Machpelah
Where Machpelah sits on the map, and the 6 verses where it appears, in biblical order and linked to the full chapter.
- Identified with
- Cave of the Patriarchs
- Coordinates
- 31.5247, 35.1108
- Mentions
- 6 mentions
Coordinates and the modern identification come from the open atlas at OpenBible.info. For regions, peoples and large features there is no identification: the marked point only places the area on the map, and stands for neither a particular site nor its boundaries.
Can you visit it today?
A rectangular enclosure of Herodian ashlar twelve metres high — the one building of Herod’s still standing almost intact. Inside are medieval cenotaphs of the patriarchs; the caves themselves lie under the floor, sealed and never excavated. Since 1994 the interior has been divided into a synagogue side and a mosque side, with separate entrances.
- Where it is
- In the centre of Hebron, in the West Bank, below the hill of the ancient city.
What to read there
The passage that gives this site its meaning, to read while you are here.
Genesis 23, 1-20Open in the readerPassages where it appears
6 verses, in biblical order.
Genesis
- Genesis 23:9
so that he may give me the double cave, which he has at the far end of his field. He may transfer it to me for as much money as it is worth in your sight, for the possession of a sepulcher.”
- Genesis 23:17
And having confirmed that the field, in which there was a double cave overlooking Mamre, formerly belonged to Ephron, both it and the sepulcher, and all its trees, with all its surrounding limits,
- Genesis 23:19
So then, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the double cave of the field that overlooked Mamre. This is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
- Genesis 25:9
And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the double cave, which was situated in the field of Ephron, of the son of Zohar the Hittite, across from the region of Mamre,
- Genesis 49:30
opposite Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought, along with its field, from Ephron the Hittite, as a possession for burial.
- Genesis 50:13
And carrying him into the land of Canaan, they buried him in the double cave, which Abraham had bought along with its field, from Ephron the Hittite, as a possession for burial, opposite Mamre.
Routes that pass through here
Tabor itineraries with a stop at this place.
- Abraham, the Journey of FaithFrom Ur of the Chaldeans to Mount Moriah: the itinerary of the father of believers, promise by promise.
- Joseph, from the Cistern to the Rule of EgyptSold by his brothers and raised up by God: from the torn tunic to Pharaoh’s chariot, and from possible revenge to forgiveness.