The name of the place in the neighbourhood of Hebron (which see) where Abraham dwelt (Genesis 23:17,19; 35:27); called also in Authorized Version (Genesis 13:18) the "plain of Mamre," but in Revised Version more correctly "the oaks [marg., 'terebinths'] of Mamre." The name probably denotes the "oak grove" or the "wood of Mamre," thus designated after Abraham's ally.
This "grove" must have been within sight of or "facing" Machpelah (which see). The site of Mamre has been identified with Ballatet Selta, i.e., "the oak of rest", where there is a tree called "Abraham's oak," about a mile and a half west of Hebron. Others identify it with er-Rameh, Genesis 2 miles north of Hebron.
