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Hebron - Tomb of the Patriarchs

Tomb of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque

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Names
Transliterated Name Language Name
Tomb of the Patriarchs English
Cave of the Patriarchs English יחֶבְרוֹן
Cave of Machpelah
Me'arat HaMakhpela Biblical Hebrew מְעָרַת הַמַּכְפֵּלָה‎
al-Masjid al-Ibrahimi Arabic ٱلْمَسْجِد ٱلْإِبْرَاهِيمِيّ
Ibrahimi Mosque Muslim
Haram el-Khalil Arabic
Introduction
Introduction

The Tomb or Cave of the Patriarchs is series of caves located in the Old City of Hebron. According to the Abrahamic religions, the cave and adjoining field were purchased by Abraham as a burial plot for his family (wikipedia). The caves are surrounded by a rectangular enclosure built during Second Temple times on a slope opposite Tel Hebron, on a site commonly identified with the Cave of Machpelah (Avi Offer in Stern et al, 1993). Avi Offer in Stern et al (1993) further notes

A variety of evidence indicates the presence of several shaft tombs, dating to the Middle Bronze Age I and perhaps also the Iron Age, beneath the [Tomb] and in its environs. The structure itself is undoubtedly from the Second Temple period, but its construction is unattested in the sources. It is commonly attributed to Herod the Great, although some scholars date it even earlier. Over the years the building has undergone various modifications and additions; it has served at different times as a church and as a mosque.

Hebron - Introduction Webpage

Aerial Views and Plans
Aerial Views and Plans

Aerial Views

  • Satellite (Google) View of Hebron from biblewalks.com
  • Tomb of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque in Google Earth
  • Tomb of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque on govmap.gov.il

Plans

Normal Size

  • Plan of the Cave of the Patriarchs from wikipedia

Magnified

  • Plan of the Cave of the Patriarchs from wikipedia

Textual Chronology
Collapse (?) of the Tomb of the Patriarchs - 1119/1120 CE

Discussion

Discussion

Textual Seismic Effects
Collapse (?) of the Tomb of the Patriarchs - 1119/1120 CE

Effect                                                                     Location Image(s) Description
  • Collapsed Tomb (Collapsed Walls)
Cave (or Tomb) of the Patriarchs in Hebron
  • "... In this year also some who came from Jerusalem told of the discovery of the tombs of the prophets al-Khalil (Abraham) and his two sons Isaac and Jacob, may blessing from God be upon them and peace. They related that they were all together in a cave in the land of Jerusalem, and that they were as if alive, no part of their bodies having decayed, and no bones rotted, and that suspended over them in the cave were lamps of gold and silver. The graves were then restored to their former condition. This is the story precisely as it was told, but God is more knowing of the truth than any other.” - Ibn al‑Qalanisi

  • "In this year was opened the tomb of Abraham, and those of his two sons Isaac and Jacob, at a place near the Holy City. Many people saw the Patriarchs. Their limbs had nowise been disturbed, and beside them were placed lamps of gold and of silver.” - Ibn al‑Athir

  • " ... And I, 'Ali of Herat — may Allah pardon me my sins ! — do relate the following of my own experience :

    I went to Jerusalem in the year 567 (1172), and both there and at Hebron I made the acquaintance of certain Shaikhs, who informed me that [in the year 513 (1119)]* during the reign of King Bardawil (Baldwin II.) a certain part over the Cave of Abraham had given way, and that a number of the Franks had, by the King's permission, made their entrance therein. And they discovered (the bodies of) Abraham and Isaac and Jacob— peace be upon them ! — their shrouds having fallen to pieces, lying propped up against a wall. Over each of their heads were napkins [or lamps], and their heads were uncovered. Then the King, after providing new shrouds, caused the place to be closed once more. And this was in the year 513 (1119).” - Yaqut al‑Hamawi quoting Ali of Herat

Textual Intensity Estimates
Collapse (?) of the Tomb of the Patriarchs - 1119/1120 CE

Effect                                                                     Location Image(s) Description Intensity
  • Collapsed Tomb (Collapsed Walls)
Cave (or Tomb) of the Patriarchs in Hebron
  • "... In this year also some who came from Jerusalem told of the discovery of the tombs of the prophets al-Khalil (Abraham) and his two sons Isaac and Jacob, may blessing from God be upon them and peace. They related that they were all together in a cave in the land of Jerusalem, and that they were as if alive, no part of their bodies having decayed, and no bones rotted, and that suspended over them in the cave were lamps of gold and silver. The graves were then restored to their former condition. This is the story precisely as it was told, but God is more knowing of the truth than any other.” - Ibn al‑Qalanisi

  • "In this year was opened the tomb of Abraham, and those of his two sons Isaac and Jacob, at a place near the Holy City. Many people saw the Patriarchs. Their limbs had nowise been disturbed, and beside them were placed lamps of gold and of silver.” - Ibn al‑Athir

  • " ... And I, 'Ali of Herat — may Allah pardon me my sins ! — do relate the following of my own experience :

    I went to Jerusalem in the year 567 (1172), and both there and at Hebron I made the acquaintance of certain Shaikhs, who informed me that [in the year 513 (1119)]* during the reign of King Bardawil (Baldwin II.) a certain part over the Cave of Abraham had given way, and that a number of the Franks had, by the King's permission, made their entrance therein. And they discovered (the bodies of) Abraham and Isaac and Jacob— peace be upon them ! — their shrouds having fallen to pieces, lying propped up against a wall. Over each of their heads were napkins [or lamps], and their heads were uncovered. Then the King, after providing new shrouds, caused the place to be closed once more. And this was in the year 513 (1119).” - Yaqut al‑Hamawi quoting Ali of Herat
  • VIII+
Although it is unlikely that these stories describe a collapse due to an earthquake, the reported evidence may require a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

Online Versions and Further Reading
References
Wikipedia pages

Hebron

Old City of Hebron

Tel Hebron/Tel Rumeida

The Tomb of the Patriarchs/Cave of the Patriarchs/Haram el-Khalil/Cave of Machpelah/Ibrahimi Mosque