Genesis 23:19

Translations

Modern

After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And 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.

Latin

Atque ita sepelivit Abraham Saram uxorem suam in spelunca agri duplici, quæ respiciebat Mambre. Hæc est Hebron in terra Chanaan.

Original

Hebrew

English

After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Notes

Genesis 23:16–20

Abraham paid the full amount and completed the deal. He avoided debt by not accepting gifts from the people (compare 14:21–24). The Hittite elders witnessed the deal, ensuring no one could dispute Abraham's ownership of the land. The transaction happened at the city gate, where they conducted public legal and business matters (see 19:1).

The land became Abraham's permanent property, a first step toward God's promise to give him the land. God had not yet fulfilled his promise with this purchase. Abraham knew it, so he planned for the future (12:7). By buying land for his dead, he showed that God's promises continue beyond this life. This is the hope for all who die with faith.

Genesis 23:1–20

She died: Abraham bought a piece of land for Sarah's burial. This was the first sign of a permanent change, as people usually buried their dead in their ancestral homeland (compare 49:29–50:13). By burying Sarah, Abraham separated himself from his ancestral home (where his relatives still lived, 22:20–24). His future would be in Canaan, where his descendants would fulfill the promise.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Hittites Sarah Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 50:13
They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.
Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
Ecclesiastes 12:5
…when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.
Genesis 49:29–32
Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite.
Genesis 47:30
…but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.”
Genesis 35:27–29
Jacob returned to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.
Job 30:23
Yes, I know that You will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.
Ecclesiastes 6:3
A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
Genesis 50:25
And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”
Genesis 25:9–10
His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
…before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Sarah: Wife of Abraham; mother of Isaac

Places

Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Hebron: An important city in Judah; burial place of patriarchs Machpelah: A cave near Hebron; burial place of patriarchs Mamre: A place near Hebron; associated with Abraham

Glossary

Abraham Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Burial, Burial Customs Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Hittites Isaac Machpelah Patriarchs, Period of the Sarah

Topics

Abraham: He Purchases a Place for Her Burial, and Buries Her in a Cave Burial: Places Used for Natural Caves Cave: Burial Place Caves were Used as Burial Places Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Transfers of Property Made Before Hittites: Dwelling Place of Hittites: Dwelt in Hebron Land: Conveyance of, by Written Deeds and Other Forms Machpelah: The Burying Place of Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob

Genesis 23:19

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