THE HILL AND OAK OF MAMRE
(1) Now about the Hill of Mamre. It lies a mile to the north of the tombs (of the Patriarchs) we have just described, and is covered in grass and flowers. It looks south to Hebron. (2) This small hill called Mamre is flat on top, and on the northern part of it has been built a large stone church. On the right hand side, between the two walls of this church, is an unexpected sight. There stands the Oak of Mamre, rooted in the earth. which is also called Abraham's Oak because under it he once received angels as his guests. (3) Saint Jerome has a passage where he says it existed from the creation of the world up to the reign of King Constantine, but he may have avoided saying that it had completely vanished, because at that time, though it was not as large or complete as it had formerly been, still some part of it remained in place (4) Arculf saw it with his own eyes, and said that a lopped tree remained there with its roots in the ground. It was protected by the roof of the church, and was about twice the height of a man. (5) This trunk is scarred and hacked about with axes, because small splinters of it are taken to many parts of the world as venerable mementoes of this Oak, under which Abraham was permitted to have that renowned and famous meeting with the angels. (6) Around this church, which was built in honour of the place, one sees a few dwellings for nuns. But enough of this subject! Let us move on to something else.
(transl. Wilkinson)
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