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Hebron is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the
world. Its Arabic name,
Khalil al-Rahman, means
'The Friend of God'. Hebron is closely identified with Abraham
and is regarded as holy
by Christians, Muslims, and Jews. According to tradition, Abraham
pitched his tent in
Hebron's plain of Mamre.
History shows the
Canaanites were living in Hebron as early as 2000 B.C.E (Before
Common Era). It is
believed that Adam and Eve lived in Hebron after they wre expelled
from
the Garden of Eden.
When his wife Sarah
died, Abraham bought the cave of Machpela from Ephron the Hittite
and buried her there.
Located in the center of Hebron, the Tomb of the Patriarchs became
the tomb of the
patriarchs and their wives. Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Leah,
and
Jacob, were all buried
there.
Hebron lies in a mountainous region south of Jerusalem at an
altitude of 1000 meters
above sea level. Among
its interesting features are the narrow and winding streets, the
flat-roofed stone
houses, and the old bazaars. It is famous for its blown glass,
ceramic,
leather, and cotton
products as well as its variety of choice grapes.
Hebron is well know for
its lush grapes, pottery, leatherworks, vineyards and for glassware.
At 3 kilometres north of
the town center is the Beit Ilanim site, where an angel told Abraham
and Sarah that she would
bear a son, Isaac.
Masqobiya the site
where a huge oak tree stands, indicating the place where Abraham
invited the angels to
rest and eat.
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