Tomb of the Patriarchs (Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah). The 2nd holiest site in Judaism (Western Wall is first). 3,000 feet above sea level--the highest city in Israel. Abraham bought the property after his wife died. Abrahamic promise extended to Abraham near here. King David ruled from Hebron before moving his capital to Jerusalem. The structure is 2,000 years old, built by Herod, over the cave used 4,000 earlier. (more photos: Wiki &Tomb of the Patriarchs)
2 Sam 3:2, 5, 19-20, 22, 27, 32
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Bible Photo & Explanation: This building, one of the most famous in the Holy Land, was constructed in Hebron by King Herod over the traditional site of the cave of Machpelah, which was purchased by Abraham as a family burial site (Gen. 23).
Significant Events: Burial site of Sarah (Gen. 23) and Abraham (Gen. 25:9). Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were buried here as well (Gen. 49:30–31). Jacob’s body was brought from Egypt to Canaan and buried in the cave (Gen. 50).
Hebron BD: An ancient city of Judah, 3040 feet above the Mediterranean, 20 miles south of Jerusalem; known also as Mamre and Kirjath-arba (Gen. 13:18; 35:27). It was the burying place of Abraham and his family (23:2, 19; 49:29–32), and became the property of Caleb (Josh. 14:13–15). It was one of the six cities of refuge (Josh. 20:7), a Levitical city (Josh. 21:11, 13), and David’s capital during the earlier part of his reign (2 Sam. 5:3–5). During the later history of the nation it continued to be a place of importance, and it still has a large population.
Genesis 13:18: Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.
2 And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
Gen 35:27: And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
1 And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
32 ¶ And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
2 Sam 3:2, 5, 19-20, 22, 27, 32:
2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
19 And Abner also spake 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 that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, 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.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
1 And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the Lord hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9 ¶ And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the Lord liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 ¶ David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
13 ¶ And 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.
7 ¶ And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron.
9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10 ¶ But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
1 Chron 29:27: And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
Mamre BD: An Amorite in alliance with Abram (Gen. 14:13, 24); hence the name of the place where he lived near Hebron (13:18); afterwards a home of the patriarchs (18:1; 23:17, 19; 25:9; 35:27; 49:30; 50:13).
Arba BD: Father of Anak, ancestor of a race of giants (Josh. 14:15; 15:13; 21:11); founder of city of Arba, called Kirjath-arba, afterwards known as Hebron (Gen. 35:27).
Hill Country BD: A geographical term of frequent occurrence (Josh. 13:6; 21:11; Luke 1:39, 65), denoting the ridge of hills extending from Jezreel to Beersheba, attaining a maximum elevation of about 3000 feet near Hebron. The hills are sometimes bare but more often covered with herbage and shrubbery; the lower slopes are adapted for the culture of the vine, and the valleys are often very fertile.
Machpelah BD: Doubling. The field and cave bought by Abraham (Gen. 23:9, 17), where were buried Sarah (23:19), Abraham (25:9), Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah (49:30–31), and Jacob (50:13). It was situated on the top of the hill on which Hebron was built. The traditional site is now occupied by a mosque.