Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
A community; alliance. ) 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” (Gen. 13:18; Num. 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 (Gen. 23:2; Josh. 14:15; 15:3). , Arba] was not the founder but the conqueror of the city, having led thither the tribe of the Anakim, to which he belonged. ).
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 (Gen. 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 (Josh. 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 Sam. 5:5); and here he was anointed as king over all Israel (2 Sam. 2:1-4, 11; 1 Kings 2:11). It became the residence also of the rebellious Absalom (2 Sam. 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. ) The third son of Kohath the Levite (Ex. 6:18; 1 Chr. 6:2, 18). ) 1 Chr. 2:42, 43. ) A town in the north border of Asher (Josh. 19:28).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(alliance).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
HE'BRON (alliance). A son of Kohath, and therefore grandson of Levi, Ex 6:18; Num 3:19; 1 Chr 6:2, 1 Chr 6:18; 1 Chr 23:12. 2, A name in the genealogical lists of the tribe of Judah. 1 Chr 2:42-43.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
HE'BRON (friendship), an ancient town of Palestine, about 20 miles south of Jerusalem, and the same distance north of Beer-sheba; first called Kirjatharba, or "city of Arba," the father of Anak. Josh 21:11; Josh 15:13-14; Jud 1:10. Some interpret the name to mean "a city of four," or as having four distinct quarters. It lies about 3OOO feet above the level of the sea, and is one of the oldest towns in the world and mentioned before Damascus, Gen 13:18; Gen 15:2, and was built 7 years before Zoan, or Tanis, in Egypt, Num 13:22. History. , but nowhere in the New.
Abraham pitched his tent under the oaks of Mamre, near Hebron, Gen 13:18, and he bought the cave of Machpelah, as a burial-place. Gen 23:17-20. See Machpelah. Hebron was taken by Joshua, Josh 10:36-37; Neh 12:10, and the region given to Caleb, Josh 14:13; was rebuilt and made a Levitical city and a city of refuge, Josh 20:7; Rev 21:11; was the royal residence of David, 2 Sam 2:1-14; 1 Kgs 2:11; became the headquarters of the rebellious Absalom, 2 Sam 15:10; was fortified by Rehoboam and re-peopled after the Captivity. 2 Chr 11:10; Neh 11:25. d.
1167-1187, but at the latter date it fell into the hands of Saladin, and has since been held by the Moslems. A pool is still shown over which tradition says that David hung the murderers of Ishbosheth, and the tomb of Abner and Ishbosheth is also pointed out within an Arab house. Present Condition. — Hebron is in a narrow part of a valley and surrounded by fertile lands, vineyards, olive-groves, and almond and fig trees. The town has many spacious houses, built of stone, and numbers about 10,000 souls, including 500 Jews; but there is not a single Christian family there.
The city is divided into several quarters, in one of which is the great mosque, a massive structure, about 200 by 150 feet on the ground and nearly 50 feet high, with two minarets. This mosque is known to conceal the noted cave of Machpelah, the burial-place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their wives, except Rachel, The mosque is closed against visitors and guarded with the strictest care by the Moslems. Only three times have Europeans been permitted to enter it — the Prince of Wales in 1862, the marquis of Bute in 1866, and the crown-prince of Prussia in 1869.
These visitors were accompanied by Dean Stanley, Fergusson, Rosen, and others, Hebron is a hotbed of Moslem fanaticism. About two miles west of the city, on the road toward Gaza, is the famous oak of Abraham, a majestic and venerable tree whose trunk measures 32 feet in circumference, and at the height of 19 feet it divides into four huge branches, forming a crown upwards of 275 feet in circumference. The tree is surrounded by a wall, and on the hill above it the Russians have built a fine hospice. " — Jewish War, iv. 9,7. For view of "Abraham's Oak," see under Abraham.
The town carries on a brisk trade with the Bedouins, and manufactures waterskins from goats' hides, and pretty glass ornaments. Glass was made there early in the Middle Ages. A city of Asher, Josh 19:28; perhaps Abdon of Josh 21:30; now 'Ahdeh.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
society; friendship
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
HE'BRON (friendship), an ancient town of Palestine, about 20 miles south of Jerusalem, and the same distance north of Beer-sheba; first called Kirjatharba, or "city of Arba," the father of Anak. Josh 21:11; Josh 15:13-14; Jud 1:10. Some interpret the name to mean "a city of four," or as having four distinct quarters. It lies about 3OOO feet above the level of the sea, and is one of the oldest towns in the world and mentioned before Damascus, Gen 13:18; Gen 15:2, and was built 7 years before Zoan, or Tanis, in Egypt, Num 13:22. History. , but nowhere in the New.
Abraham pitched his tent under the oaks of Mamre, near Hebron, Gen 13:18, and he bought the cave of Machpelah, as a burial-place. Gen 23:17-20. See Machpelah. Hebron was taken by Joshua, Josh 10:36-37; Neh 12:10, and the region given to Caleb, Josh 14:13; was rebuilt and made a Levitical city and a city of refuge, Josh 20:7; Rev 21:11; was the royal residence of David, 2 Sam 2:1-14; 1 Kgs 2:11; became the headquarters of the rebellious Absalom, 2 Sam 15:10; was fortified by Rehoboam and re-peopled after the Captivity. 2 Chr 11:10; Neh 11:25. d.
1167-1187, but at the latter date it fell into the hands of Saladin, and has since been held by the Moslems. A pool is still shown over which tradition says that David hung the murderers of Ishbosheth, and the tomb of Abner and Ishbosheth is also pointed out within an Arab house. Present Condition. — Hebron is in a narrow part of a valley and surrounded by fertile lands, vineyards, olive-groves, and almond and fig trees. The town has many spacious houses, built of stone, and numbers about 10,000 souls, including 500 Jews; but there is not a single Christian family there.
The city is divided into several quarters, in one of which is the great mosque, a massive structure, about 200 by 150 feet on the ground and nearly 50 feet high, with two minarets. This mosque is known to conceal the noted cave of Machpelah, the burial-place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their wives, except Rachel, The mosque is closed against visitors and guarded with the strictest care by the Moslems. Only three times have Europeans been permitted to enter it — the Prince of Wales in 1862, the marquis of Bute in 1866, and the crown-prince of Prussia in 1869.
These visitors were accompanied by Dean Stanley, Fergusson, Rosen, and others, Hebron is a hotbed of Moslem fanaticism. About two miles west of the city, on the road toward Gaza, is the famous oak of Abraham, a majestic and venerable tree whose trunk measures 32 feet in circumference, and at the height of 19 feet it divides into four huge branches, forming a crown upwards of 275 feet in circumference. The tree is surrounded by a wall, and on the hill above it the Russians have built a fine hospice. " — Jewish War, iv. 9,7. For view of "Abraham's Oak," see under Abraham.
The town carries on a brisk trade with the Bedouins, and manufactures waterskins from goats' hides, and pretty glass ornaments. Glass was made there early in the Middle Ages.