Mamre
LocationsGeographical Setting
Mamre is an ancient site near Hebron traditionally identified as the location of Abraham's oak grove and later a significant religious sanctuary.
What is the meaning of Mamre in the Bible?
Mamre denotes a specific location near Hebron associated with the patriarch Abraham in Genesis, featuring a prominent oak grove where he established a tent and later built an altar. The site evolved into a major cultic center, with Roman and Byzantine structures built over earlier shrines, reflecting its enduring importance in Judean religious history.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Mamre provides geographical context for the narratives of Abraham's hospitality and covenant rituals, illustrating how early Israelite traditions anchored spiritual events in tangible, local landscapes that persisted through subsequent historical periods.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Mamre in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Mamre clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.