Atlas - Hebron

Navigating the Bible

Places

HEBRON

Biblical History of Hebron

From The Glory of the Old Testament

Hebron, a short distance south of Jerusalem is 2800 feet above sea level in the Judean Hills. According to the Bible (Numbers 13:22), Hebron was founded seven years before Zoan, the capital of the Hyksos in Egypt, which, it is known, was founded in c.1720 B.C. Between the time of Abraham and that of Moses it was inhabited by Hittites from northern Syria, who administered the area on behalf of the Hyksos who ruled Egypt at that time. It was one of the important localities visited by the twelve spies sent by Moses "to spy out the land of Canaan" (Numbers 1:18).

After the death of Saul, David chose Hebron as his royal city and was anointed there as king over Judah and eventually as king over all Israel (II Samuel 2:1-4; 5:1-3), before making Jerusalem his capital.

The town was partly destroyed by the Romans when they crushed the great Jewish revolt (A.D. 70). However, it remained inhabited, and during the Byzantine period churches and synagogues were built there. According to Moslem tradition, Noah was also buried there [in addition to Abraham].

Tomb of the Patriarchs

The Tomb of the Patriarchs, in present-day Hebron, is considered by Jews and Muslims to be the site of the Cave of Makhpelah where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah were buried.