The Burial Site of Abraham’s Family: The Cave of Machpelah in Hebron

Hebron is one of the largest cities of biblical times and is currently considered one of Judaism’s four holy cities. Located in the West Bank, it is a holy city for both Jews and Muslims, and was the first capital of the Davidic kingdom. The place name Machpelah originally means “double” or “sheepfold” and is situated east of Hebron in the land of Canaan. In Genesis, Abraham bought this land and its cave from Ephron the Hittite for four hundred shekels of silver (one shekel was equivalent to a large Greek silver coin, roughly valued at $880 today) and buried Sarah there (Genesis 23:8-9, 15, 18-20). Later, Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah were all buried there. The only absent Jewish patriarch/matriarch is Rachel, who died during childbirth near Bethlehem and was thus buried there.

The structure above the Cave of Machpelah is 2,000 years old, built by King Herod during the Second Temple period. The Machpelah cave itself was later discovered to be located beneath this building. Twelve hundred years after the Second Temple period, Muslims conquered the land, modified the building, added minarets, and it is now regarded as one of their holy sites. The building is divided into a synagogue and the Ibrahimi Mosque. Christians are free to enter all areas; Jews have restricted access to some areas but are allowed into other sections 10 days a year; and Muslims similarly have 10 days a year to enter the synagogue area.

 Jews have continuously lived in Hebron. They were expelled from the city in 1929 but regained sovereignty and returned in 1967 during the Six-Day War. Currently, about 800 Jews reside there, surrounded by approximately 200,000 Arabs.