A Biblical Historical Journal

Hebron, the City of Abraham

By Sangin Han
Professor of Old Testament History, Hansei University

The history of the Israelites begins with the account of Abraham's life. Abraham is the biological forefather both of the Israelites and the Arabs and he is also the spiritual forefather of Christians and people who believe in Judaism. Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans to settle down in Haran then moved to Hebron. Hebron became a second home for Abraham for that was the place where he had his spiritual turning point. Hebron, where many Palestinians currently reside is not accessible to foreigners due to the current political situation. This past July, the writer attempted to visit Hebron in hopes that he could retrace all the historical sights that depict how the patriarchs had lived. Due to the social unrest of the country the driver refused to go into the city in order to preserve his safety and welfare.

History states that Hebron, the Canaanite city, was built seven years before Zoan, the ancient Egyptian city, (Numbers 13:22) and called Mamurae or Kiriath Arba. After Abraham had parted from Lot, he lived in Hebron and had no ownership of any land until he bought the cave of Machpelah to bury his wife Sarah, and later he and Isaac were buried as well. In Numbers 13: 22-23, it describes that the land of Hebron as very rich and exceedingly good to produce crops fruitfully as it says, "The twelve Israelite men were sent to explore the land of Canaan and when they reached the Valley of Eshcol in Hebron they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes and carried it on a pole." Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites were attacked and conquered by Hoham, the King of Hebron, who was allied with four other kings who made the City of Hebron a refuge (Joshua 20:7).

King David made Hebron the capital of the tribes of Judah and ruled over the city for seven and a half years after Saul died. Furthermore, Hebron is the city where Absalom, one of David's sons, made a rebellious coup against his father and King Rehoboam used it as a fortress (2 Chronicles. 11: 5-12). After the Kingdom of Judah was conquered, the Idumain occupied the northern part of Hebron and some of the people of Judah lived there after they returned from the exile (Nehemiah 11: 25). Under the Hasmonean throne the Israelites conquered the Idumain and put Hebron under Judaic influence.

King Herod constructed a 12 meter tall building around the cave of Machpelah, which is now called 'The House of God's Friend', Haram el-Khalil. Some churches that were built around Haram el-Khalil during the Byzantine Empire still remain today. The Arabs did not destroy the historical and religious places that carry the patriarchs' lives when they occupied the land and it is, presumably, because they realized that some patriarchs, notably Abraham, were also their biological and spiritual forefathers. Looking back upon the day when Abraham lived with Isaac and Ishmael, may we all wish that someday the Israelites and the Arabs can come together as one offspring of Abraham and that Judaism and Christianity can be united in one faith in God. Then there will be no hatred and no more conflicts.