Page 81 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook

Hebron
Hebron is one of the most ancient cities in the world still existing. The vicinity was long the favorite
camping-ground of the patriarchs. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dwelt here and it was here that Abraham
bought a burial tomb – the Cave of Machpelah. It also became a city of refuge for those who
inadvertently committed a crime. Hebron was the city that David occupied after his city of Ziklag was
destroyed by the Amalekites. It was here he was crowned king of Judah and the city became his first
capital. It is located in a valley whose sides are clothed with vineyards, groves of olives, and other fruit
trees.

Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs (Ma’arat
HaMachpela in Hebrew)

The Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is the known
burial site of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
and three of the four matriarchs, Sarah, Rebecca and
Leah (Rachel is buried in Bethlehem).
Traditionally, the tomb is also the burial place of Adam
and Eve and the area from where all souls enter the
Garden of Eden when they pass into the next world. The
large structure marks the origins of all three Abrahamic
religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is dated back 4,000 years – 700 years before the patriarch
Abraham set foot in Hebron. Recognized as a holy place by Abraham, the Bible (Genesis 23: 1-20)
recounts in detail his purchase of the cave for the grave of his wife, Sarah, and the future patriarchs and
matriarchs.

The compound is believed to be the oldest continuously used structure for prayer in the world and is the
oldest major building in the world that still fulfills its original function.

Tel Rumeida Bronze Age Archeological Site
This area, houses the Jewish neighborhood of
Admot Yishai (Jesse’s Lands). Some of the
residential apartments are built over important and
impressive excavated areas to allow public access
to the archaeological layer.

Some of the archeology found that supports Bible
narrative are ancient city walls that remain from
the Iron Age II (8th-7th century BCE) and are
associated with the Kings of Judah and Israel, a
cuneiform tablet with a cuneiform script, and 8th
century BCE private dwellings, granaries and
stamps “for the King” on jar handles.

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