Hi Pastor John,
I just have a question about Kiriath Arba / Hebron. In Joshua 14 we learn the town’s name was changed to Hebron. But some modern authors suggest they were separate cities. Do we know which is true? Also I suppose if it’s the same town Abraham may have thus known the town to be called Kiriath Arba or something like it? I guess we just don’t know, but it’s a curious detail I was wondering about.
Jenny
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Hi Jenny.
Good question, but your comment, “some modern authors suggest”, makes me think you are using commentaries, either online or in book form. As you know, I warn my Old Testament students not to do that, but to just to know the Bible. You asked me, “Which is true?” My answer: The Bible is! Also, I noticed that you spelled the word “Kiriath”, not “Kirjath”. Would you mind telling me where you got that spelling? It is not wrong; the word can be translated that way, but I just wondered which version of the Old Testament you are using In our translation, we always used “Kirjath” not “Kiriath”.
To give you a fuller scriptural answer your question . . .
Kirjath- (or Kiriath-) is a Hebrew word which means “city of”. And Arba was a man (a giant) who either founded the city or was famous and lived there. Hence, “Kirjath-Arba” (the “Arba” should be capitalized), as in Joshua 14:15: “And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakim.”
Repeatedly, Jenny, and plainly, the Bible states that Kijath-Arba is Hebron: Gen. 23:2; 35:27; Josh. 15:13, 54; 20:7; 21:11; Judg. 1:10. That being the case, why are you confused as to whether or not Kirjath-Arba is Hebron?
Pleasse don’t let “modern scholars” confuse you. By listening to them, you learn less of the Bible, not more. That is why I caution my students to concentrate on getting to know the Bible very well – and learn to trust it – before branching out and listening to what modern scholars say about the Bible. It is spiritually dangerous for students of the Old Testament to listen to them before learning the Bible well.
Your uncertainty about Hebron, in spite of what the Bible clearly and repeatedly says about it, is a case in point. By listening to them, you have ended up knowing less, though the scholars would have their listeners think they are learning more. Stay away from them. You don’t know the Bible well enough yet to escape being confused by their erudite, unbelieving nonsense.
I hope that helps.
Pastor John