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Hebron....
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The name "Hebron","Hevron" (or Chevron-pronounced with a hard "ch") is derived from the Hebrew word "chaver," or "friend." In
Arabic, Hebron is called "Al Khalil," which also means "friend." Both Arabic and Hebrew are shortened forms of the phrase, "Friend of God," meaning
Abraham.
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Hebron, located 32 km. (20 miles) south of
Jerusalem in the
Judean hills, is the site of the oldest Jewish community in the world, which dates back to
Biblical times. The Book of Genesis relates that
Abraham purchased the field where the Tomb of the Patriarchs is located as a burial place for his wife Sarah. According to Jewish tradition, the Patriarchs
Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, and the Matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah are buried in the Tomb. |
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Hebron is mentioned 87 times in the
Bible, and is the world's oldest Jewish community.
Joshua assigned Hebron to Caleb from the tribe of
Judah (Joshua 14:13-14), who subsequently led his tribe in conquering the city and its environs (Judges 1:1-20). |
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Hebron was founded (Numbers 13:22) around 1720 BCE. The ancient city of Hebron was situated at Tel Rumeida. The city's history has been inseparably linked with the Cave of Machpelah, which the Patriarch
Abraham purchased from Ephron the
Hittite for 400 silver shekels
(Genesis 23), as a family tomb.
According to a Jewish tradition - Adam and Eve are also buried there. |
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