Etymology and Meaning:
Kirjath-arba, meaning "City of Arba," is a significant biblical location mentioned in the Old Testament. The name is derived from Arba, who was considered the greatest man among the Anakim, a race of giants. The city is later known as Hebron, a name it retains to this day.

Biblical References:
Kirjath-arba is first mentioned in Genesis 23:2, where it is identified as the place where Sarah, the wife of Abraham, died: "Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her." This establishes the city's early significance as a patriarchal site.

In Joshua 14:15, the city is again referred to as Kirjath-arba: "Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba, after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war." This passage highlights the transition of the city from its association with the Anakim to its role in the Israelite conquest and settlement of Canaan.

Historical and Theological Significance:
Kirjath-arba holds a prominent place in biblical history as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It is closely associated with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are said to have lived in the area. The city is also the site of the Cave of Machpelah, the burial place of the patriarchs and matriarchs, which Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite (Genesis 23:17-20).

Theologically, Kirjath-arba represents God's faithfulness to His promises. The land, including Hebron, was promised to Abraham and his descendants, and its eventual conquest by the Israelites under Joshua signifies the fulfillment of God's covenant.

Role in the Conquest of Canaan:
During the conquest of Canaan, Kirjath-arba was a significant target due to its strategic location and its association with the Anakim. Caleb, one of the faithful spies sent by Moses, was granted Hebron as his inheritance because of his unwavering faith in God's promise (Joshua 14:13-14). Caleb's conquest of the city is recorded in Joshua 15:13-14: "According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, Caleb son of Jephunneh was given a portion among the children of Judah—Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak). And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak—Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak."

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological findings in the region of Hebron have provided insights into the ancient city's significance. The area is rich in history, with evidence of continuous habitation dating back to the Chalcolithic period. The city's ancient fortifications and structures reflect its importance as a center of trade and governance.

Legacy and Modern Relevance:
Today, Hebron remains a city of great religious and historical importance, revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. The Tomb of the Patriarchs, located in Hebron, is a site of pilgrimage and veneration, underscoring the city's enduring legacy as a place of faith and heritage.Kirjath-Arba

city of four; fourth city

Kirjath-Arba

See HEBRON.

City of Arba, the original name of Hebron (q.v.), so called from the name of its founder, one of the Anakim (Genesis 23:2; 35:27; Joshua 15:13). It was given to Caleb by Joshua as his portion. The Jews interpret the name as meaning "the city of the four", i.e., of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Adam, who were all, as they allege, buried there. KIRJATH-ARBA

kur-jath-ar'-ba, kir-jath-ar'-ba.

See KIRIATH-ARBA.

7153. Qiryath Arba -- "city of the four," an older name of Hebron
... NASB Word Usage Kiriath-arba (9). Kirjath-arba. Or (with the article interposed)
Qiryath ha- Arbaw (Neh. 11:25) {keer-yath' haw-ar ...
/hebrew/7153.htm - 6k

Chapter xxiii
... Chayy??m, the customary plural, expresses the multitude of aspects under which
life appears. 2. Sarah's death takes place at Kirjath-arba. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiii.htm

The Six Cities.
... "And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim,
and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii the six cities.htm

The Cities of Refuge.
... These cities were six in number: Kedesh, Shechem, and Kirjath-arba, on the west
of Jordan; and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan, on the east of that river. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the cities of refuge.htm

The Cities of Refuge
... house, unto the city from whence he fled.7. And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee
in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... Thus, too, we have the Septuagintal forms, Mambrim for Mamre, Geraron for Gerar,
Kiriath Arbok for Kirjath-Arba, Aunan for Aner (Genesis 14:24), Heliopolis for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

Appendix D.
... Ephron the Hittite, the son of Zohar, the field and the cave of Machpelah: and says
that Machpelah was before Mamre, otherwise called Kirjath-Arba, and Hebron. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

Chapter xxxv
... And Jacob came to Isaac, his father, to Mamre, to Kirjath-Arba"that is ... giving "Hebron"
parenthetically as the better known name for "KirjathArba," ie, "the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... And Jacob came to Isaac, his father, to Mamre, to Kirjath-Arba"that is ... giving "Hebron"
parenthetically as the better known name for "KirjathArba," ie, "the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... was glad. [2819] And rising up from thence she went up to Hebron, that is
Kirjath-Arba, or the City of the Four Men. These are Abraham ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Kirjatharba (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KIRJATH-ARBA. kur-jath-ar'-ba, kir-jath-ar'-ba.
See KIRIATH-ARBA. Multi-Version Concordance Kirjatharba (6 Occurrences). ...
/k/kirjatharba.htm - 8k

Kirjath-arba (8 Occurrences)
Kirjath-arba. Kirjatharba, Kirjath-arba. Kirjatharim . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Kirjatharba, Kirjath-arba. Kirjatharim . Reference Bible.
/k/kirjath-arba.htm - 9k

Hebron (71 Occurrences)
... Its earlier name was Kirjath-arba (Genesis 23:2; Joshua 14:15; 15:3). But "Hebron
would appear to have been the original name of the city, and it was not till ...
/h/hebron.htm - 41k

Kirjathaim (6 Occurrences)

/k/kirjathaim.htm - 9k

Hamlets (38 Occurrences)
... hamlets. (DBY). Joshua 15:54 and Humtah, and Kirjath-Arba, that is, Hebron,
and Zior: nine cities and their hamlets. (DBY). Joshua ...
/h/hamlets.htm - 16k

Kirjatharim (1 Occurrence)

/k/kirjatharim.htm - 6k

Dieth (192 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Genesis 23:2 and Sarah dieth in Kirjath-Arba, which 'is' Hebron, in the land
of Caanan, and Abraham goeth in to mourn for Sarah, and to bewail her. (YLT) ...
/d/dieth.htm - 34k

Bewail (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:2 and Sarah dieth in Kirjath-Arba, which 'is' Hebron, in the land of
Caanan, and Abraham goeth in to mourn for Sarah, and to bewail her. (YLT). ...
/b/bewail.htm - 10k

Caleb (39 Occurrences)
... of the land, and reminded him of the promise Moses had made to him, by virtue of
which he claimed a certain portion of the land of Kirjath-arba as his ...
/c/caleb.htm - 24k

Who is Caleb in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Anakim / Anakites? | GotQuestions.org

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