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Genesis 23 Commentary

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Genesis 23:1-4

Sarah dies at the age of 127 years. Abraham mourns for his wife Sarah and then begins to look for a burial site for her.

The sons of Heth offer Abraham the choice of their gravesites. Abraham asks them to speak to Ephron about the cave at Machpelah which he owns. Abraham offers to pay full price for this to be the burial site.

Genesis 23:10-11

Ephron heard Abraham’s offer and replies that he is willing to give the land, including the cave, to Abraham for free.

Genesis 23:12-16

Abraham again offers to pay for the land and cave. Ephron says the land was worth 400 shekels of silver. So, Abraham purchases the land and cave for that amount.

Genesis 23:17-20

hron’s field and cave are deeded over to Abraham and become his property. This is witnessed by the sons of Heth. Abraham buries Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah.

Additional Resources

Book Theme

Genesis is a book about many beginnings. The beginnings of the world, the human race, sin and redemption, and the nation of Israel to name a few. In fact, the word Genesis from the Greek means “origin,” and in Hebrew it means “beginning.” The book of Genesis contains the events of the flood, tower of Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the lives of the Patriarchs.

In the beginning, God created everything by simply speaking, “God said…and it was so” (Genesis 1:6-7, 9, 11, 14-15). This is not a scientific technical account of creation, but it shows a loving God creating a universe and mankind to rule it and fellowship with God. Man was formed especially from the ground and given the breath of life from God. The woman was made from the man’s rib (Genesis 2:7).

After man fell into sin, things began to spin out of control quickly. Cain murdered his brother Abel and the human race became so violent that God decided to destroy them all with a flood. God saved one righteous man (Noah) and his family in an ark filled with animals to deliver the human race from extinction. God chose Abraham and blessed a special group of people named “Israel.” God began to unfold a plan of salvation from a coming famine by sending Joseph to rule in Egypt. The failure of man in every circumstance is met by the salvation of God. We fail, but the good news is God saves us.

Chapter Context

Abraham’s wife Sarah dies. Abraham negotiates the purchase of land to bury his wife. He buys a field and cave in Machpelah, near Hebron, from Ephron the Hittite in the presence of many witnesses. Even though Abraham has been promised the land of Canaan by God, he does not legally own any part of it until this chapter. After purchasing the property, Abraham buries Sarah in the cave of Machpelah.