Genesis 13:18

The plain of Mamre. Obeying God’s directions, Abram set forth once more. If he believed the word of God literally, this journey took him gradually through the length and breadth of the land. Abram finally pitched his tent at a grove near Hebron. The Hebrew word ’elone, translated “plain” in the KJV, should be rendered “oaks” (see on ch. 12:6). Here it is used in the plural and clearly indicates the presence of a number of large trees. This grove belonged to an Amorite chieftain, Mamre, who later became the friend and ally of Abram (ch. 14:13, 24).

Which is in Hebron. The city of Hebron lies 22 mi. south of Jerusalem, on the way to Beersheba. It is a city of great antiquity, having been built seven years before Zoan (Tanis) in Egypt (Num. 13:22). Since the date of the foundation of the Egyptian Tanis is not known, this chronological statement from the book of Numbers is unfortunately without meaning for us. The name Hebron was used at a later period, in the time of the patriarchs it was known as Kirjath-arba, or the city of Arba (see Gen. 23:2; Joshua 14:15). This is one of several instances in which Bible writers favored contemporary names in order to make the story more intelligible for their readers.

An altar unto the Lord. As earlier at Shechem (Gen. 12:7) and at Bethel (ch. 12:8), Abram again set up an altar. Each memorial to the true God expressed gratitude for His mercies and loyalty to His principles. That Abram’s Amorite and Hittite neighbors became his friends (chs. 14:13, 24; 23:7-17) may have been due to his wholesome influence upon them. Perhaps, also, they appreciated to some extent at least the fact that God’s blessing rested upon him, and felt they might share it with him (see ch. 12:3).

There must have awakened in their hearts the conviction that the God Abram worshiped and served was indeed the true God, Creator of heaven and earth. Abram’s witness by precept and example was certainly not without results.

=== 01 Genesis 14-17.txt ===