Machpelah
Machpelah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Cave of the Patriarchs. It appears across 6 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Machpelah is one of the most revered sites in biblical history, serving as the burial place of Israel's patriarchs and matriarchs. Abraham purchased the cave and field of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite for four hundred shekels of silver to bury his wife Sarah (Genesis 23:1-20). This transaction, recorded in remarkable legal detail, represents the first piece of the Promised Land permanently acquired by Abraham's family. Abraham himself was later buried there (Genesis 25:9), as were Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah (Genesis 49:29-31; 50:13). Jacob, dying in Egypt, specifically requested burial at Machpelah, and Joseph fulfilled this wish after an elaborate funeral procession from Egypt. The cave of Machpelah thus became a tangible testimony to faith in God's promise: though the patriarchs possessed almost none of the Promised Land during their lifetimes, their burial in this purchased plot expressed confident hope in the ultimate fulfillment of that promise. Hebrews 11:13 reflects on this faith of those who died "not having received the promises."
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Machpelah is identified with the Cave of the Patriarchs (Haram el-Khalil) in Hebron. The site is enclosed by a massive Herodian structure built by Herod the Great around 30 BCE, featuring walls of enormous ashlar blocks, some weighing over 500 tons, rising to approximately 12 meters. This enclosure, one of the best-preserved Herodian structures in existence, has been continuously venerated by Jews, Christians, and Muslims for over two millennia. The actual cave system beneath the structure has been only partially explored due to the site's religious sensitivity. In 1119, Crusaders reported discovering bones within the caves. Today the site functions as both a synagogue and a mosque (the Ibrahimi Mosque), divided following the 1994 agreement. It remains one of the most contested and sacred sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Verse Appearances (6)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →