Genesis 23:20

Translations

Modern

So the field and its cave were deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And the field and the cave that is in it were established to Abraham as a possession of a burial place from the sons of Heth.

Latin

Et confirmatus est ager, et antrum quod erat in eo, Abrahæ in possessionem monumenti a filiis Heth.

Original

Hebrew

English

So the field and its cave were deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.

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

Jeremiah 32:10–14
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
Ruth 4:7–10
Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel.
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 49:31–32
There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah.
Genesis 50:5
…my father made me swear an oath when he said, ‘I am about to die. You must bury me in the tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go and bury my father, and then return.”
Genesis 25:9
His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite.
2 Kings 21:18
And Manasseh rested with his fathers and was buried in his palace garden, the garden of Uzza. And his son Amon reigned in his place.
2 Samuel 24:24
“No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
Genesis 50:24–25
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Heth: Son of Canaan and ancestor of the Hittites

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 Cave: Burial Place Caves: Found in The: Open Fields Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Transfers of Property Made Before Hittites: Called The: Sons of Heth Hittites: Dwelling Place of Land: Conveyance of, by Written Deeds and Other Forms Machpelah: The Burying Place of Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob

Genesis 23:20

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