Genesis 23:3

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

And Abraham {H85} stood up {H6965} from before {H6440} his dead {H4191}, and spake {H1696} unto the sons {H1121} of Heth {H2845}, saying {H559},

Then he got up from his dead one and said to the sons of Het,

Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites,

And Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spake unto the children of Heth, saying,

Commentary

Genesis 23:3 marks a pivotal moment in Abraham's life immediately following the death of his beloved wife, Sarah. The verse succinctly describes Abraham's transition from private mourning to public action, initiating the process of securing a burial place for her.

Context

This verse directly follows the account of Sarah's death at Kirjath-arba (Hebron). Abraham had been in a posture of deep grief, weeping for his wife. His act of "standing up from before his dead" signifies a necessary shift from personal sorrow to the practical responsibilities of a patriarch. He then addresses the "sons of Heth," who were the local inhabitants of the land where Abraham, despite God's promises, was still a sojourner. This interaction sets the stage for the negotiation to purchase the Cave of Machpelah, which would become the first tangible piece of the promised land that Abraham would formally acquire.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Grief and Respect: Abraham's actions demonstrate a profound respect for the deceased and the cultural necessity of providing a proper burial, even amidst deep personal sorrow. It shows the transition from raw grief to responsible action.
  • Abraham's Faith and Sojourning: Though God had promised Abraham all the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:15), he did not yet own any of it. His need to purchase a burial plot underscores his status as a stranger in the land. Yet, this act of purchase is a step of faith, laying claim to a small piece of the promised inheritance.
  • Cultural Protocol: The immediate address to the "sons of Heth" highlights the importance of formal negotiation and adherence to local customs for land transactions in the ancient Near East.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stood up from before his dead" is significant. It implies Abraham had been in a posture of profound sorrow, likely prostrate or seated on the ground in mourning, as was customary. His action of standing up marks a resolute decision to move past the immediate expression of grief to engage with the practical duties required for Sarah's burial. It's a powerful visual of moving from lament to leadership, demonstrating a patriarch's responsibility even in profound personal loss.

Practical Application

Genesis 23:3 offers several insights for believers today:

  • It reminds us that grief is a natural human experience, even for people of great faith. It's important to allow time for sorrow.
  • Even in times of profound loss, there are responsibilities that must be faced. Abraham models moving from personal lament to necessary action.
  • The verse subtly reinforces the theme of God's promises, even when their full realization seems distant. Abraham, a "stranger" in the land, takes a concrete step towards securing a permanent resting place, foreshadowing the ultimate inheritance of the land. This act of securing a burial site is a tangible expression of his belief in the future possession of the land as detailed later in Genesis 23.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 10:15 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,

  • Genesis 23:5 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

  • 2 Samuel 23:39 (2 votes)

    Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

  • Genesis 27:46 (2 votes)

    And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these [which are] of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

  • Genesis 49:30 (2 votes)

    In the cave that [is] in the field of Machpelah, which [is] before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

  • Genesis 23:7 (2 votes)

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