Revision #11579
Hebron
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Hebron in the Bible
- - **Patriarchal period**: Abraham lived by the oaks of Mamre at Hebron and built an altar there (Genesis 13:18). When Sarah died, he bought the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite and buried her there (Genesis 23). Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob were later buried in this cave as well (Genesis 49:29-32; 50:13).
- - **Conquest period**: The twelve spies saw the descendants of Anak at Hebron (Numbers 13:22). Caleb asked, "Now therefore give me this mountain," and received Hebron as his inheritance (Joshua 14:12-14). Hebron was one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and was also among the cities given to the descendants of Aaron (Joshua 21:11-13).
+ - **Patriarchal period**: Abraham dwelt by the oaks of Mamre at Hebron and built an altar there (Genesis 13:18). When Sarah died, he bought the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite and buried her there (Genesis 23). Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob were later buried in this cave as well (Genesis 49:29-32; 50:13).
+ - **Period of the conquest**: The twelve spies saw the descendants of Anak at Hebron (Numbers 13:22). Caleb asked, "Now therefore give me this mountain," and received Hebron as his inheritance (Joshua 14:12-14). Hebron was one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and was also among the cities given to the descendants of Aaron (Joshua 21:11-13).
= - **Period of the monarchy**: David was anointed king over Judah at Hebron and reigned there for seven years and six months (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 11). It was also at Hebron that he was made king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5). Later, the rebellion of Absalom began there (2 Samuel 15:10).
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= The ancient name of Hebron was Kiriath-arba. The Bible explains that this name came from Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim (Joshua 14:15). The name "Hebron" is commonly explained as related to a Hebrew root meaning "to join" or "to unite." Numbers 13:22 records that Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
=
- Today Hebron is a city in the West Bank. Over the site traditionally identified as the cave of Machpelah stands a large structure attributed to the Herodian period, and the site is regarded as holy in both Judaism and Islam. The Arabic name "al-Khalil" means "the friend" and derives from Abraham's designation as "the friend of God" (Isaiah 41:8).
+ Today Hebron is a city in the West Bank. Over the site traditionally identified as the cave of Machpelah stands a large structure attributed to the Herodian period, and the site is regarded as holy in both Judaism and Islam. The Arabic name "al-Khalil" means "the friend" and derives from Abraham's designation as the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8).
=
= ## Significance in the Whole of Scripture
- The cave of Machpelah was the first land Abraham owned in Canaan, the Promised Land. It is therefore read as the first visible sign of the fulfillment of God's promise of the land. The New Testament does not mention Hebron by name. Hebrews 11:9, 13-16, however, interprets the patriarchs' life in tents as that of strangers and pilgrims who desired a better country, and James 2:23 likewise calls Abraham the friend of God. In addition, David's accession at Hebron marks the beginning of the Davidic dynasty and, through it, of messianic expectation.
+ The cave of Machpelah was the first land Abraham owned in Canaan, the Promised Land. It is therefore read as the first visible sign of the fulfillment of God's promise of the land. The New Testament does not mention Hebron by name. Hebrews 11:9, 13-16, however, interprets the patriarchs' dwelling in tents as the life of strangers and pilgrims who desired a better country, and James 2:23 likewise calls Abraham the friend of God. In addition, David's accession at Hebron marks the starting point of the Davidic dynasty and of the messianic expectation that grew from it.
=
= ## Interpretation and Issues
- - **Stephen's speech**: In Acts 7:16, Stephen says that the patriarchs were laid in the tomb bought from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. This differs from the Genesis accounts of the purchase of the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23) and of Jacob's purchase of land at Shechem (Genesis 33:19). Proposed explanations include the view that Stephen telescoped the two events into a single statement and the view that the discrepancy arose in the course of transmission, among others.
+ - **Stephen's speech**: In Acts 7:16, Stephen says that the fathers were laid in the tomb bought from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. This differs from the Genesis accounts of Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23) and Jacob's purchase of land at Shechem (Genesis 33:19). Proposed explanations include the view that Stephen telescoped the two events into a single statement and the view that the discrepancy arose in the course of transmission, among others.
