Mamre's Location in the Context of Abraham's Encounter
Mamre is a significant geographical location in the biblical narrative of Abraham, primarily identified as an area near Hebron where Abraham resided and encountered the Lord [1, 2, 5]. The name "Mamre" itself is associated with an Amorite chief who was an ally of Abraham [1, 2, 6].
The biblical text frequently refers to "the oaks of Mamre" or "the plain of Mamre," indicating a prominent grove of trees in the area [1, 3, 5]. The Revised Version of the Bible, for instance, more accurately translates the Hebrew as "the oaks [marg., terebinths'] of Mamre" rather than "the plain of Mamre" [1]. This suggests a shaded, pleasant dwelling place, which Abraham might have chosen for its natural features [9, 11]. Some traditions suggest that such groves, while initially chosen for practical reasons, later became associated with superstitious practices among pagans like the Druids [11].
Mamre's location is consistently linked with Hebron. Genesis 13:18 states that Abram "came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron" [5]. Similarly, Genesis 35:27 mentions Jacob coming to Isaac his father "at Mamre, the city of Arba (which is Hebron)" [4]. The Jewish scholar Abraham Ibn Ezra explicitly notes that "the terebinths of Mamre are located in Hebron" [7]. Hebron itself was an ancient city, originally known as Kiriath-arba, situated in forested highlands north of the Negev [12].
Several key events in Abraham's life are situated at Mamre:
- Dwelling Place: After separating from Lot, Abram moved his tent and settled by the oaks of Mamre, building an altar there to Yahweh [5, 11]. This became a significant base for him, serving as his residence between his time at Bethel and Beersheba [2].
- Alliance with Amorites: Mamre, the Amorite, along with his brothers Eshcol and Aner, were confederates with Abram, as recorded when they informed him of Lot's capture [6]. This alliance highlights Abraham's integration into the local power structures of the land.
- Divine Encounter: One of the most notable events at Mamre is the Lord's appearance to Abraham "by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent" [3]. This encounter involved three men, one of whom was identified as the Lord, and included the promise of a son, Isaac, to Abraham and Sarah [3, 14]. John Gill suggests this appearance might have occurred shortly after Abraham's obedience in circumcision, signifying divine approval [9].
- Intercession for Sodom: From Mamre, Abraham observed the destruction of Sodom. The text states that "Abraham gat up early in the morning" and looked toward Sodom, a view that would have been possible from the heights overlooking Hebron [10]. This demonstrates Mamre's geographical proximity to the region of the Dead Sea, allowing Abraham to witness the event [10].
- Burial Place: The field and cave of Machpelah, where Sarah was buried and later Abraham himself, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah, is described as being "before Mamre" [1, 8, 12]. This indicates that Mamre was in the immediate vicinity of this crucial family burial site [1, 8].
The identification of Mamre as a specific location has been subject to historical and archaeological inquiry. Easton's Bible Dictionary identifies the site of Mamre with Ballatet Sel [1]. The ancient text The Testament of Abraham portrays Abraham as exceedingly hospitable, pitching his tent "in the cross-ways at the oak of Mamre" and receiving all manner of people [13]. This tradition emphasizes Mamre as a place of welcome and righteous living for Abraham [13].
The significance of Mamre extends beyond its geographical coordinates. It represents a place of divine revelation, covenant promises, and familial continuity for the patriarchs. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all settled there at various times [12]. The repeated mention of Mamre in connection with key life events underscores its importance as a spiritual and physical center for Abraham and his descendants in the land of Canaan.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mamre — Manliness. (1.) An Amoritish chief in alliance with Abraham (Gen. 14:13, 24). (2.) The name of the place in the neighbourhood of Hebron (q.v.) where Abraham dwelt (Gen. 23:17, 19; 35:27); called also in Authorized Version (13:18) the "plain of Mamre," but in Revised Version more correctly "the oaks [marg., terebinths'] of Mamre." The name probably denotes the "oak grove" or the "wood of Mamre," thus designated after Abraham's ally. This "grove" must have been within sight of or "facing" Machpelah (q.v.). The site of Mamre has been identified with Ballatet Sel”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mamre — (strength, fatness) an ancient Amorite, who with his brothers, Eshcol and Aner, was in alliance with Abram, (Genesis 14:13,51) and under the shade of whose oak grove the patriarch dwelt in the interval between his residence at Bethel and at Beersheba. ch. (Genesis 13:18; 18:1) In the subsequent chapters Mamre is a mere local appellation. ch, (Genesis 23:17,19; 25:9; 49:30; 50:13)”
- Genesis “Genesis 18:1 (BSB) — Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.”
- Genesis “Genesis 35:27 (YLT) — And Jacob cometh unto Isaac his father, at Mamre, the city of Arba (which <FI>is<Fi> Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac have sojourned.”
- Genesis “Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh. -- Genesis 13:18”
- Genesis “Genesis 14:13 (Geneva1599) — Then came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Ebrew, which dwelt in the plaine of Mamre ye Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner, which were confederat with Abram.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 13:18: In this chapter Scripture informs us that the terebinths of Mamre are located in Hebron.”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 23:17: And after this,.... After this affair was over, the bargain struck, the money paid, and possession secured: Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre; and here he himself was buried, and also Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah, Gen 25:9. Benjamin of Tudela (h) says, in his time (who lived in the latter end of the twelfth century), in the field of Machpelah was a city or town, and in it a large temple called Saint Abraham, where were shown the sepulchres of the six persons before mentioned, and inscriptions over each of ”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 18:1: And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre,.... That is, to Abraham; and very likely this appearance of God was quickly after the affair of the circumcision, to show his approbation of his ready obedience to his command; and at this time he was in the plains, or at the oaks of Mamre, the oaken grove there, as has been observed on Gen 13:18; and which seems to be the best rendering of the words, since in Gen 18:4; mention is made of a tree to sit and stand under; and Abraham might choose this place for his habitation, because of the shadiness of it, in thos”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 19:27: Abraham gat up early in the morning, &c.--Abraham was at this time in Mamre, near Hebron, and a traveller last year verified the truth of this passage. "From the height which overlooks Hebron, where the patriarch stood, the observer at the present day has an extensive view spread out before him towards the Dead Sea. A cloud of smoke rising from the plain would be visible to a person at Hebron now, and could have been, therefore, to Abraham as he looked toward Sodom on the morning of its destruction by God" [HACKETT]. It must have been an awful sight,”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 13:18: Then Abram removed his tent,.... From the mountain between Bethel and Hai, Gen 13:3, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, or "in the oaks of Mamre" (e); in a grove of oaks there, as being shady and pleasant to dwell among or under, and not through any superstitious regard to such trees and places where they grew; which has obtained since among the Heathens, and particularly among the Druids, who have their name from thence. Indeed such superstitions might take their rise from hence, being improved and abused to such purposes; and both Jerom (f) and Sozomen (g”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 13:18: 13:18 Hebron was an Anakite city (Num 13:22) originally called Kiriath-arba (“city of Arba”), located in forested highlands just north of the Negev (Gen 12:9; Josh 17:15). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all settled there (Gen 18:1; 35:27; 37:14), and Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah were buried there (23:19; 35:27-29; 49:29-32; 50:13). • Mamre was an Amorite (14:13; 15:16).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — THE TESTAMENT OF ABRAHAM (part 1): I. Abraham lived the measure of his life, nine hundred and ninety-five years, and having lived all the years of his life in quietness, gentleness, and righteousness, the righteous one was exceeding hospitable; for, pitching his tent in the cross-ways at the oak of Mamre, he received every one, both rich and poor, kings and rulers, the maimed and the helpless, friends and strangers, neighbours and travellers, all alike did the devout, all-holy, righteous, and hospitable Abraham entertain. Even up”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 22.5: the former of these interpretations; namely, that God confirmed the mind of his servant with a new vision; just as the faith of the saints requires, at intervals, renewed assistance. It is also possible that the promise was repeated for the sake of Sarah. What shall we say, if in this manner, he chose to do honor to the greatness of his grace? For the promise concerning Isaac, from whom, at length, redemption and salvation should shine forth to the world, cannot be extolled in terms adequate to its dignity. Whichever of these view”