Genesis 23:1-10

1 Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years. These were the years of Sarah's life.

2 Sarah died in Kiryat-Arba (the same is Hevron), in the land of Kana`an. Avraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

3 Avraham rose up from before his dead, and spoke to the children of Het, saying,

4 "I am a stranger and a sojourner with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

5 The children of Het answered Avraham, saying to him,

6 "Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of God among us. In the choice of our tombs bury your dead. None of us will withhold from you his tomb, but that you may bury your dead."

7 Avraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Het.

8 He talked with them, saying, "If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to `Efron the son of Tzochar,

9 that he may give me the cave of Makhpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in the midst of you for a possession of a burying-place."

10 Now `Efron was sitting in the midst of the children of Het. `Efron the Hittite answered Avraham in the hearing of the children of Het, even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying,

Genesis 23:1-10 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.