Keraia
Genesis 23

Genesis 23:9

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

Translations

Modern
…to sell me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him; it is at the end of his field. Let him sell it to me in your presence for full price, so that I may have a burial site.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
…that he may give to me the cave of Machpelah which is his, which is at the end of his field. For full silver let him give it to me, in your midst, as a possession of a burial place.”
Latin
…ut det mihi speluncam duplicem, quam habet in extrema parte agri sui: pecunia digna tradat eam mihi coram vobis in possessionem sepulchri.

Original

Hebrew
English
…to sell me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him; it is at the end of his field. Let him sell it to me in your presence for full price, so that I may have a burial site.”

Notes

Genesis 23:9

This cave would serve as the permanent burial site for Abraham's family. It was near Mamre (23:19), where Abraham lived (see 13:18; 14:13; 18:1). They would bury Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah there (23:19; 25:9; 35:27–29; 49:29–31; 50:13). This marked their lasting presence in the promised land.

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

Places

Machpelah: A cave near Hebron; burial place of patriarchs

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 Burial: Burying Places in Caves Cave: Burial Place Caves: Machpelah 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 Machpelah: The Burying Place of Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob Money was Given for Lands Money: Silver Used As