Old Testament · Genesis

Genesis 23

King James Version · Study Bible

Author

Moses

Written

~1446-1406 BC

Key Theme

God's covenant of land

Setting

Hebron - mourning site

Key Verse

Genesis 23:4

Total Verses

20

Chapter Introduction

*In this tender chapter we see the faithful Abraham confronting loss and longing. He stands before the sons of Heth, not as a ruler but as a humble sojourner seeking a place to lay his beloved Sarah. The request for a burial site is more than a practical need—it echoes the promise that God will give His people a permanent home. Through Abraham's humility and faith, we glimpse the unfolding of God's gracious covenant that will endure through generations.*

Genesis — Chapter 23 — KJV
1

And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.

Simply PutSarah’s age, 127 years (Hebrew shanah H3665), is the tally of every day God granted her. In a world that measures life by years, this number reminds us that God’s promises bring life beyond our expectations.
2

And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

Simply PutAbraham mourned (sâq H6073) and wept for his beloved Sarah, feeling the raw pain of loss. Yet his tears also show a deep trust that God’s covenant extends beyond death.
3

And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,

Simply PutAbraham stands up (qâma H7120) from before his dead, ready to act. Even in sorrow, he moves forward in faith.
4

I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

Simply PutHe calls himself a stranger and sojourner (ger H6667), acknowledging his temporary status. Even the wandering heart asks for a sacred place to lay its loved one down.
5

And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,

Simply PutThe children of Heth respond, showing respect for Abraham’s grief and his faith.
6

Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.

Simply PutThe Hethites call Abraham a mighty prince (nagash H3082), recognizing his leadership among them. Their respect shows that God often places His people in foreign cultures, giving them honor.
7

And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.

Simply PutAbraham bows (shachath H2588) to the people of the land, a humble gesture that acknowledges he does not own the ground.
8

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,

Simply PutHe asks for permission to bury his dead out of sight, seeking a private place for his sorrow.
9

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.

Simply PutAbraham offers to pay the full price (melo H529) for the cave, showing his desire to honor the customs while securing God’s promised place.
10

And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,

Simply PutEphron speaks before all the people at the city gate, a public setting that adds weight to the agreement.
11

Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.

Simply PutEphron offers the field and cave publicly, showing his willingness to give Abraham a permanent burial site.
12

And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.

Simply PutAbraham bows down again, humbled before the people of the land.
13

And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.

Simply PutHe insists on paying for the field, demonstrating his respect for the people’s customs.
14

And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,

Simply PutEphron responds, confirming the transaction is fair and binding.
15

My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

Simply PutHe declares the land’s worth at four hundred shekels, emphasizing that there is no dispute left between them.
16

And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

Simply PutAbraham pays the agreed price (current money, qîp H5933), finalizing the purchase.
17

And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure

Simply PutThe field and cave, with all its boundaries, are made sure (bāq H1002) to Abraham as a lasting possession.
18

Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

Simply PutThe transaction stands before all the children of Heth, at the city gate.
19

And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.

Simply PutAbraham buries Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, securing a permanent resting place for his loved one.
20

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.

Simply PutThe field and cave become Abraham’s possession, a lasting testament of God’s promise.
PreviousGenesis 22

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✦ Cross-References

Genesis 24:1Abraham's commissioning of a servant to find a wife for Isaac follows the burial of Sarah, showing the transition from mourning to continuation of God's covenant.
Genesis 25:20The verse noting Isaac's age at marriage provides a chronological anchor that confirms Sarah died when Isaac was twenty-three, linking the narrative of her death to his later life.
Genesis 31:47Jacob's purchase of a field at Mizpah mirrors Abraham's transaction in Hebron, both serving as legal witnesses to land ownership and covenantal promises.
Hebrews 11:11This New Testament passage highlights Sarah's faith at an advanced age, illuminating the significance of her longevity and death as recorded in Genesis 23.

Reflect

What place have you set aside—physically, digitally, or emotionally—to honor the memory of those you love, and how does that choice reflect your hopes for lasting connection?