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Genesis 23

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 23 of 50

1 And the life of Sarah was a hundred and twenty-seven years, the years of the life of Sarah.

2 And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba (The City of Arba), it is Hebron, in the land of Canaan. And Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,

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Chapter Summary

1 The age and death of Sarah. 3 The purchase of Machpelah, 19 where Sarah was buried.

Key Hebrew Words

קָבַר bury H6912 · TWOT 1984
אֲחֻזָּה burial possession H272 · TWOT 64a
מְעָרָה cave H4631 · TWOT 1704a
שָׂדֶה field H7704 · TWOT 2236a
כֶּסֶף silver H3701 · TWOT 1015a
גֵּר sojourner, stranger H1616 · TWOT 330a

People & Context

Abraham

Mourns Sarah and buys the cave of Machpelah from the sons of Heth as a burial possession

Sarah

Dies at 127 years in Kirjath-arba (Hebron) and is buried in the cave of Machpelah

Ephron

Hittite son of Zohar who owns the field and cave of Machpelah and sells it to Abraham for 400 shekels

Sons of Heth

The Hittite people of the land who honor Abraham as a prince and witness the purchase at the city gate

Timeline

Sarah's Death and Burial

Sarah dies at 127 years old in Kirjath-arba (Hebron) in Canaan. Abraham mourns and weeps for her. He approaches the sons of Heth to buy a burial place.

Genesis 23:1-4
Purchase of Machpelah

The sons of Heth offer Abraham the best of their burying places. Abraham insists on buying the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite for full silver. Ephron initially offers it for free, but Abraham insists on payment. Abraham weighs out 400 shekels of silver, and the field with the cave and all its trees is deeded to him publicly. Abraham buries Sarah there.

Genesis 23:5-20

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