HEBRON (anc. geog.), a very ancient city situated in the hilly country of the tribe of Judah at the south. Its more ancient name was Kiriath Arba, or Cariath Arba. In antiquity this city vied with the most ancient cities of Egypt, being seven years prior to Zoan, translated Tanis by the seventy. Jolephus makes it not only older than Tanis, but even than Memphis. It stood to the west of the lake Asphaltites, and was for some time the royal residence of David. After the captivity, it fell into the hands of the Edomites, as did all the south country of Judæa.