Genesis 23 Commentary: Sarah's Death and Abraham's Purchase
And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
And Sarah died in Kirjath–arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
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.
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
Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.
Context: Setting the Stage for Genesis 23
Genesis 23 occurs after significant events in Abraham's life. Following the birth of Isaac, the expulsion of Ishmael, and the near-sacrifice of Isaac, the narrative jumps forward several decades. Sarah, Abraham's wife, passes away at the age of 127. Abraham then negotiates the purchase of a burial plot in Canaan, solidifying his family's presence in the promised land. This chapter sets the stage for the subsequent search for a wife for Isaac in Genesis 24.
Sarah's Death and God's Provision (Genesis 23:1)
Genesis 23:1 states that Sarah died at the age of 127. While this may seem like a minor detail, it reflects God's gracious provision. Sarah was ninety years old when Isaac was born, well past the age of childbearing. God not only miraculously enabled her to conceive but also granted her nearly four decades to spend with her son. Even the length of our lives is in the hands of a God who cares about the details.
Mourning and Seeking a Burial Place (Genesis 23:2-4)
After Sarah's death, Abraham mourns for her. The text indicates that they were living in Hebron, near Mamre (Genesis 23:1-2), approximately 20 miles south of what would later become Jerusalem. Following his period of mourning, Abraham approaches the Hittites, descendants of Noah's grandson Canaan and part of the original Canaanite population, to request a burial place.
Abraham's Request and the Hittites' Response (Genesis 23:3-6)
Abraham presents himself to the Hittites as "a foreigner and a sojourner" (Genesis 23:4), humbly requesting a piece of property to use as a burial site. The Hittites respond with respect, calling him "a prince of God among us" (Genesis 23:6). Despite being a foreigner, Abraham was wealthy and blessed by God, earning him the Hittites' esteem. They offered him the choice of any of their own tombs for Sarah's burial.
The Desire for a Permanent Possession (Genesis 23:7-9)
While the Hittites' offer was generous, Abraham had a specific desire: to establish a permanent family burial place in Canaan. He wanted to acquire a piece of property that would belong to him alone, solidifying his family's connection to the land God had promised.
Negotiation and Purchase of the Cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:10-18)
Abraham singles out Ephron, son of Zohar, and asks to purchase the cave of Machpelah, located east of Mamre (Genesis 23:9). A negotiation ensues, reflecting Middle Eastern bargaining traditions. Ephron initially offers the cave and the attached field as a gift, but Abraham insists on paying for it to avoid future disputes over ownership. Ephron names a price of 400 shekels of silver, which Abraham immediately agrees to pay in full view of the assembled Hittite elders. The transaction is quickly concluded and witnessed, establishing Abraham's legal ownership of the property. Abraham understood the significance of owning this land in the land God promised him.
Seizing the Firstfruits of Promise (Genesis 23:2-20)
Why was Abraham so insistent on buying this burial plot? Abraham was in the land of promise and saw in his wife’s death the opportunity to seize the firstfruits of God’s promise. This explains why he insisted upon paying the full price for his burial plot (Genesis 23:9, 13), rather than receiving it as a gift, as Ephron and the other local leaders desired (Genesis 23:6, 11). Abraham knew he could hold no lasting right to a gifted grave. An actual sale, on the other hand, with an exchange of money (Genesis 23:15) and a company of witnesses (Genesis 23:16), would give him a toehold in possessing the land of Canaan.
Burial and Future Significance (Genesis 23:19-20)
Abraham buries Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, which he now owns in Canaan (Genesis 23:19). This cave becomes a significant family burial site. Abraham himself is later buried there, along with Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah. Without conflict, God's people begin their occupation of the land promised to Abraham's descendants. This act of purchasing and possessing the land, even for burial, symbolizes the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.
And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
And Sarah died in Kirjath–arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
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.
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
Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.
Context: Setting the Stage for Genesis 23
Genesis 23 occurs after significant events in Abraham's life. Following the birth of Isaac, the expulsion of Ishmael, and the near-sacrifice of Isaac, the narrative jumps forward several decades. Sarah, Abraham's wife, passes away at the age of 127. Abraham then negotiates the purchase of a burial plot in Canaan, solidifying his family's presence in the promised land. This chapter sets the stage for the subsequent search for a wife for Isaac in Genesis 24.
Sarah's Death and God's Provision (Genesis 23:1)
Genesis 23:1 states that Sarah died at the age of 127. While this may seem like a minor detail, it reflects God's gracious provision. Sarah was ninety years old when Isaac was born, well past the age of childbearing. God not only miraculously enabled her to conceive but also granted her nearly four decades to spend with her son. Even the length of our lives is in the hands of a God who cares about the details.
Mourning and Seeking a Burial Place (Genesis 23:2-4)
After Sarah's death, Abraham mourns for her. The text indicates that they were living in Hebron, near Mamre (Genesis 23:1-2), approximately 20 miles south of what would later become Jerusalem. Following his period of mourning, Abraham approaches the Hittites, descendants of Noah's grandson Canaan and part of the original Canaanite population, to request a burial place.
Abraham's Request and the Hittites' Response (Genesis 23:3-6)
Abraham presents himself to the Hittites as "a foreigner and a sojourner" (Genesis 23:4), humbly requesting a piece of property to use as a burial site. The Hittites respond with respect, calling him "a prince of God among us" (Genesis 23:6). Despite being a foreigner, Abraham was wealthy and blessed by God, earning him the Hittites' esteem. They offered him the choice of any of their own tombs for Sarah's burial.
The Desire for a Permanent Possession (Genesis 23:7-9)
While the Hittites' offer was generous, Abraham had a specific desire: to establish a permanent family burial place in Canaan. He wanted to acquire a piece of property that would belong to him alone, solidifying his family's connection to the land God had promised.
Negotiation and Purchase of the Cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:10-18)
Abraham singles out Ephron, son of Zohar, and asks to purchase the cave of Machpelah, located east of Mamre (Genesis 23:9). A negotiation ensues, reflecting Middle Eastern bargaining traditions. Ephron initially offers the cave and the attached field as a gift, but Abraham insists on paying for it to avoid future disputes over ownership. Ephron names a price of 400 shekels of silver, which Abraham immediately agrees to pay in full view of the assembled Hittite elders. The transaction is quickly concluded and witnessed, establishing Abraham's legal ownership of the property. Abraham understood the significance of owning this land in the land God promised him.
Seizing the Firstfruits of Promise (Genesis 23:2-20)
Why was Abraham so insistent on buying this burial plot? Abraham was in the land of promise and saw in his wife’s death the opportunity to seize the firstfruits of God’s promise. This explains why he insisted upon paying the full price for his burial plot (Genesis 23:9, 13), rather than receiving it as a gift, as Ephron and the other local leaders desired (Genesis 23:6, 11). Abraham knew he could hold no lasting right to a gifted grave. An actual sale, on the other hand, with an exchange of money (Genesis 23:15) and a company of witnesses (Genesis 23:16), would give him a toehold in possessing the land of Canaan.
Burial and Future Significance (Genesis 23:19-20)
Abraham buries Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, which he now owns in Canaan (Genesis 23:19). This cave becomes a significant family burial site. Abraham himself is later buried there, along with Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah. Without conflict, God's people begin their occupation of the land promised to Abraham's descendants. This act of purchasing and possessing the land, even for burial, symbolizes the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.