Hebron
He’bron (alliance).
1. The third son of Kohath, who was the second son of Levi. Ex. 6:18; Num. 3:19; 1 Chron. 6:2, 18; 23:12. He was the founder of a family of Hebronites, Num. 3:27; 26:58; 1 Chron. 26:23, 30, 31, or Bene-Hebron. 1 Chron. 15:9; 23:19.
2. A city of Judah, Josh. 15:54, situated among the mountains, Josh. 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. Gen. 13:18. Its original name was Kirjath-arba, Judges 1:10, “the city of Arba”; so called from Arba the father of Anak. Josh. 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. Gen. 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-Khulı̂l, “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. Gen. 37:14; comp. 23:19. 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, Josh. 19:28; probably Ebdon or Abdom.
Hebron.
Mosque at Hebron covering the Cave of Machpelah.