Arizona republican., 1917-12-20
HEBRON OF GREAT
 INTEREST ID BIBLE
 STUDENTS TODAY

WASHINGTON l.. C. Dee. I9.--l with tho exception of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Damascus, there is not Q city in the Holy Land N hich holds -rcater interest for the bible student than the ancient town Of Hebron, wh0so capture b. British forces under General r.. IT. r.. Al!cnby was au- nouuced recently" says g. war geo. sraphy bulletin issued today by the National Geographic society from its Washington headquarters.
 Hebron iS G ribbon of a town run ming along tine eastern slope of mar row valley, above which are terraccd vineyards and fruit orchards of great fertility It is not more than % miles southwest Of Jerusalem, and in peace times tourists are accustomed to make ihe Journey by carriage in four and q half hours.
 tu'I CaptGred and piilaged by the '3Ieo.les tas recorded in lne Book ut JcSAuaJ Hebron Was known as kir- iitH Arba. it ts one of the most au- oienl cities u the world, having been founded according to ;he Book Of Numbers, seven years before Zoan in Egypt
 The name cf Hebron means The Friend of God in other words the city of Abraham. A free standing in the Russian hosriee garden, half a mile from tue city, ia known as the Oak of Abraham IL will he remembered that it was under the Oas1s of Mamre that he patriarch pitched his tents and he is supposed 10 have bailt an altar here in l920 E. C.
 When Moses sent his spies into the land of Canaan Hebron was one of the cities visited. twas here that David was anCinted king over Judah, and that six of his sons were born, in- Cludins Absal0m who at a later date Tuade this place the headquarters of his rebellion against his father. II was also here that Abner, captain of Sauls hosts and guardian of SauIs sor ishbosheth, was killed by.Joab.
 Hebron was fortified by Rehoboam and was repeopled after the return of the Children Of Israel from captivity.
 Following the biblical days Hebron was destroyed by the Romans. It be- came d place of importance under Mos 1omperce but also because of it's cen rem rule. not only on account of its nection with Abraham, who is vener- atcd by the followers of Mohammed. During the Crusades it was coupled by the Christians for a short time and became the seat of Latin Bishop ill 1t67, but 1t was rccaptured by the Moslems under Saladin twenty years later
 "The most conspicuous building in Hebron is the Haram, with it's ram parts dating from the Herodian period. Within the enclosure are modern cen otaphs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Kebecca and Leah These are above the double cavern of Macphelah, which was purchased by Abraham from Ephron the Hittite as d family burial place when Sarah died The tombs of the patriarchs are covered with richly embroidered green cloths, while those of their wives are covered with crim- son draperies.
 The population of Hebron is vari- ously estimated 1t from 10000 to 22,- DOC, and the number of Jews at from 300 10 2000 The town was a thriy- ing trading center before the war, the B.douins finding here an active demaDd for their bales of wool and camefs hair. The chief manufactures of the community were glass brace lets, leather water bottles and lamps.
 According to medieval tradition Adam the father of mankind, died in Hebron"