מַמְרֵא (mam.re)

mam.re

Mamre

H4471 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 10 verses

N:N--L

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 10 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N--L

Word Overview

Mamre is not a typical Hebrew word with a verb or adjective root, but rather a proper noun referring to a specific location in the land of Canaan. The sources suggest its name may derive from a root meaning "strength" or "fatness," perhaps describing the fertility of the land. It appears ten times in the Bible, primarily within the Genesis narrative.

This place is most famous as the site where Abraham pitched his tent and built an altar after arriving in Canaan (Genesis 13:18). Later, it serves as a landmark near Hebron, associated with Abraham’s purchase of a burial cave for Sarah. The text identifies it as an oak grove or terebinth tree area, marking it as a significant resting place for the patriarchs before they moved toward Hebron.

While modern archaeology has not definitively identified the exact spot, ancient tradition consistently links Mamre with the region of Hebron. Its biblical role is less about theological doctrine and more about establishing Abraham’s presence in the land he was promised, serving as a geographical anchor for his journey of faith.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

Mamre is not just a dot on an ancient map; it is a place where God met Abraham in the heat of the day. When Abram pitched his tent by the oaks of Mamre, he did more than set up camp. He built an altar, marking that specific patch of earth as holy ground. This act reminds us that faith often begins with simple, tangible steps: stopping, trusting, and worshipping in the place God has provided.

The significance of this location deepens over time. It becomes the setting for a profound visit from the Lord, offering hope to an aging couple, and later serves as the boundary for the burial cave where Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants rest. Mamre anchors the story of promise in real soil. It shows that God’s covenant is not abstract but grounded in history and place.

For you, this word invites a sense of stability. In a life that often feels transient, Mamre stands as a reminder that God establishes our dwelling places. Whether you are seeking rest or facing loss, the narrative of Mamre points to a God who stays near, providing both shelter and a lasting legacy of faith.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Mamre9×
and/ Mamre1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

מַמְרֵ֖א4×
מַמְרֵֽא\׃2×
מַמְרֵ֑א2×
מַמְרֵ֣א1×
וּ/מַמְרֵ֔א1×

Key Verses

Genesis 13:18
Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.

This verse marks the moment Abram transitions from wandering to settling, establishing Mamre as his first permanent base of operations in Canaan after building an altar.
Genesis 18:1
Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.

Here, Mamre becomes the intimate setting for a divine visitation, highlighting its role as a place of direct encounter and promise fulfillment.
Genesis 23:19
After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan.

The burial of Sarah here establishes Mamre/Hebron as the first legally owned piece of the Promised Land, securing a physical legacy for Abraham's family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Mamre mean?

The exact etymology is debated, but scholars often link it to roots meaning 'strength' or 'fatness,' likely referring to the fertile land and abundant oak groves there. It serves as a geographical marker rather than a theological term.

Where is Mamre located today?

The Bible places Mamre near Hebron in the land of Canaan. While ancient tradition consistently identifies the site with the area around modern-day Hebron, archaeology has not definitively pinpointed the exact location of the original oaks or altar.

Why is Mamre important in Genesis?

Mamre appears ten times in Genesis, serving as a recurring landmark for Abraham’s life. It marks where he worshipped, received divine promises, and eventually secured burial grounds, anchoring the patriarchs' journey in a specific place.

Every Occurrence (10 verses across 1 books)

Genesis 10 verses

Genesis 13:18

Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.

Genesis 14:13

One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother…

Genesis 14:24

I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me:…

Genesis 18:1

Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.

Genesis 23:17

So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, the cave which was in it, and all…

Genesis 23:19

After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the…

Genesis 25:9

Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite,…

Genesis 35:27

Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as…

Genesis 49:30

in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with…

Genesis 50:13

for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham…