<P> The site of the Cave of the Patriarchs is located beneath a Saladin - era mosque, which had been converted from a large rectangular Herodian - era Judean structure . </P> <P> Dating back over 2,000 years, the monumental Herodian compound is believed to be the oldest continuously used intact prayer structure in the world, and is the oldest major building in the world that still fulfills its original function . The Hebrew name of the complex reflects the very old tradition of the double tombs of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah, considered the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish people . The only Jewish matriarch missing is Rachel, described in one biblical tradition as having been buried near Bethlehem . The Arabic name of the complex reflects the prominence given to Abraham, revered by Muslims as a Quranic prophet and patriarch through Ishmael . Outside biblical and Quranic sources there are a number of legends and traditions associated with the cave . In Acts 7: 16 of the Christian Bible the cave of the Patriarchs is located in Shechem (Latin: Neapolis; Arabic: Nablus). </P> <P> According to the Book of Genesis 23: 1--20, Sarah, the wife of Abraham, "died in Kiryat - arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan". Abraham the Hebrew (Avraham Ha - Ivri) was tending to business elsewhere when she died, at the age of 127 years, and he "came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her ." (Genesis 23: 2) After a while, he stood up and spoke to the "sons of Heth" and requested they give him a possession as a "burying place", and they offered him his "choice" of their sepulchres . And then in verse 7 he again "stood up" to speak to them . Abraham then requested that Ephron the Hittite, the son of Zohar, give him the cave of Machpelah, in the end of his field, "for as much money as it is worth". (verse 9) After Ephron confirmed that he would give the cave, in verse 11, Abraham further requested that he give him the field for money, in verse 13 . Ephron agreed and named a price . </P> <P> Genesis 23: 16 ¶ And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant . (17) And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure (18) Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city . </P>

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