HEBRON, a very ancient city of Palestine, in the tribe of Judah, 18 miles S. of Jerusalem. Its most ancient name was Kirjath-arba, i. e., "the city of Arba," so called from Arba, the father of Anak and of the Anakim, who dwelt in and around Hebron. The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob resided much at Hebron, and are there entombed. The ancient city lay in a valley; and the two remaining pools, one of which at least existed in the time of David, serve with other circumstances to identify the modern with the ancient site. David on becoming king of Judah, made Hebron his royal residence, and reigned here seven and a half years. Its modern name is El Khulib, "the friend" of God, the title by which the Moslems designate Abraham. In modern history Hebron is chiefly noted for the part taken by its inhabitants in the rebellion of 1834, and the heavy retribution which it brought down upon them. They gave battle to Ibrahim Pasha near Solomon's pools, but were defeated, and retired within the city, which was taken by storm, and given over to sack and pillage. The town of Hebron lies low down on the sloping sides of a narrow valley. The houses are all of stone, high and well-built, with windows, and flat roofs, on which are small domes, sometimes two or three to each house. The streets are narrow, seldom more than two or three yards in width. The bazaars and shops are well supplied with commodities. It has nine mosques, the principal of which is the massive structure built over the tombs of the patriarchs. This is esteemed by the Moslems one of their holiest places, from which Christians are rigorously excluded. Hebron has long been noted for the produce of its glass-works, consisting chiefly of glass lamps, many of which are exported to Egypt. Pop. variously estimated from 5000 to 10,000.