people of this city (1 Samuel 30:31); here Abner was treacherously slain by Joab at the gate (2 Samuel 3:27), and the sons of Rimmon, after their hands and feet had been cut off, were hanged "beside the pool" (2 Samuel 4:12). After the death of Saul, David was here anointed king (2 Samuel 5:3) and reigned here 7 1/2 years, until he captured Jerusalem and made that his capital (2 Samuel 5:5); while here, six sons were born to him (2 Samuel 3:2). In this city Absalom found a center for his disaffection, and repairing there under pretense of performing a vow to Yahweh, he raised the standard of revolt (2 Samuel 15:7 f). Josephus mistakenly places here the dream of Solomon (Ant., VIII, ii, 1) which occurred at Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4). Hebron was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:10).

4. Later History:

Probably during the captivity Hebron came into the hands of Edom, though it appears to have been colonized by returning Jews (Nehemiah 11:25); it was recovered from Edom by Simon Maccabeus (1 Maccabees 5:65; Josephus, Ant, XII, viii, 6). In the first great revolt against Rome, Simon bar-Gioras captured the city (BJ, IV, ix, 7), but it was retaken, for Vespasian, by his general Cerealis who carried it by storm, slaughtered the inhabitants and burnt it (ibid., 9).

During the Muslim period Hebron has retained its importance on account of veneration to the patriarchs, especially Abraham; for the same reason it was respected by the Crusaders who called it Castellum ad Sanctum Abraham. In 1165 it became the see of a Latin bishop, but 20 years later it fell to the victorious arms of Saladin, and it has ever since remained a fanatic Moslem center, although regarded as a holy city, alike by Moslem, Jew and Christian.

II. The Ancient Site.

Modern Hebron is a straggling town clustered round the Haram or sacred enclosure built above the traditional cave of MACHPELAH (which see); it is this sacred spot which has determined the present position of the town all through the Christian era, but it is quite evident that an exposed and indefensible situation, running along a valley, like this, could not have been that of earlier and less settled times. From many of the pilgrim narratives, we can gather that for long there had been a tradition that the original site was some distance from the modern town, and, as analogy might suggest, upon a hill. There can be little doubt that the site of the Hebron of Old Testament history is a lofty, olive-covered hill, lying to the West of the present town, known as er Rumeidy. Upon its summit are cyclopian walls and other traces of ancient occupation. In the midst are the ruins of a medieval building known as Der el-Arba`in, the "monastery of the forty" (martyrs) about whom the Hebronites have an interesting folklore tale. In the building are shown the so-called tombs of Jesse and Ruth. Near the foot of the hill are several fine old tombs, while to the North is a large and very ancient Jewish cemetery, the graves of which are each covered with a massive monolith, 5 and 6 ft. long. At the eastern foot of the hill is a perennial spring, `Ain el Judeideh; the water rises in a vault, roofed by masonry and reached by steps. The environs of this hill are full of folklore associations; the summit would well repay a thorough excavation.

A mile or more to the Northwest of Hebron is the famous oak of MAMRE (which see), or "Abraham's oak," near which the Russians have erected a hospice. It is a fine specimen of the Holm oak (Quercus coccifera), but is gradually dying. The present site appears to have been pointed out as that of Abraham's tent since the 12th century; the earlier traditional site was at Ramet el Khalil.

See MAMRE.

III. Modern Hebron.

Modern Hebron is a city of some 20,000 inhabitants, 85 percent of whom are Moslems and the remainder mostly Jews. The city is divided into seven quarters, one of which is known as that of the "glass blowers" and another as that of the "water-skin makers." These industries, with the manufacture of pottery, are the main sources of trade. The most conspicuous building is the Haram (see MACHPELAH). In the town are two large open reservoirs the Birket el Qassasin, the "pool of the glass blowers" and Birket es Sultan, "the pool of the Sultan." This latter, which is the larger, is by tradition the site of the execution of the murderers of Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 4:12). The Moslem inhabitants are noted for their fanatical exclusiveness and conservatism, but this has been greatly modified in recent years through the patient and beneficent work of Dr. Paterson, of the U. F. Ch. of S. Med. Mission. The Jews, who number about 1,500, are mostly confined to a special ghetto; they have four synagogues, two Sephardic and two Ashkenazic; they are a poor and unprogressive community.

For Hebron (Joshua 19:28) see EBRON.

E. W. G. Masterman

HEBRON (2)

(chebhron, "league," "association"):

(1) The third son of Kohath, son of Levi (Exodus 6:18 Numbers 3:19, 27 1 Chronicles 6:2, 18; 1 Chronicles 23:12, 19).

(2) A son of Mareshah and descendant of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:42, 43).

See also KORAH.

Strong's Hebrew
1944. Hoham -- an Amorite king of Hebron
... 1943, 1944. Hoham. 1945 . an Amorite king of Hebron. Transliteration:
Hoham Phonetic Spelling: (ho-hawm') Short Definition: Hoham. ...
/hebrew/1944.htm - 5k

8600b. Tappuach -- a son of Hebron
... a son of Hebron. Transliteration: Tappuach Short Definition: Tappuah. Word Origin
from naphach Definition a son of Hebron NASB Word Usage Tappuah (1). ...
/hebrew/8600b.htm - 5k

6730. Tsior -- a place near Hebron
... 6729, 6730. Tsior. 6731 . a place near Hebron. Transliteration: Tsior
Phonetic Spelling: (tsee-ore') Short Definition: Zior. Word ...
/hebrew/6730.htm - 6k

6062. Anaq -- "neck," a giant people around Hebron and in ...
... 6061, 6062. Anaq. 6063 . "neck," a giant people around Hebron and in Philistia.
Transliteration: Anaq Phonetic Spelling: (an-aw-kee') Short Definition: Anakim ...
/hebrew/6062.htm - 6k

812. Eshkol -- an Amorite, also a region of Hebron
... 811, 812. Eshkol. 813 . an Amorite, also a region of Hebron. Transliteration:
Eshkol Phonetic Spelling: (esh-kole') Short Definition: Eshcol. ...
/hebrew/812.htm - 6k

2276. Chebroni -- inhab. of Hebron
... inhab. of Hebron. Transliteration: Chebroni or Chebroni Phonetic Spelling:
(kheb-ro-nee') Short Definition: Hebronites. ... of Hebron NASB Word Usage Hebronites ( ...
/hebrew/2276.htm - 6k

7153. Qiryath Arba -- "city of the four," an older name of Hebron
Qiryath Arba or Qiryath Haarba. 7152, 7153. Qiryath Arba or Qiryath Haarba. 7154 .
"city of the four," an older name of Hebron. Transliteration: Qiryath Arba ...
/hebrew/7153.htm - 6k

2128. Ziph -- a son of Judah, also a city Southeast of Hebron and ...
... Ziph. 2129 . a son of Judah, also a city Southeast of Hebron and a city in S.
Judah. Transliteration: Ziph Phonetic Spelling: (zeef) Short Definition: Ziph. ...
/hebrew/2128.htm - 6k

3760. Karmel -- a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a ...
... a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a city near Hebron. Transliteration:
Karmel Phonetic Spelling: (kar-mel') Short Definition: Carmel. ...
/hebrew/3760.htm - 6k

4375. Makpelah -- a place near Hebron
... 4374, 4375. Makpelah. 4376 . a place near Hebron. Transliteration: Makpelah
Phonetic Spelling: (mak-pay-law') Short Definition: Machpelah. ...
/hebrew/4375.htm - 6k

Library

Hebron
... Chapters 41-50 Chapter 49 Hebron. ... Hebron was placed, as in the mountainous country
of Judea, so in a place very rocky, but yet in a very fruitful coast. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 49 hebron.htm

Hebron. LM
... 234 Hebron. LM. Deprecating the Withdrawal of the Spirit. (494) Stay, thou
insulted Spirit, stay, Though I have done thee such despite ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/234 hebron l m.htm

Hebron. LM
... 232 Hebron. LM. My Yoke is Easy, My Burden Light. (495) Oh, that my load
of sin were gone; Oh, that I could at last submit At Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/232 hebron l m.htm

Hebron. LM
... 540 Hebron. LM. Corner-Stone Laying. (1178) An earthly temple here we raise,
Lord God, our Savior! to thy praise; Oh! make thy gracious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/540 hebron l m.htm

Hebron. LM
... 233 Hebron. LM. Pardon Penitently Implored. (493) Show pity, Lord, O Lord, forgive;
Let a repenting rebel live; Are not thy mercies large and free? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/233 hebron l m.htm

