Lives of Scripture
Hebron
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the region, Hebron is where Abraham settled near the oaks of Mamre and later bought the cave of Machpelah to bury Sarah — the family's eventual burial place too, for Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah (Genesis 23; 49:29-31). Caleb received Hebron as his inheritance after driving out its giant Anakim inhabitants (Joshua 14:6-15). It became David's first capital: he reigned there over Judah alone for seven and a half years before all Israel's elders came and anointed him king over the whole nation (2 Samuel 2:1-4; 5:1-5), only afterward moving the capital to Jerusalem. Absalom later launched his rebellion from Hebron under the pretext of a vow (2 Samuel 15:7-10).
References: Genesis 13:18; Genesis 23; Numbers 13:22; 2 Samuel 2:1-4; 2 Samuel 5:1-5
People connected to Hebron
- Abigail (F) — became David's wife and came with him when he was made king here
1 Samuel 25:42; 2 Samuel 2:1-3
- Abner (M) — defected to David here, and was murdered by Joab at the city gate
2 Samuel 3:20-27
- Ahiman (M) — one of the giant sons of Anak dwelling in this city
Numbers 13:22
- Ahinoam (F) — a wife of David, who came with him when he was crowned here
2 Samuel 2:2-3
- Aner (M) — an Amorite ally of Abram near this city
Genesis 14:13; Genesis 14:24
- Caleb (M) — given this city as his inheritance, and drove out its giants at eighty-five
Joshua 14:12-14
- David (M) — anointed king of Judah here and reigned seven years before taking Jerusalem
2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 2:11
- Ephron (M) — the Hittite of this city who sold Abraham the cave of Machpelah
Genesis 23:8-18
- Eshcol (M) — an Amorite ally of Abram near this city
Genesis 14:13; Genesis 14:24
- Hoham (M) — king of this city, executed by Joshua at Makkedah
Joshua 10:3; Joshua 10:23-26
- Mamre (M) — the Amorite by whose oaks near this city Abram lived
Genesis 13:18; Genesis 14:13
- Othniel (M) — Caleb's nephew, who took nearby Kiriath-sepher to win Achsah in marriage
Joshua 15:16-17
- Rebekah (F) — buried in the cave of Machpelah near this city
Genesis 49:31
- Sheshai (M) — one of the giant sons of Anak dwelling in this city
Numbers 13:22
Also named in Scripture at Hebron: Eliezer of Damascus (M), Jehoiada (M).