Hebron
Hebron is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Tel Rumeida. It appears across 62 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Hebron is one of the oldest and most theologically significant cities in the Hebrew Bible. Abraham settled near the oaks of Mamre at Hebron (Genesis 13:18) and purchased the cave of Machpelah there as a burial ground for Sarah — the first land legally owned by the patriarchs in Canaan (Genesis 23). The cave became the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob, making Hebron the patriarchal necropolis of Israel. During the conquest, Caleb drove out the Anakites and claimed Hebron as his inheritance in reward for his wholehearted faith at Kadesh-barnea (Joshua 14:13–14). Hebron also served as a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and a Levitical city (Joshua 21:13). After Saul's death, David was anointed king over Judah at Hebron and reigned there for seven and a half years before moving his capital to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 2:1–4; 5:5). Absalom later launched his rebellion from Hebron (2 Samuel 15:7–10), exploiting its ancestral and political prestige. Few cities in Scripture carry such a dense weight of covenant history.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Tel Rumeida in modern Hebron is identified as ancient biblical Hebron. Excavations by Philip Hammond in the 1960s and more recently by Emanuel Eisenberg revealed occupational layers extending from the Early Bronze Age through the Iron Age and later periods. Significant Middle Bronze Age remains have been found, consistent with the Abrahamic period, including a massive MB II city wall. Iron Age II occupation confirms continued inhabitation during the monarchy period. The traditional site of Machpelah is marked by the Herodian enclosure still standing today, known as the Cave of the Patriarchs or Ibrahimi Mosque, one of the best-preserved Herodian structures outside Jerusalem.
Verse Appearances (62)
Num
Josh
1Sam
2Sam
1Kgs
2Chr
Neh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →