Mamre
MAMRE
An Amorite prince, brother of Eshcol and Aner. All three united their forces to aid Abraham in the rescue of Lot, Gen 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, Gen 13:18 18:1. The cave of Machpelah was adjacent to Mamre on the east, Gen 23:17,19 49:30; and from the heights nearby, Abraham could see the smoking plain of Sodom, Gen 19:27,28 .
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Mamre
(Heb. Mamre’, , fat; Sept. ; Josephus , Ant. 1:10, 2; Vulg. Mambre), the name of an Amoritish chief who, with his brothers Aner and Eschol, was in alliance with Abraham (Gen 14:13; Gen 14:24). B.C. cir. 2080. In the Jewish traditions he appears as encouraging Abraham to undergo the pain of circumcision, from which his brothers would have dissuaded shim, by a reference to the deliverance he had already experienced from far greater trials-the furnace of Nimrod and the sword of Chedorlaomer (Beer, Leben Abrahams, p.36). Hence ( , Sept. ), in the Auth.Vers., the oaks of Mamre, plain of Mamre (Gen 13:18; Gen 18:1), or simply Mamre (Gen 23:17; Gen 23:19; Gen 35:27), a grove in the neighborhood of Hebron. It was here that Abrahar first dwelt after separating from Lot (Gen 13:18); here the divine angel visited him with the warning of Sodom’s fate (Gen 18:1); it was in the cave in the corner of the field opposite this place that he deposited the remains of Sarah (Gen 23:17; Gen 23:19); where he was himself buried (Gen 25:9), as was likewise Jacob (Gen 49:30; Genesis 1, 13). In later times the spot is said to have lain six stadia from Hebron, still marked by a reputedly sacred terebinth (Joseph. War, 4:9, 7; Eusebius, Praep. Evang. v. 9; Sozomen, Hist. Ev. 1:18; Eusebius, Onomast. s.v. , Arboch); and later travelers likewise (Sanutus, Secret. fidel. 3:14, 3, in the Gesta Dei per. Franc. 2:248; Troilo, Trav. p. 418) speak of a very venerable tree of this kind near the ruins of a church at Hebron (see Reland, Palaest. p. 712 sq.). Dr. Robinson found here, at a place called Ramet el-Khulil, one hour distant from Hebron, some ancient remains, which he regards (in accordance with the local tradition) as probably marking the site of Abraham’s sepulcher (Researches, 1:318). He saw the venerable oak near Hebron which still passes with the Mohammedans for the tree under which Abraham pitched his tent (Researches, 2:429), but which he states is not a terebinth (ib. 443). SEE OAK.
According to Schwarz, North of Hebron, and sideward from Halhul, is a plain about two and one half miles in length, which the Arabs call Elon, no doubt the ancient dwelling-place of Abraham (Palestine, p. 109). SEE HEBRON. Manre is stated to have been at Hebron, for we read that Jacob came unto Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kirjath-Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned’ (Gen 35:27). The relative positions of Machpelah and Mamre are also described with great exactness. Five times Moses states that Machpelah lay before Mamre’ (; Sept. ; Vulg. quae respiciebat); which may mean either that it was to the east of Mamre, or that it lay facing it. The latter seems to be the true meaning. Machpelah is situated or the shelving bank of a little valley, and probably the oakgrove of Mamre stood on the other side of the valley, facing the cave, while the town of Hebron lay a little farther up to the north-west (Gen 23:17; Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:30; Genesis 1, 13). The identity of Machpelah with the modern Haarna being established, SEE MACHPELAH, there can be little difficulty in fixing the position of Mamre; it must have been within sight of or facing’ Machpelah, and so near the town of Hebron that it could be described as at it. The Jerusalem Itinerary places it two miles from Hebron (p. 599), and Sozomen (H. E. 2:4) says it lay on the north towards Jerusalem. It is evident that all these notices refer to the above ruin, Ramet el-Khulil. The Jews of Hebrol call it the house of Abraham,’ and regard it as the site of Mamre (Porter, Handbook, 1:72; Stanley, S. and P. p. 141). The position, however, does not accord with the notices in Genesis, and cannot, therefore, be the true site of Mamre. The sacred grove and the place of the patriarch’s tent were doubtless on the face of the hill facing the great Haram, which covers the cave of Machpelah (Stanley, Sermons in the East, p. 166 sq.; Ritter, Pal. und Syr. 3:222 sq.). The tradition which identified Mamre with Ramet el-Khulil may have originated in the existence of a grove of venerable oaks on that spot, just as now the great oak a mile or more west of the town is called Abraham’s Oak’ (Porter, Handbk. 1:70). SEE ABRAHAM.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
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 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.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Mamre
An ancient Amorite. Gen 13:18, “the plain (rather the oaks or terebinths) of Mamre”; Gen 14:13; Gen 14:24, brother of Eshcol, friend and ally of Abraham. The chieftain had planted the terebinths, or was associated with them as his tenting place; so “the oak of Deborah” (Jdg 4:5). Mamre was less than a mile from Hebron (Josephus, B. J. 4:9, section 7); but Robinson makes it two Roman miles off, now the hill er Rameh.
Constantine, to suppress the superstitions veneration to the terebinths, erected a basilica or church on the spot. That it was on an elevation appears from the record that Machpelah faces it (Gen 23:17-19; Gen 25:9). Abram resided under the oak grove shade in the interval between his stay at Bethel and at Beersheba (Gen 13:18; Gen 18:1; Gen 20:1; Gen 21:31). If Machpelah be on the N.E. side of the Hebron valley, then Mamre as “facing it” must have been on the opposite slope, where the governor’s house now is. (See HEBRON.)
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
MAMRE
Mamre was a locality in Hebron named after the man who owned it. Its prominent oak trees, which possibly were considered sacred, were a well known landmark (Gen 13:18; Gen 14:13; Gen 14:24; Gen 18:1; Gen 23:19). (For details see HEBRON.)
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Mamre
MAMRE.A name found several times in connexion with the history of Abraham. It occurs (a) in the expression terebinths of Mamre in Gen 13:18; Gen 18:1 (both J [Note: Jahwist.] ), and Gen 14:13 (from an independent source) with the addition of the Amorite; (b) in the expression which is before Mamre, in descriptions of the cave of Machpelah, or of the field in which it was (Gen 23:17; Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:30; Gen 50:13), and in Gen 35:27, where Mamre is mentioned as the place of Isaacs death; (c) in Gen 14:24 as the name of one of Abrahams allies, in his expedition for the recovery of Lot. In (b) Mamre is an old name, either of Hebron or of a part of Hebron (cf. Gen 23:19, Gen 35:27); in Gen 14:13 it is the name of a local sheik or chief (cf. Gen 14:24), the owner of the terebinths called after him; in Gen 13:18; Gen 18:1 it is not clear whether it is the name of a person or of a place. The terebinths of Mamre are the spot at which Abraham pitched his tent in Hebron. The site is uncertain, though, if the present mosque, on the N.E. edge of Hebron, is really built over the cave of Machpelah, and if before has its usual topographical sense of east of, it will have been to the W. of this, and at no great distance from it (for the terebinths are described as being in Hebron, Gen 13:18). From Josephus time (BJ, IV. ix. 7) to the present day, terebinths or oaks called by the name of Abraham have been shown at different spots near Hebron; but none has any real claim to mark the authentic site of the ancient Mamre. The oak mentioned by Josephus was 6 stadia from the city; but he does not indicate in which direction it lay. Sozomen (HE ii. 4), in speaking of the Abrahams Oak of Constantines day (2 miles N. of Hebron), states that it was regarded as sacred, and that an annual fair and feast was held beside it, at which sacrifices were offered, and libations and other offerings cast into a well close by. Cf. Oak.
S. R. Driver.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Mamre
The hallowed spot where the Lord appeared unto Abraham. (Gen 18:1) It is derived from Marah, bitter.
Fuente: The Poor Mans Concordance and Dictionary to the Sacred Scriptures
Mamre
mamre (, mamre’; Septuagint , Mambre):
(1) In Gen 14:24 Mamre is mentioned as the name of one of Abraham’s allies, who in Gen 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 (Gen 14:13; Gen 18:1) are described (Gen 13:18) as in Hebron. Later on MACHPELAH (which see) is described as before, i.e. to the East of Mamre (Gen 23:17; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:30; Gen 50:13), and Mamre is identified with Hebron itself (Gen 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 Arbain (see HEBRON) as that of Mamre, relying especially, no doubt, in its inception on the identity of Mamre and Hebron (Gen 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 (Gen 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-Khall. 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 – Br el-Khall – 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 AD) and by Benjamin of Tudela (1163 AD). 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 Arbain, 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 (Gen 14:13, Gen 14:14).
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Mamre
Mamre, the name of an Amoritish chief who, with his brothers Aner and Eshcol, was in alliance with Abraham (Gen 14:13; Gen 14:24). Hence, in the Authorized Version, ‘the oaks of Mamre,’ ‘plain of Mamre’ (Gen 13:18; Gen 18:1), or simply ‘Mamre’ (Gen 23:17; Gen 23:19; Gen 35:27), a grove in the neighborhood of Hebron.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Mamre
[Mam’re]
1. An Amorite chieftain, who, with his brothers Aner and Eshcol, was confederate with Abram. Gen 14:13; Gen 14:24.
2. Place connected with Machpelah and Hebron, the name of which is derived from the above chief. Gen 13:18; Gen 18:1; Gen 23:17; Gen 23:19; Gen 35:27; Gen 49:30.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Mamre
H4471
1. A plain near Hebron:
– Abraham resides in
Gen 13:18; Gen 14:13
– Entertains three angels, and is promised a son
Gen 18:1-15
– Isaac dwells in
Gen 35:27
2. An Amorite and confederate of Abraham
Gen 14:13; Gen 14:24
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Mamre
Mam’re. (strength, fatness). An ancient Amorite, who with his brothers, Eshcol and Aner, was in alliance with Abram, Gen 14:13; Gen 14:151, and under the shade of whose oak grove, the patriarch dwelt in the interval between his residence at Bethel and at Beersheba. Gen 13:18; Gen 18:1. In the subsequent chapters, Mamre is a mere local appellation. Gen 23:17; Gen 23:19; Gen 25:9; Gen 49:30; Gen 50:13.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
MAMRE
plains of
Gen 13:18; Gen 14:13; Gen 18:1
Fuente: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible
Mamre
an Amorite, brother of Aner and Eshcol, and friend of Abraham, Gen 14:13. It was with these three persons, together with his own and their domestics, that Abraham pursued and overcame the kings after their conquest of Sodom and Gomorrah.
2. MAMRE, the same as Hebron. In Gen 23:19, it is said, that Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. And in Gen 35:27, it is said, that Jacob came unto Isaac his father, unto Mamre, unto the city of Arba, which is Hebron. The city probably derived its name from that Mamre who joined Abraham in the pursuit of Chedorlaomer, and the rescue of Lot, Genesis 14.
MAMRE, PLAIN OF, a plain near Mamre, or Hebron, said to be about two miles to the south of the town. Here Abraham dwelt after his separation from Lot; here he received from God himself a promise of the land, in which he was then a stranger, for his posterity; here he entertained the angels under an oak, and received a second promise of a son; and here he purchased a burying place for Sarah; which served also as a sepulchre for himself and the rest of his family.