Hebron
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
—(1) (Num. 13:22; Josh. 14:15) one of the most ancient cities of the hill country of Judah, earlier called Kiriath-arba. It lies about twenty miles south of Jerusalem and is now called al-Khalil, “the Friend,” from Abraham’s traditional title as the friend of God. Abraham lived near Mamre and purchased the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite as a burial place for Sarah; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, and Leah were also buried there according to Genesis (Gen. 13:18; 23:1–20; 25:9; 35:27–29; 49:29–32; 50:13).