How Isaac Died, and was Buried in Hebron.
... From The Creation To The Death Of Isaac. CHAPTER 22. How Isaac Died, And
Was Buried In Hebron. From thence Jacob came to Hebron, a ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 22 how isaac died.htm

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... Containing The Interval Of Forty Years. From The Death Of Saul To The Death Of David.
CHAPTER 1. How David Reigned Over One Tribe At Hebron While The Son Of. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

The Mountainous Country of Judea.
... out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains,
that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 11 the mountainous country.htm

A Son is Promised to Zechariah
... Zechariah had to perform his service in the Temple twice a year. They lived not
in Hebron itself, but in Juttah, about an hour's distance from it. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vi a son is promised.htm

One Fold and one Shepherd
... THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL ONE FOLD AND ONE SHEPHERD. 'Then came all the tribes of
Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/one fold and one shepherd.htm

Subtopics

Hebron

Hebron: A City of the Territory of the Tribe of Asher

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: A City of Refuge

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Abraham Lived There and Sarah Died At

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Absalom Made King At

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Arba

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Called Kirjath-Arba

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Conquest of, by Caleb

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: David Crowned King of Israel At

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: David Crowned King of Judah At

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Descendants of the Anakim Live At

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Fortified

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Jews of the Babylonian Captivity Lived At

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: Pool of

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: The Burial Place of Abner

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: The Burial Place of Ish-Bosheth

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: The Burial Place of Sarah

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: The Conspirators Against Ish-Bosheth Hanged At

Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: when Built

Hebron: Hoham, King of, Confederated With Other Kings of the Canaanites Against Joshua

Hebron: Son of Kohath

Related Terms

Abi-hebron (1 Occurrence)

Arba (9 Occurrences)

Kiriath-arba (9 Occurrences)

Kirjath-arba (8 Occurrences)

Kiriath (34 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-ar'ba (9 Occurrences)

Mamre (10 Occurrences)

Kirjatharba (6 Occurrences)

Debir (12 Occurrences)

Talmai (6 Occurrences)

Eshcol (6 Occurrences)

Anakim (10 Occurrences)

Ahiman (4 Occurrences)

Uz'ziel (16 Occurrences)

Uzziel (17 Occurrences)

Izhar (10 Occurrences)

Thirty-three (7 Occurrences)

Eglon (13 Occurrences)

Anak (8 Occurrences)

Amram (14 Occurrences)

Sheshai (3 Occurrences)

Machpelah (6 Occurrences)

Caleb (39 Occurrences)

Jizhar (7 Occurrences)

Jahaziel (6 Occurrences)

Ish-bo'sheth (13 Occurrences)

Compact (6 Occurrences)

Ahi'man (4 Occurrences)

Amariah (14 Occurrences)

She'shai (3 Occurrences)

Ishbosheth (13 Occurrences)

Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Lachish (22 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zior (1 Occurrence)

Juttah (3 Occurrences)

Jarmuth (7 Occurrences)

Jephunneh (16 Occurrences)

Jephun'neh (16 Occurrences)

Jo'ab (120 Occurrences)

Tappuah (8 Occurrences)

Eshtemoa (5 Occurrences)

Burying-place (19 Occurrences)

Bethzur (4 Occurrences)

Beforetime (21 Occurrences)

Bethtappuah (1 Occurrence)

Beth-tappuah (1 Occurrence)

Anab (2 Occurrences)

Ahinoam (7 Occurrences)

Abner's (4 Occurrences)

Sirah (1 Occurrence)

Earlier (48 Occurrences)

Abner (54 Occurrences)

Zoan (7 Occurrences)

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)

Negeb (37 Occurrences)

Libnah (18 Occurrences)

Negev (39 Occurrences)

Kiriatharba (2 Occurrences)

Bury (78 Occurrences)

Buried (125 Occurrences)

Formerly (55 Occurrences)

Pasture (120 Occurrences)

Oak (22 Occurrences)

Oldest (58 Occurrences)

Sepulcher (48 Occurrences)

Refuge (111 Occurrences)

Carmel (33 Occurrences)

Absalom (93 Occurrences)

Reigned (206 Occurrences)

Territory (140 Occurrences)

Zanoah (5 Occurrences)

Zo'an (7 Occurrences)

Nabal (18 Occurrences)

Outskirts (38 Occurrences)

Jutah (1 Occurrence)

Judaea (45 Occurrences)

Links
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Hebrews
Top of Page
Top of Page