King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The field and its cave had been purchased by Avraham from the sons of Het as a burial-site which would belong to him.
Berean Standard Bible:
So the field and its cave were deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.
American Standard Version:
And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place by the children of Heth.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the field{H7704}, and the cave{H4631} that is therein, were made sure{H6965} unto Abraham{H85} for a possession{H272} of a buryingplace{H6913} by the sons{H1121} of Heth{H2845}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ruth 4:7
- Now this [was the manner] in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave [it] to his neighbour: and this [was] a testimony in Israel.
Ruth 4:10
- Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye [are] witnesses this day.
Jeremiah 32:10
- And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed [it], and took witnesses, and weighed [him] the money in the balances.
Jeremiah 32:14
- Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
Genesis 50:24
- And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Genesis 50:25
- And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.
Genesis 49:31
- There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 23:20
Genesis 23:20 is a part of the narrative in the Book of Genesis that deals with the death of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. The verse specifically describes the transaction in which Abraham purchases a field and a cave from the Hittites, also known as the sons of Heth, to serve as a burial site for his wife. This event is significant for several reasons:
1. **Historical Context**: The story takes place in the land of Canaan, which God had promised to Abraham and his descendants. The purchase of the cave at Machpelah, located near modern-day Hebron, is the first recorded instance of Abraham owning a portion of this promised land. It serves as a tangible claim to the land that would later become central to the identity of the Israelite nation.
2. **Legal and Cultural Insight**: The interaction between Abraham and the Hittites reveals the customs and legal practices of land transactions in the ancient Near East. Abraham, a sojourner, approaches the local inhabitants to negotiate the purchase rather than taking the land by force or receiving it as a gift, demonstrating respect for the customs and people of the land.
3. **Thematic Significance**: The verse underscores themes of faith and promise. Despite Sarah's death, Abraham's actions reflect his trust in God's promise that his descendants would inherit the land. The cave becomes not just a tomb for Sarah but a symbol of hope and continuity for future generations.
4. **Spiritual Significance**: The purchase of the burial site is also seen as an act of faith by Abraham, as he sets aside a permanent resting place for his family, affirming his belief in the resurrection and the eternal promises of God.
5. **Literary Function**: This event marks a transition in the narrative from the life of Sarah to the next generation, particularly focusing on the need to secure a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son. The establishment of a family burial place sets the stage for further narrative developments concerning the continuity of Abraham's lineage.
In summary, Genesis 23:20 captures a pivotal moment where Abraham secures a burial place for his family, demonstrating his commitment to the land of Canaan and his enduring faith in God's covenantal promises. This transaction is both a historical record of ancient land acquisition and a narrative device that moves the story forward, emphasizing themes of faith, legacy, and the fulfillment of divine promises.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7704
There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂדֶה
Transliteration: sâdeh
Pronunciation: saw-deh'
Description: or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat); country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. - Strong's Number: H4631
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְעָרָה
Transliteration: mᵉʻârâh
Pronunciation: meh-aw-raw'
Description: from עוּר; a cavern (as dark); cave, den, hole. - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H85
There are 1159 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְרָהָם
Transliteration: ʼAbrâhâm
Pronunciation: ab-raw-hawm'
Description: contracted from אָב and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram; Abraham. - Strong's Number: H272
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲחֻזָּה
Transliteration: ʼăchuzzâh
Pronunciation: akh-ooz-zaw'
Description: feminine passive participle from אָחַז; something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land); possession. - Strong's Number: H6913
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶבֶר
Transliteration: qeber
Pronunciation: keh'-ber
Description: or (feminine) קִבְרָה; from קָבַר; a sepulchre; burying place, grave, sepulchre. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H2845
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵת
Transliteration: Chêth
Pronunciation: khayth
Description: from חָתַת; terror; Cheth, an aboriginal Canaanite; Heth.