Machpelah
LocationsGeographical Setting
Machpelah is a cave complex in Hebron traditionally identified as the burial place of the biblical patriarchs and matriarchs.
âš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Machpelah is a cave complex in Hebron that served as a patriarchal burial site. It was acquired by Abraham from Ephron the Hittite to establish a permanent family cemetery.
What is the meaning of Machpelah in the Bible?
Machpelah is a cave complex in Hebron that served as a patriarchal burial site. It was acquired by Abraham from Ephron the Hittite to establish a permanent family cemetery.
SIGNIFICANCE
The narrative of the purchase establishes the first legally documented land ownership by the Hebrew ancestors in Canaan, providing a tangible basis for their historical connection to the region.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Machpelah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Machpelah clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.