Hebron

Numb. xiii. 22. Josh. xiv. 15. In the year of the World 2554, before J. C. 1446, before the Vulgar Æra 1450. Josh. xv. 13.HEBRON, or Chebron, one of the most ancient cities of the world; for it was built seven years before Tanis, the capital of Lower Egypt. Now, as the Egyptians gloried much in the antiquity of their Cities, and their Country was indeed one of the first which was peopled, after the dispersion of Babel, it may be from hence concluded, that it was one of the most ancient. Some think, that it was founded by Arba, one of the oldest Giants in Palestine; for which reason it was called Kirjath-arba, or Arba’s City; which name was afterwards changed into that of Hebron. Arba was the father of Anak; and from Anak the Giants called Anakims, took their name; who were still dwelling at Hebron, when Joshua conquered the Land of Canaan.

In the Latin translation of Joshua xiv. 15. we read, the great Adam is buried there: Adam maximus ibi inter Enacim situs est. And St. Jerom¹ in several a places declares it to have been the opinion of the Jews, that Adam was buried there. But the Hebrew may be construed in another sense, and translated,² the ancient name of Hebron was Arba. This man (Arba) is the greatest, the chief of the Anakims. We cannot well tell when it first began to be called Hebron: some think, not till it was conquered by Caleb, and that he called it Hebron from one of his sons, whose name this was. But it is my opinion, that the name of Hebron is more ancient; and that Caleb, to do honour to his son, gave him the name of this anient and celebrated place.

Euseb. in locis, ad vocem Arco. Gen. xxiii. 7, 8, 9. Gen. xviii. 1.Hebron was situated upon an eminence, twenty miles southward from Jerusalem, and twenty miles north from Beersheba. Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac were buried near Hebron, in the cave of Machpelah, or the double cave, which Abraham bought of Ephron. Near to this place was the Oak or Turpentine-tree, under which Abraham received three Angels.³ Eusebius,⁴ Sozomen, and several others of the Ancients,⁵ speak of the veneration, which not only Chri- Christians, but the very Heathens themselves had for this Turpentine-tree. It was said to have been there ever since the beginning of the World⁶; as if the matter were not sufficiently exaggerated by saying, that it had been there ever since the time of Abraham, that is to say, for above two thousand three hundred years⁷. Others said, it was the staff of one of the Angels, which had taken root in this place. Here there was a Fair settled, which was very much resorted to by all the country, and this Turpentine-tree was thought to be incorruptible; because it seemed sometimes to be all in a flame, from a fire which was made about it, and did not consume it.

Hebron was in the allotment of Judah. The Lord assigned it for the inheritance of Josh. xiv. 13.his servant Caleb. Joshua first took Hebron, and killed the King of it, whose name was Josh. x. 3, 23, 37. Judg. i. 12, 13.Hoham. But afterwards Caleb again made a conquest of it, assisted by the Troops of his Tribe, and the Valour of Othniel. It was appointed to be a dwelling for the Priests, and declared to be a City of Refuge. David, after Josh. xxi. 13.the death of Saul, settled the Seat of his Kingdom there. At Hebron, Absalom began 2 Sam. ii. 2, 3, 4, 5. 2 Sam. xv. 7, 8, &c.his rebellion. During the captivity of Babylon, the Edomites having invaded the southern part of Judah, made themselves masters of Hebron; wherefore in Josephus it is sometimes Joseph. Antiq. l. 5. c. 7.made a part of Edom. Here Zechary and Elizabeth are believed to have dwelt, and St. John Baptist to have been born. Hebron is still in being: but very much fal’n from its ancient lustre.

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