Genesis 23:4

KJV

I [am] a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am a stranger {H1616} and a sojourner {H8453} with you: give {H5414} me a possession {H272} of a buryingplace {H6913} with you, that I may bury {H6912} my dead {H4191} out of my sight {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I am a foreigner living as an alien with you; let me have a burial site with you, so that I can bury my dead wife.

Berean Standard Bible

“I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.”

American Standard Version

I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 23:4 captures Abraham's humble yet profound request to the Hittites for a burial plot for his beloved wife, Sarah. Identifying himself as "a stranger and a sojourner," Abraham seeks to purchase a permanent resting place, marking the first tangible acquisition of land by the patriarch in the Promised Land—a poignant and significant step towards the eventual fulfillment of God's overarching covenant concerning the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the profoundly sorrowful account of Sarah's death at the remarkable age of 127 in Kiriath-arba (Hebron), a detail unique to her in the biblical narrative, emphasizing her significance. Abraham, deeply grieving, enters into negotiations with the local inhabitants, the sons of Heth (Hittites). His request for a burial place is not a demand based on divine promise, but a humble plea from a temporary resident seeking a favor. This interaction sets the stage for the acquisition of the Cave of Machpelah, a pivotal moment that underscores Abraham's faith in God's future land promise, even as he navigates the immediate, practical realities of life and death in a foreign land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, burial practices were deeply significant, reflecting respect for the deceased and familial continuity. Family tombs were common, and securing a proper burial place was a crucial act of piety and honor. Abraham, though a wealthy and influential patriarch, was a nomadic chieftain without a permanent landholding in Canaan. The Hittites, a prominent people group in the region, were known for their legalistic and transactional culture, making Abraham's negotiation for land a formal and binding agreement. His self-identification as a "stranger and a sojourner" accurately reflects his legal and social status as a resident alien, dependent on the goodwill of the local populace for such a transaction, despite God's prior declaration that the land would be his descendants'.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 23:4 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **the sojourner's identity**, portraying Abraham as a pilgrim living by faith in a land not yet fully possessed, a motif that resonates throughout the lives of the patriarchs (e.g., [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God Calls Abraham")). The verse also underscores the theme of **promise and incremental fulfillment**, demonstrating that God's sweeping promises (like the land promise in [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham")) often unfold gradually, requiring patient faith and practical steps. Furthermore, it touches upon the **dignity of human life and death**, emphasizing the cultural and personal importance of a proper burial, even for those living as transients.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In Genesis 23:4, Abraham's carefully chosen words reveal both his immediate, practical need and his unique, faith-driven status:

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stranger (Hebrew, _gêr'_):** From the root meaning "to sojourn," this term properly refers to a guest or, by implication, a foreigner or resident alien. It denotes someone residing in a land not their own, often under the protection of the local inhabitants, but without full rights of citizenship or land ownership. Abraham uses this to emphasize his non-native status and his reliance on the goodwill of the Hittites.
* **sojourner (Hebrew, _tôwshâb'_):** This word, derived from a verb meaning "to dwell," describes a temporary dweller or resident alien, distinguished from a native citizen. While similar to *gêr*, *tôwshâb* often implies a more temporary or transient residency. Together, *gêr* and *tôwshâb* powerfully convey Abraham's status as one who is living in the land by permission, not by inherent right, despite God's promise.
* **possession (Hebrew, _ʼăchuzzâh'_):** This feminine passive participle means "something seized" or "a holding," specifically referring to a permanent, inheritable landholding. Abraham's request for an *ʼăchuzzâh* for a burial place is highly significant; it is the first time he seeks to acquire a permanent, inheritable piece of the Promised Land, foreshadowing the future, full inheritance by his descendants.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I [am] a stranger and a sojourner with you:"** Abraham humbly yet clearly states his status. He acknowledges that he is not a native inhabitant with inherent rights to the land but rather a temporary resident living among them. This declaration sets the tone for his request, appealing to their hospitality and legal customs rather than asserting any divine claim. It also subtly highlights the paradox of his situation: he is in the land promised to his descendants, yet he possesses no part of it.
* **"give me a possession of a buryingplace with you,"** This is the core of Abraham's urgent plea. He is not asking for a temporary plot but a permanent "possession" (Hebrew: *achuzzah*), indicating his desire for an inheritable piece of land that would serve as a perpetual family burial ground. The phrase "with you" signifies his willingness to integrate into their legal system and purchase the land legitimately, rather than simply claiming it.
* **"that I may bury my dead out of my sight."** This clause expresses the immediate and deeply personal motivation behind Abraham's request. The presence of Sarah's deceased body would have been a constant reminder of his loss and a practical impediment. Proper burial was essential for both cultural honor and personal closure, allowing the bereaved to move past the immediate physical presence of death.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. **Irony** is present in Abraham's declaration: he, the recipient of God's promise of the entire land, must humble himself as a "stranger and sojourner" to purchase a mere burial plot. This highlights the **contrast** between the vastness of God's promise and the incremental, often challenging, reality of its fulfillment. The repetition of the concept of temporary dwelling through the terms "stranger" (*gêr*) and "sojourner" (*tôwshâb*) serves as a form of **emphasis**, underscoring Abraham's unique status and the faith required to live in anticipation of a future inheritance. Finally, the phrase "that I may bury my dead out of my sight" evokes **pathos**, conveying Abraham's deep grief and urgent need for closure, making his request relatable and human.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Abraham's poignant declaration in Genesis 23:4 establishes a foundational biblical theme: the identity of the believer as a sojourner. Despite being the heir to God's promise of the land, Abraham lives as a temporary resident, demonstrating a faith that looks beyond immediate possession to a future, eternal inheritance. This small, purchased plot of land becomes a tangible down payment, a concrete assurance that God's greater land promise will indeed be fulfilled, even if incrementally. It also underscores the profound human need for dignity in death and the importance of proper burial.

