חֶבְרוֹן
Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites
Definition
Hebron (חֶבְרוֹן) is a significant city in the southern hill country of Judah, first mentioned in Genesis 13:18 as the place where Abram settled and built an altar to the Lord. It later became the burial site for the patriarchs and matriarchs in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:2, 19). The city also served as a key administrative and military center, notably as David's first capital when he reigned over Judah for seven and a half years (2 Samuel 2:1-4). Additionally, 'Hebron' is the name of two Israelite men: a Levite (Exodus 6:18) and a descendant of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:42-43).
Biblical Usage
The name Hebron appears 66 times in the Old Testament, primarily in the historical books of Genesis, Joshua, and Samuel. In Genesis, it is central to the patriarchal narratives as a place of dwelling, worship, and burial (Genesis 13:18, 23:2, 35:27). In Joshua, it is described as a city conquered and allotted to Caleb (Joshua 14:13-14). In Samuel and Kings, it features prominently as David's royal city before Jerusalem (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 5:1-5). The name also appears in genealogical lists for the Levite and Calebite individuals.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root חֶבֶר (cheber, H2267), meaning 'association,' 'league,' or 'company.' The name חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôn) likely means 'place of association' or 'seat of alliance,' possibly referring to its role as a communal or covenantal gathering place. This connects to its historical and theological significance as a center for patriarchal community and covenant life.
Semantic Range
Hebron holds deep theological importance as a land of promise and covenant fulfillment. It symbolizes God's faithfulness in giving the land to Abraham's descendants, as seen in the patriarchal burials there (Genesis 23). Its role as David's first capital underscores God's establishment of the Davidic kingship, a precursor to the Messianic line. Understanding Hebron enriches reading by highlighting themes of inheritance, covenant, and God's providential guidance in Israel's history.
In ancient Canaan, Hebron (formerly Kiriath-arba) was a major city in the Judean hills, known for its strategic location and fertile surroundings. Culturally, it was associated with the Anakim giants (Numbers 13:22) and later became a Levitical city and city of refuge (Joshua 20:7, 21:11). Its significance as a burial site reflected ancient Near Eastern values of ancestral land and continuity, differing from modern views by emphasizing permanent familial ties to specific geographic locations.
Kiriath-arba (קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע, H7153) — Earlier name for Hebron, meaning 'city of four.' Mamre (מַמְרֵא, H4471) — A specific oak grove or area near Hebron where Abraham dwelt.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →