Original Word: חֶבְרוֹן
Part of Speech: proper name, of a location; proper name, masculine
Transliteration: Chebrown
Pronunciation: khev-ROHN
Phonetic Spelling: (kheb-rone')
KJV: Hebron
Word Origin: [from H2267 (חֶבֶר - spells)]

1. seat of association
2. Chebron, a place in Israel, also the name of two Israelites

Hebron

From cheber; seat of association; Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites -- Hebron.

see HEBREW cheber

I. חֶבְרוֺן proper name, of a location Hebron (association, league) — ׳ח Genesis 13:18 +; with ה locative חֶבְרוֺנָה Joshua 10:36 6t.; חֶבְרֹ֫נָה 2 Samuel 2:1; — ᵐ5 Ξεβρων; modern El-–alîl (see Rob^{BR i. 213 f.}, ii. 73 ff. Guérin^{Judéeiii. 214 ff}); ancient city in southern Judah, where (or near which) Abraham built an altar Genesis 13:18 (J), and where was a sanctuary in David's time 2 Samuel 15:7, compare ׳בְּח ׳לפני י 2 Samuel 5:3 = 1 Chronicles 11:3; built 7 years. before ‚oan in Egypt according to Numbers 13:22b (JE); under a king Joshua 10:3,5,23 (JE) Joshua 12:10 (D); assigned to Caleb Joshua 14:13,14 (J E D) Judges 1:20 yet see 1 Chronicles 6:40 (compare v.1 Chronicles 6:41); older name קִרְיַת ( הָ)אַרְבַּע according to Joshua 14:15 (J E D), compare Genesis 23:2; Genesis 35:27; Joshua 15:54; Joshua 20:7 (all P) Judges 1:10b; see also Joshua 15:13; Joshua 21:11 (both P); called also מַמְרֵא Genesis 23:19 (and Genesis 35:27, both P); a city of refuge Joshua 21:13 (P) = 1 Chronicles 6:42; ׳עֵמֶק ח Genesis 37:14 (J); named elsewhere Numbers 13:22a (JE) Joshua 10:36,39; Joshua 11:21 (all D) Judges 1:10a Judges 16:3; 2 Samuel 2:32; 2 Samuel 15:9; 2Chronicles 11:10; a resort of David, and for 7 years. his royal city 1 Samuel 30:31; 2 Samuel 2:1,11; 2 Samuel 3:2,5,19,20,22,27,32; 2 Samuel 4:1,8,12 (twice in verse); 2 Samuel 5:1; 2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Samuel 5:13; 1 Kings 2:11; 1 Chronicles 3:1,4; 1 Chronicles 11:1,3; 1 Chronicles 12:24; 1 Chronicles 12:39 (van d. H. v.1 Chronicles 12:23; v.1 Chronicles 12:38) 1 Chronicles 29:27; read also perhaps for תחתו 2 Samuel 3:12, ᵐ5^L εἰς Ξεβρων, compare Dr; seat of Absalom's rebellion 2 Samuel 15:10; ׳עָרֵי ח 2 Samuel 2:3 abode of David's men.

II. חֶבְרוֺן proper name, masculine (ᵐ5 Ξεβρων).

1 grandson of Levi Exodus 6:18; Numbers 3:19 (both P) = 1 Chronicles 5:28 = 1 Chronicles 6:3; 1 Chronicles 23:12,19, compare 1 Chronicles 15:9.

2 name in Caleb's family 1 Chronicles 2:42,43.

Geographical Setting

Hebron lies about 30 kilometers south‐southwest of Jerusalem in the Judean hill country at roughly 930 meters elevation. Anciently called Kiriath Arba (Genesis 23:2), it commands fertile valleys, abundant water sources, and major north–south trade routes. Its central location made the city a strategic and spiritual landmark from patriarchal days through the monarchic period.

Patriarchal Associations

Hebron first appears in connection with Abram: “Abram moved his tent and settled near the Oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and he built an altar to the LORD there” (Genesis 13:18). There Abram received covenant affirmation (Genesis 15) and interceded for Sodom (Genesis 18), underscoring Hebron as a place of revelation and communion with God.

Sarah died in Hebron, and Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah as a family grave (Genesis 23). The narrative highlights both the patriarch’s faith in future inheritance and the legal acquisition of land within Canaan. The tomb subsequently became the burial site for Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah (Genesis 49:29-31; 50:13), forever linking Hebron to Israel’s ancestral hope.

Conquest and Settlement

Moses sent Caleb, Joshua, and ten others to spy out Canaan; they visited Hebron, where the Anakim resided (Numbers 13:22). Despite formidable foes, Caleb believed God’s promise. After Joshua’s conquest, Hebron was allotted to Caleb: “Therefore Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly” (Joshua 14:14). The transfer demonstrates the reward of faith and the displacement of giants by covenant heirs.

Levitical City of Refuge

After Caleb granted its suburbs to the Levites, Hebron became both a Levitical city and one of the six cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7; 21:11-13). There the manslayer found asylum until due process. The arrangement testifies to Israel’s divinely ordered justice, mercy, and priestly ministry centered at a site already hallowed by patriarchal graves.

Davidic Significance

Hebron served as David’s first royal seat: “The men of Judah came and there anointed David king over the house of Judah” (2 Samuel 2:4). For seven and a half years David ruled from Hebron before uniting the tribes and moving the capital to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:1-5). Several of David’s sons—including Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah—were born in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:2-5), linking the city to messianic lineage. Absalom later launched his rebellion from Hebron (2 Samuel 15:7-10), showing the city’s enduring political leverage.

Prophetic Resonances

Nehemiah’s rebuilding lists note Hebron’s inhabitants aiding postexilic restoration (Nehemiah 11:25). The chronicler likewise recounts Hebron in genealogies and census records (1 Chronicles 2; 6; 12). These mentions secure Hebron within the covenant account stretching from Genesis to the Second Temple era, indicating God’s steadfast dealings with His people.

New Testament Connections and Typology

Though Hebron is not named in the New Testament, its motifs foreshadow Gospel truths:
• The patriarchal tombs prefigure Christ’s own burial and resurrection, securing the promise of land and life eternal (Hebrews 11:8-16).
• The city of refuge typifies Christ our sanctuary, offering protection from the avenger of blood (Hebrews 6:18).
• David’s anointing at Hebron previews the Messiah’s kingship established first among a faithful remnant before universal acknowledgment (Acts 2:34-36).

Archaeological and Historical Insights

Tell Rumeida and the Cave of the Patriarchs (el-Khalil) preserve continuous occupation layers from Early Bronze through Roman periods. Massive Cyclopean walls correspond to “Kiriath Arba” traditions, and Middle Bronze shaft tombs corroborate patriarchal‐era habitation. Byzantine Christians revered the tomb complex, reinforcing uninterrupted memory of Genesis events.

Theological Themes and Ministry Application

1. Covenant Faithfulness: Hebron reminds believers that God’s promises span generations; the land purchased, inherited, and governed attests to His unbroken word.
2. Intercession and Worship: Abram’s altar at Hebron models prayer that influences history (Genesis 18:22-33).
3. Spiritual Courage: Caleb’s conquest challenges Christians to trust God amid giants.
4. Mediated Justice: The city of refuge foreshadows Christ’s atonement, urging the church to proclaim forgiveness and refuge in Him.
5. Servant Leadership: David’s humble reign in Hebron encourages leaders to shepherd locally before national or global influence.

By tracing Hebron from Abraham to David and beyond, Scripture weaves a tapestry of divine faithfulness, redemption, and hope centered in geography yet extending to eternity.

בְּחֶבְר֑וֹן בְּחֶבְר֔וֹן בְּחֶבְר֖וֹן בְּחֶבְר֤וֹן בְּחֶבְרֽוֹן׃ בְּחֶבְרוֹן֙ בְחֶבְר֔וֹן בחברון בחברון׃ וְחֶבְר֖וֹן וְחֶבְר֗וֹן וחברון חֶ֠בְרוֹן חֶבְר֑וֹן חֶבְר֑וֹנָה חֶבְר֔וֹן חֶבְר֔וֹנָה חֶבְר֖וֹן חֶבְר֛וֹן חֶבְר֣וֹנָה חֶבְר֤וֹן חֶבְר֥וֹן חֶבְרֹֽנָה׃ חֶבְרֽוֹן׃ חֶבְרֽוֹנָה׃ חֶבְרוֹן֒ חֶבְרוֹן֙ חברון חברון׃ חברונה חברונה׃ חברנה׃ לְחֶבְר֗וֹן לחברון מֵחֶבְר֑וֹן מחברון bə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn ḇə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn bechevRon bəḥeḇrōwn ḇəḥeḇrōwn chevRon chevRonah ḥeḇ·rō·nāh ḥeḇ·rō·w·nāh ḥeḇ·rō·wn ḥeḇrōnāh ḥeḇrōwn ḥeḇrōwnāh lə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn lechevRon ləḥeḇrōwn mê·ḥeḇ·rō·wn mechevRon mêḥeḇrōwn vechevRon wə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn wəḥeḇrōwnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts