1. Bible Places A to Z Lesson 7

2. Hebron – Early Years First mentioned in Genesis 13:18 Abram moved there; built altar there Semetic name refers to “colleague”, “unite”, or “friend” ; original – “alliance”? Num. 13:22 – “built 7 years before Zoan in Egypt” Originally called Kirjath-arba [Gen 23:2] “City of four” – ruled by 3 sons of Anak - giants

4. Home of the Patriarchs Abraham & Sarah lived there Sarah died there; buried in Machpelah First land purchased by Abraham [Gen 23] Isaac grew up and lived there Jacob and Esau returned there to bury their father [Gen 35:27-29] Jacob sent Joseph “out of the vale” [Gen 37:14]

5. Hebron - Conquest Considered an Amorite city in Joshua 10:3-5 Conquered by Joshua [Josh 10:36-37] Given to Caleb [Joshua 14:12-15] Was listed among Levitical cities and the six cities of refuge [Joshua 20:7; 21:11] Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, Golan King David used Hebron as his royal residence [2 Sam 5:5]

6. Final Mentions Jg 16:3 – Samson carried city gates from Gaza to the hills of Hebron! Israeli elders anointed David as King of Israel David had Ishbosheth’s assassins hung over the pool in Hebron [2 Sam 4:12] Absalom rebelled and declared himself king Soldiers gathered to fight for David [1 Chron 13:23ff] Rehoboam fortified the city [2 Chron 11:10]

8. Modern-day Hebron

9. Cave of Machpelah

10. Palestinian – Israeli tensions