Genesis 23:1-12

1 Sarah lived to be one hundred twenty-seven years old.

2 She died in Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham was very sad and cried because of her.

3 After a while he got up from the side of his wife's body and went to talk to the Hittites. He said,

4 "I am only a stranger and a foreigner here. Sell me some of your land so that I can bury my dead wife.

5 The Hittites answered Abraham,

6 "Sir, you are a great leader among us. You may have the best place we have to bury your dead. You may have any of our burying places that you want, and none of us will stop you from burying your dead wife."

7 Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land, the Hittites.

8 He said to them, "If you truly want to help me bury my dead wife here, speak to Ephron, the son of Zohar for me.

9 Ask him to sell me the cave of Machpelah at the edge of his field. I will pay him the full price. You can be the witnesses that I am buying it as a burial place."

10 Ephron was sitting among the Hittites at the city gate. He answered Abraham,

11 "No, sir. I will give you the land and the cave that is in it, with these people as witnesses. Bury your dead wife."

12 Then Abraham bowed down before the Hittites.

Genesis 23:1-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 23

This chapter treats of the age, death, and funeral of Sarah, and the place of her interment: of her age, Ge 23:1; of her death, Ge 23:2; of the motion Abraham made to the sons of Heth, to obtain a burial place among them, Ge 23:3,4; of the answer of them to him, giving him leave to bury in any of their sepulchres, Ge 23:5,6; of a second motion of his to them, to use their interest with Ephron the Hittite, to let him have the cave of Machpelah for the above purpose, Ge 23:7-9; of Ephron's consent unto it, Ge 23:10,11; of the purchase Abraham made of it for four hundred shekels of silver, Ge 23:12-16; and of its being secured unto him, which he interred Sarah his wife, Ge 23:17-20.