= - **The "city of four" tradition**: "Arba" means "four" in Hebrew. Drawing on this meaning, Jewish tradition holds that four couples, including Adam and Eve, were buried there. The biblical text, however, presents Arba as the name of a person.
= - **Location of the cave of Machpelah**: Whether the site traditionally identified today as the cave of Machpelah is the same as the biblical cave has not been archaeologically confirmed.
=
= ## In the Korean Church
- The passage in which Caleb asks for the hill country of Hebron (Joshua 14:12) is frequently used in Korean churches as a sermon text at the New Year, at ordination and installation services, or to encourage older believers to take up new challenges of faith. "Hebron" is also used as a name for churches and mission organizations.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, the passage in which Caleb asks for the hill country of Hebron (Joshua 14:12) is frequently used as a sermon text at the New Year, at ordination services, or to encourage older believers to take up new challenges of faith. "Hebron" is also used as a name for churches and mission organizations.
Hebron is an ancient city in the hill country of Judah. Abraham lived there, it is the site of the cave of Machpelah, where the patriarchs were buried, and it is where David first became king.
Hebron is an ancient city in the hill country of Judah. Abraham lived there, and it is the site of the cave of Machpelah, where the patriarchs were buried. It is also where David first became king.
Full revision
Hebron is an ancient city in the hill country of Judah. Abraham lived there, and it is the site of the cave of Machpelah, where the patriarchs were buried. It is also where David first became king.
Hebron in the Bible
- Patriarchal period: Abraham dwelt by the oaks of Mamre at Hebron and built an altar there (Genesis 13:18). When Sarah died, he bought the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite and buried her there (Genesis 23). Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob were later buried in this cave as well (Genesis 49:29-32; 50:13).
- Period of the conquest: The twelve spies saw the descendants of Anak at Hebron (Numbers 13:22). Caleb asked, "Now therefore give me this mountain," and received Hebron as his inheritance (Joshua 14:12-14). Hebron was one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and was also among the cities given to the descendants of Aaron (Joshua 21:11-13).
- Period of the monarchy: David was anointed king over Judah at Hebron and reigned there for seven years and six months (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 11). It was also at Hebron that he was made king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5). Later, the rebellion of Absalom began there (2 Samuel 15:10).
Background
The ancient name of Hebron was Kiriath-arba. The Bible explains that this name came from Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim (Joshua 14:15). The name "Hebron" is commonly explained as related to a Hebrew root meaning "to join" or "to unite." Numbers 13:22 records that Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
Today Hebron is a city in the West Bank. Over the site traditionally identified as the cave of Machpelah stands a large structure attributed to the Herodian period, and the site is regarded as holy in both Judaism and Islam. The Arabic name "al-Khalil" means "the friend" and derives from Abraham's designation as the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8).
Significance in the Whole of Scripture
The cave of Machpelah was the first land Abraham owned in Canaan, the Promised Land. It is therefore read as the first visible sign of the fulfillment of God's promise of the land. The New Testament does not mention Hebron by name. Hebrews 11:9, 13-16, however, interprets the patriarchs' dwelling in tents as the life of strangers and pilgrims who desired a better country, and James 2:23 likewise calls Abraham the friend of God. In addition, David's accession at Hebron marks the starting point of the Davidic dynasty and of the messianic expectation that grew from it.
Interpretation and Issues
- Stephen's speech: In Acts 7:16, Stephen says that the fathers were laid in the tomb bought from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. This differs from the Genesis accounts of Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23) and Jacob's purchase of land at Shechem (Genesis 33:19). Proposed explanations include the view that Stephen telescoped the two events into a single statement and the view that the discrepancy arose in the course of transmission, among others.
- The "city of four" tradition: "Arba" means "four" in Hebrew. Drawing on this meaning, Jewish tradition holds that four couples, including Adam and Eve, were buried there. The biblical text, however, presents Arba as the name of a person.
- Location of the cave of Machpelah: Whether the site traditionally identified today as the cave of Machpelah is the same as the biblical cave has not been archaeologically confirmed.
In the Korean Church
In Korean Protestant churches, the passage in which Caleb asks for the hill country of Hebron (Joshua 14:12) is frequently used as a sermon text at the New Year, at ordination services, or to encourage older believers to take up new challenges of faith. "Hebron" is also used as a name for churches and mission organizations.