1Abram went up out of Egypt—he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him—into the South. 2Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3He went on his journeys from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on Yahweh’s name. 5Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents. 6The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together; for their possessions were so great that they couldn’t live together. 7There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land at that time. 8Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives. 9Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”
10Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. 11So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one other. 12Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Yahweh.
14Yahweh said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever. 16I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be counted. 17Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.”
18Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.
Machpelah, Location of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish People
The biblical site of Machpelah, also known as the Cave of Machpelah, is a significant location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). It is traditionally associated with the burial place of several prominent figures from the Bible, particularly the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Israelite people. Here is some information about the biblical site of Machpelah:
Location: Machpelah is in the West Bank, in the city of Hebron, in modern-day Israel. It is situated in the southern part of the city.
Biblical Significance: The Cave of Machpelah is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, particularly in Genesis 23 and Genesis 49. According to the biblical account, it is the burial site purchased by the patriarch Abraham to bury his wife, Sarah. Later, Abraham and several other biblical figures, including Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah, were also buried there. The cave is traditionally seen as the family tomb of these prominent ancestors.
Abraham's Purchase: In Genesis 23, Abraham, mourning the death of his wife Sarah, negotiates with the Hittites to purchase the cave and the field of Machpelah as a burial site. He pays a significant price for the land, making it a legally recognized possession. This transaction is considered one of the earliest land acquisitions in the Bible.
Religious Significance: Machpelah is considered a sacred site by both Jews and Muslims. It is one of the holiest places in Judaism and is associated with the patriarchs and matriarchs. In Islam, it is known as the Sanctuary of Abraham and is also a significant religious site.
Architectural Features: Over the centuries, various structures have been built over the Cave of Machpelah. The current structure, known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs, is a massive rectangular building with sections designated for Jewish and Muslim prayer. The structure reflects architectural influences from different periods, including Herodian, Byzantine, and Islamic.
Access Restrictions: Access to the Tomb of the Patriarchs is controlled and divided between Jewish and Muslim authorities. It is considered a holy site and place of worship for both religious communities.
Machpelah holds a central place in biblical history and religious traditions. It is significant as the burial place of the patriarchs and matriarchs and as a symbol of the deep historical and spiritual connections between these figures and the land of Canaan (later known as Israel). The site continues to be a place of religious pilgrimage and devotion for Jews and Muslims alike.