Judean hill country · Today: Hebron, West Bank
Hebron in the Bible
Hebron is where Abraham settles by the oaks of Mamre and buys the cave of Machpelah as a burial place. Centuries later it is David's first capital, where he reigns over Judah for seven years before taking Jerusalem.
Archaeology
The Haram el-Khalil enclosure over the traditional cave of Machpelah is Herodian masonry, closely comparable to the Temple Mount walls in Jerusalem.
Verses mentioning Hebron
73 occurrences across 68 verses in the King James Version.
- Judges 1:20
And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
Read in context - Judges 16:3
And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of an hill that is before Hebron. bar: Heb. with the bar
Read in context - 1 Samuel 30:31
And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 2:1
And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 2:3
And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 2:11
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. time: Heb. number of days
Read in context - 2 Samuel 2:32
And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 3:2
And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
Read in context - 2 Samuel 3:5
And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 3:19
And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 3:20
So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 3:22
And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. quietly: or, peaceably
Read in context - 2 Samuel 3:32
And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 4:1
And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 4:8
And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 4:12
And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 5:1
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 5:3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 5:5
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 5:13
And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 15:7
And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 15:9
And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
Read in context - 2 Samuel 15:10
But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
Read in context - 1 Kings 2:11
And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.
Read in context