Keraia
Genesis 23

Genesis 23:8

The Death and Burial of Sarah · Genesis 23:1–20
Read Genesis 23

Translations

Modern
“If you are willing for me to bury my dead,” he said to them, “listen to me, and approach Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf
Traditional
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,
Literal
And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your desire that I bury my dead from before me, hear me and intercede for me with Ephron son of Zohar,
Latin
…dixitque ad eos: Si placet animæ vestræ ut sepeliam mortuum meum, audite me, et intercedite pro me apud Ephron filium Seor:

Original

Hebrew
English
“If you are willing for me to bury my dead,” he said to them, “listen to me, and approach Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf

Notes

Genesis 23:7–16

Abraham wanted to buy Ephron’s cave at Machpelah, but Ephron wanted him to buy the entire field.

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

People

Ephron: A Hittite who sold a burial site to Abraham Zohar: Father of Ephron the Hittite

Glossary

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

Topics

Abraham: He Purchases a Place for Her Burial, and Buries Her in a Cave Abraham: Independence of, in Character Burial: Antiquity of Purchasing Places For Ephron: Son of Zohar, the Hittite: Sells to Abraham the Field Containing the Cave Machpelah Land: Bought and Sold Land: Conveyance of, by Written Deeds and Other Forms Zohar: Father of Ephron