Bible Dictionary: Mamre

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Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Mamre

rebellious; bitter; set with trees

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)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Mamre

An Amorite prince, brother of Eshcol and Aner. All three united their forces to aid Abraham in the rescue of Lot, Genesis 14:1-24. He gave his name to the town where he dwelt, afterwards Hebron, in the suburbs of which was a large terebinth-tree, or grove, (see OAK,) called in the English Bible "the plain of Mamre." Here Abraham and his descendants often pitched their tents, Genesis 13:18 18:1. The cave of Machpelah was adjacent to Mamre on the east, Genesis 23:17,19 49:30; and from the heights nearby, Abraham could see the smoking plain of Sodom, Genesis 19:27,28.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Manliness.

(1.) An Amoritish chief in alliance with Abraham (Genesis 14:13, 24).

(2.) The name of the place in the neighbourhood of Hebron (q.v.) where Abraham dwelt (Genesis 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 Selta, i.e., "the oak of rest", where there is a tree called "Abraham's oak," about a mile and a half west of Hebron. Others identify it with er-Rameh, 2 miles north of Hebron.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

MAMRE

mam'-re (mamre'; Septuagint Mambre):

(1) In Genesis 14:24 Mamre is mentioned as the name of one of Abraham's allies, who in 14:13 is described as the Amorite, brother of Eschcol and Aner.

1. Biblical Data:

The name of the grove of trees is evidently considered as derived from this sheikh or chieftain. The "oaks" ("terebinths") of Mamre where Abram pitched his tent (Genesis 14:13; Genesis 18:1) are described (Genesis 13:18) as "in Hebron." Later on MACHPELAH (which see) is described as "before," i.e. "to the East of Mamre" (Genesis 23:17; Genesis 25:9; Genesis 49:30; Genesis 50:13), and Mamre is identified with Hebron itself (Genesis 23:19).

2. Traditional Sites:

While Mamre has always been looked for in the vicinity of Hebron, the traditions have varied greatly, determined apparently by the presence of a suitable tree. The one site which has a claim on grounds other than tradition is that called Khirbet and `Ain Nimreh (literally, the "ruin" and "spring" of "the leopard"), about 1/2 mile North-Northwest of modern Hebron. The word Nimreh may be a survival of the ancient Mamre, the name, as often happens, being assimilated by a familiar word. The site is a possible one, but, beyond this, the name has not much to commend it.

Tradition has centered round three different sites at various periods:

(1) The modern tradition points to a magnificent oak (Quercus ilex, Arabic Sindian), 1 1/2 miles West-Northwest of the modern city, as the terebinth of Abraham; its trunk has a girth of 32 ft. It is now in a dying condition, but when Robinson visited it (BR, II, 72, 81) it was in fine condition; he mentions a Mohammedan tradition that this was "Abraham's oak." Since then the site had been bought by the Russians, a hospice and church have been erected, and the tradition, though of no antiquity, has become crystallized.

(2) The second tradition, which flourished from the 16th century down to the commencement of the 19th century, pointed to the hill of Deir el Arba`in (see HEBRON) as that of Mamre, relying especially, no doubt, in its inception on the identity of Mamre and Hebron (Genesis 23:19). A magnificent terebinth which stood there was pointed out as that of Abraham. The site agrees well with the statement that the cave of Machpelah was "before," i.e. to the East of Mamre (Genesis 23:17, etc.).

(3) The third and much older tradition, mentioned in several Christian writers, refers to a great terebinth which once stood in an enclosure some 2 miles North of Hebron, near the road to Jerusalem. It is practically certain that the site of this enclosure is the strange Ramet el-Khalil. This is an enclosure some 214 ft. long and 162 ft. wide. The enclosing walls are made of extremely fine and massive masonry and are 6 ft. thick; the stones are very well laid and the jointing is very fine, but the building was evidently never completed. In one corner is a well-Bir el-Khalil-lined with beautiful ashlar masonry, cut to the curve of the circumference.

It is probable that this enclosure surrounded a magnificent terebinth; if so, it was at this spot that before the days of Constantine a great annual fair was held, attended by Jews, Christians and heathen who united a pay honor to the sacred tree, while the well was on the same occasion illuminated, and offerings were made to it. Similar customs survive today at several shrines in Palestine. Constantine suppressed these "superstitions," and built a church in the neighborhood, probably the so-called "Abraham's house," Beit Ibrahim of today. The tree which stood here is apparently that mentioned by Josephus (BJ, IV, ix, 7) as having continued "since the creation of the world." At this enclosure, too, Jewish women and children were sold at auction after the suppression of the revolt of Bar Cochba. Whatever the origin of the veneration paid to this terebinth-now long centuries dead and gone-early Christian tradition associated it with Abraham and located Mamre here. This tradition is mentioned by Jerome (4th century), by Eucherius (6th century), by Areulphus (700 A.D.) and by Benjamin of Tudela (1163 A.D.). Among the modern Jews it is looked upon as the site of "Abraham's oak." It is probable that the view that Abraham was connected with this tree is one attached to it much later than its original sanctity; it was originally one of the many "holy trees" of the land venerated by primitive Semitic religions feeling, and the nearness of Hebron caused the Bible story to be attached to it. Judging from the Bible data, it appears to be too far from Hebron and Machpelah to suit the conditions; the site of Mamre must have been nearer to Deir el Arba`in, but it has probably been entirely lost since very early times.

For a very good discussion about Mamre see Mambre by Le R. P. Abel des Freres Precheurs in the Conferences de Saint Etienne, 1909-10 (Paris).

(2) An Amorite chief, owner of the "oaks" mentioned above (Genesis 14:13, 14).

E. W. G. Masterman

Strong's Hebrew

4471. Mamre -- a place in Palestine, also an ally of Abraham
... 4470, 4471. Mamre. 4472 . a place in Palestine, also an ally of Abraham.
Transliteration: Mamre Phonetic Spelling: (mam-ray') Short Definition: Mamre. ...
/hebrew/4471.htm - 6k

Library

What Constantine the Great Effected About the Oak in Mamre; He ...
... Book II. Chapter IV."What Constantine the Great effected about the Oak
in Mamre; he also built a Temple. I consider it necessary ...
/.../chapter iv what constantine the great.htm

Of the Three Men or Angels, in whom the Lord is Related to have ...
... Book XVI. Chapter 29."Of the Three Men or Angels, in Whom the Lord is
Related to Have Appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 29 of the three men.htm

God who Appeared to Moses is Distinguished from God the Father.
... "Moses, then, the blessed and faithful servant of God, declares that He who appeared
to Abraham under the oak in Mamre is God, sent with the two angels in His ...
/.../chapter lvi god who appeared to.htm

Chapter xviii
... CHAPTER XVIII. 8. The Manifestation of Yahweh at Mamre (18:1-33) The time of the
birth of the promised son has drawn very near and may definitely be revealed. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xviii.htm

Chapter xxiii
... So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah over against Mamre, the field and
the cave which was in it and all the trees that were in the field within the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiii.htm

The Story of the Tower of Babel
... Then Abraham moved his tent and lived in the oak grove of Mamre, which
is in Hebron, and built there an altar to Jehovah. Jehovah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of the tower.htm

The Word that Scatters Fear
... They had been years of growing power. He has been dwelling at Mamre, as a prince
among the people of the land, a power. ... Abram is back at Mamre. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the word that scatters fear.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... him. And Abram took toward the west, which was beside the people of Canaan
at the foot of mount Mamre. And Lot dwelled in Sodom. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Version ii.
... Sarah answered and said, Because I say and declare that this is one of the three
men who were entertained by us at the oak of Mamre, when one of the servants ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the testament of abraham/version ii.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... So they parted, and Lot went to the low plains of the Jordan, but Abram went to
the high plains of Mamre, in Hebron, and there he built another altar to the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

Thesaurus

Mamre (10 Occurrences)
... in the neighbourhood of Hebron (qv) where Abraham dwelt (Genesis 23:17, 19; 35:27);
called also in Authorized Version (13:18) the "plain of Mamre," but in ...
/m/mamre.htm - 16k

Mach-pe'lah (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:17 So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre,
the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in ...
/m/mach-pe'lah.htm - 8k

Ephron (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:17 So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre,
the field, the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the ...
/e/ephron.htm - 13k

Machpelah (6 Occurrences)
... It was on the slope of a hill on the east of Hebron, "before Mamre." Here were laid
the bodies of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah (Genesis ...
/m/machpelah.htm - 19k

Hollow (35 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Genesis 23:17 So Ephron's field at Machpelah near Mamre, with the hollow
in the rock and all the trees in the field and round it, (BBE). ...
/h/hollow.htm - 20k

Cave (40 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:17 So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre,
the field, the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the ...
/c/cave.htm - 25k

Hebron (71 Occurrences)
... Here he pitched his tent under the oaks of Mamre, by which name it came afterwards
to be known; and here Sarah died, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah ...
/h/hebron.htm - 41k

Oaks (14 Occurrences)
... Oaks (14 Occurrences). Genesis 13:18 Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by
the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh. ...
/o/oaks.htm - 10k

Terebinths (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 13:18 And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre,
which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto Jehovah. (See JPS). ...
/t/terebinths.htm - 10k

Eshcol (6 Occurrences)
... esh'-kol ('eshkol, "cluster"; Eschol): The brother of Mamre and Aner, the Amorite
allies of Abraham who took part with him in the pursuit and defeat of ...
/e/eshcol.htm - 10k

Bible Concordance

Mamre (10 Occurrences)

Genesis 13:18 Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 14:13 One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. Now he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner; and these were allies of Abram.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 14:24 I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 18:1 Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 23:17 So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all of its borders, were deeded
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 23:19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 25:9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:27 Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as foreigners.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 49:30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial place.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 50:13 for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field, for a possession of a burial site, from Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Mamre

Mamre: A Plain Near Hebron: Abraham Resides In

Mamre: A Plain Near Hebron: Entertains Three Angels, and is Promised a Son

Mamre: A Plain Near Hebron: Isaac Lives In

Mamre: An Amorite and Confederate of Abraham

Related Terms

Mach-pe'lah (6 Occurrences)

Ephron (13 Occurrences)

Machpelah (6 Occurrences)

Hollow (35 Occurrences)

Cave (40 Occurrences)