Genesis 23:19

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.

And after {H310} this {H3651}, Abraham {H85} buried {H6912} Sarah {H8283} his wife {H802} in the cave {H4631} of the field {H7704} of Machpelah {H4375} before {H6440} Mamre {H4471}: the same is Hebron {H2275} in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}.

Then Avraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Makhpelah, by Mamre, also known as Hevron, in the land of Kena'an

After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

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.

Commentary

Genesis 23:19 records a pivotal moment in the life of Abraham: the burial of his beloved wife, Sarah. This verse concludes the narrative of Sarah's death and Abraham's diligent efforts to secure a proper burial place for her.

Context

Following Sarah's death at the age of 127 (Genesis 23:1), Abraham initiated negotiations with the Hittites, the local inhabitants of the land, to purchase a burial plot. The entire chapter (Genesis 23) details Abraham's respectful and determined acquisition of the field of Machpelah and its cave from Ephron the Hittite, for a significant sum of 400 shekels of silver (Genesis 23:16). This act marks the first time Abraham legally owns any land in Canaan, the very land God had promised to him and his descendants (Genesis 12:7).

The location is precisely identified: the "cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre," which is further clarified as "Hebron in the land of Canaan." Hebron was a significant city in the ancient Near East, known as Kirjath-arba at the time of Abraham, and would later become a crucial center in Israelite history, even serving as King David's first capital.

Key Themes

  • Faith and Foresight: Abraham's insistence on owning a burial plot, rather than accepting it as a gift, demonstrates his deep faith in God's promise of the land. He was laying a physical claim, albeit small, to the future inheritance of his descendants. This act was a tangible step in the covenant God made with Abraham.
  • Grief and Respect: The narrative highlights Abraham's genuine sorrow over Sarah's passing and his commitment to providing a dignified resting place for her. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern cultural value placed on proper burial.
  • First Foothold in the Promised Land: While the full inheritance of the land was still generations away, the purchase of Machpelah represented a tangible, permanent stake in Canaan. It became the ancestral burial place for Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah (Genesis 49:30, Genesis 50:13).

Linguistic Insights

The name "Machpelah" (Hebrew: Maḵpēlāh) is often interpreted to mean "double" or "portion." This could refer to the cave having two chambers, or perhaps to the field being a "doubled" portion of land. "Hebron" (Hebrew: Ḥeḇrōn) itself is derived from a root meaning "association" or "joining," possibly alluding to its role as a place of alliance or confederacy.

Practical Application

Genesis 23:19 reminds us of several enduring truths:

  • The Reality of Loss: Even great figures of faith experience profound grief. The Bible does not shy away from depicting the pain of human loss and the importance of a time to mourn.
  • Patience in Promises: God's promises often unfold in unexpected ways and over long periods. Abraham received a burial plot before a kingdom, a testament to God's gradual fulfillment of His word. We are called to exercise patience and faith as we await the full realization of divine promises in our lives.
  • Dignity in Death: The care Abraham took for Sarah's burial underscores the biblical value of respecting the deceased and providing a proper farewell.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 3:19 (2 votes)

    In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Genesis 25:9 (2 votes)

    And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which [is] before Mamre;

  • Genesis 25:10 (2 votes)

    The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

  • Genesis 49:29 (2 votes)

    And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that [is] in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

  • Genesis 49:32 (2 votes)

    The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was] from the children of Heth.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:5 (2 votes)

    Also [when] they shall be afraid of [that which is] high, and fears [shall be] in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

  • Ecclesiastes 6:3 (2 votes)

    If a man beget an hundred [children], and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also [that] he have no burial; I say, [that] an untimely birth [is] better than he.