* [Hebrews 11:9-10](/hebrews/11-9-10 "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as Sojourners Looking for a City")
* [1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "Believers as Strangers and Pilgrims")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "The Definition of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abraham's humble plea in Genesis 23:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. His self-identification as a "stranger and a sojourner" serves as a timeless paradigm for how we, too, should view our earthly existence. We are called to live with a spiritual detachment from the transient allure of this world, recognizing that our ultimate citizenship and eternal home reside in heaven with Christ (as seen in [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Our Citizenship is in Heaven")). Abraham's journey reminds us that God's promises, while certain, often unfold incrementally, demanding patient faith, perseverance, and a willingness to take practical steps even when the full scope of God's plan remains veiled. Furthermore, his earnest desire to provide a dignified resting place for Sarah underscores the inherent value of human life, even in death, and the importance of honoring those who have passed, offering comfort and closure to the grieving.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do you identify as a "stranger and a sojourner" in the world today, and how does this perspective shape your priorities and pursuits?**
* **How does Abraham's patient faith in awaiting the full inheritance of the land encourage you in areas where God's promises in your life are unfolding incrementally?**
* **What does Abraham's urgent desire for a proper burial place for Sarah teach us about the dignity of human life and the importance of honoring the deceased?**
* **How does the concept of a "down payment" on a future promise, as seen in Abraham's land purchase, apply to your understanding of God's work in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why does Abraham, the promised heir, have to buy land in the Promised Land?**

Answer: While God had unequivocally promised Abraham and his descendants the entire land of Canaan (as detailed in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham") and [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's Covenant with Abraham")), this promise was for future, full possession by his offspring, not immediate personal ownership for Abraham himself. Throughout his life, Abraham lived as a nomadic sojourner, owning no personal property in the land. His purchase of the Cave of Machpelah for Sarah's burial was an immediate, practical necessity driven by grief and cultural custom. However, this transaction was profoundly symbolic: it marked the very first tangible possession of land by the patriarch in Canaan, serving as a symbolic "down payment" and a concrete, legally recognized step towards the eventual, full inheritance by his descendants. This illustrates the incremental and often patient nature of God's fulfillment of His grand promises, requiring faith to trust in His timing and methods.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abraham's poignant self-identification as a "stranger and a sojourner" in the very land promised to him profoundly foreshadows the earthly life and mission of Jesus Christ. Though the Creator and rightful King of all, Jesus likewise lived without a permanent earthly dwelling, famously declaring that "the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Jesus Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")). He was a divine sojourner, dwelling among humanity not as one seeking earthly possessions, but as one fulfilling a heavenly mission. More significantly, Abraham's longing for a permanent resting place and his looking for "a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "The Heavenly City Abraham Sought")) finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Through His sacrificial death on the cross and glorious resurrection, Jesus secured for all believers not merely a temporary burial plot, but an eternal inheritance and resurrection life in the true Promised Land—the New Jerusalem, God's eternal kingdom (as promised in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "The New Heaven and New Earth")). Abraham's purchase of a burial plot, the first piece of the promised land, thus prefigures Christ's own death and burial, which was the ultimate securing of our eternal, heavenly possession.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:9

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

1 Chronicles 29:15

For we [are] strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.

Genesis 17:8

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Psalms 119:19

¶ I [am] a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

Acts 7:5

And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not [so much as] to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.

Hebrews 11:13

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hebrews 11:16

But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.