Genesis 49:30

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the cave {H4631} that is in the field {H7704} of Machpelah {H4375}, which is before {H6440} Mamre {H4471}, in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, which Abraham {H85} bought {H7069} with the field {H7704} of Ephron {H6085} the Hittite {H2850} for a possession {H272} of a buryingplace {H6913}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the cave in the field of Makhpelah, by Mamre, in the land of Kena'an, which Avraham bought together with the field from 'Efron the Hitti as a burial-place belonging to him -

Berean Standard Bible

The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.

American Standard Version

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 from Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a burying-place.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 49:30 records Jacob's precise instructions for his burial in the ancestral Cave of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan. This directive, given from his deathbed in Egypt, underscores his unwavering faith in God's covenant promises regarding the land and his family's enduring legacy within it, emphasizing the significance of Abraham's original purchase of this specific burial site as a tangible down payment on the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jacob's final, prophetic blessings and instructions to his twelve sons, delivered from his deathbed in Egypt (Genesis 49). Having spent his last seventeen years under Joseph's care in Goshen, Jacob's thoughts turn to his ultimate resting place. His command in [Genesis 49:29](/genesis/49-29 "Jacob's dying wish for burial") sets the immediate stage, where he gathers his sons and charges them to bury him with his fathers. Verse 30 then provides the crucial details of the location, specifically naming the Cave of Machpelah and recalling its historical acquisition by Abraham, thereby establishing a profound connection to the patriarchal covenant and the Promised Land, even as the family resides outside of it.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, burial practices were deeply significant, reflecting beliefs about lineage, land ownership, and the afterlife. Family tombs served as powerful symbols of continuity and identity. The purchase of the Cave of Machpelah by Abraham from Ephron the Hittite, detailed in [Genesis 23](/genesis/23 "Abraham's Purchase of Machpelah"), was a legally binding transaction, ensuring undisputed ownership in a foreign land. This act was not merely about securing a burial plot but about establishing a permanent, legal foothold in the land God had promised. Jacob's insistence on burial there, rather than in Egypt where he died, was a profound cultural and theological statement, rejecting the land of his sojourn in favor of the land of promise.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 49:30 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, as Jacob's desire to be buried in Canaan demonstrates his unwavering belief in God's promise of the land to Abraham's descendants, despite their current residence in Egypt (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's promise of land to Abraham")). The verse also emphasizes **Ancestral Continuity and Legacy**, as the Cave of Machpelah was already the burial site for Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah (as noted in [Genesis 49:31](/genesis/49-31 "Jacob's instructions for burial")), signifying the unbroken line of the covenant people. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of the **Promised Land as Inheritance**, with Machpelah serving as the first tangible, legally acquired piece of that inheritance, a "down payment" on the future possession of the entire land by Israel (cf. [Genesis 15:13-14](/genesis/15-13 "Prophecy of Israel's sojourn in Egypt")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **possession (Hebrew, _ʼăchuzzâh'_):** From H272, this feminine passive participle signifies "something seized," specifically referring to a possession, often of land. In Genesis 49:30, it emphasizes that Abraham's acquisition of the Cave of Machpelah was a legitimate, permanent ownership, not merely a temporary lease or gift. This "possession" was the first tangible piece of the Promised Land that the patriarchs truly owned, serving as a legal and symbolic anchor for the covenant.
* **bought (Hebrew, _qânâh'_):** From H7069, this primitive root means "to erect" or "create," but by extension, "to procure, especially by purchase." The use of "bought" highlights the legal and economic reality of Abraham's transaction with Ephron the Hittite. It was a full, undisputed purchase, ensuring an unchallengeable claim to the land. This act of "buying" underscores the value and permanence of the acquisition, setting a precedent for future Israelite land claims.
* **buryingplace (Hebrew, _qeber'_):** From H6913, this noun refers to a "sepulchre" or "grave." Its inclusion in the verse explicitly states the purpose of Abraham's purchase and Jacob's desired interment. More than just a practical necessity, a "buryingplace" for the patriarchs in the Promised Land was a profound act of faith, symbolizing their conviction that God's covenant promises, including the land, would ultimately be fulfilled. It was a place where the covenant family would rest together, awaiting the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the cave that [is] in the field of Machpelah":** This phrase precisely identifies the specific location of the desired burial site. The "cave" (Hebrew, _mᵉʻârâh_) within the "field" (Hebrew, _sâdeh_) of Machpelah (Hebrew, _Makpêlâh_) points to a well-known and historically significant landmark. The name Machpelah, possibly meaning "double" or "portion," signifies its unique and sacred status as the ancestral tomb.
* **"which [is] before Mamre, in the land of Canaan":** This further pinpoints the geographical context, placing Machpelah near Mamre (Hebrew, _Mamrêʼ_), a significant Amorite settlement near Hebron, and firmly within the "land of Canaan" (Hebrew, _Kᵉnaʻan_). Jacob's insistence on burial here, rather than in Egypt, powerfully reinforces his spiritual and covenantal connection to the Promised Land, even from afar.
* **"which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace":** This crucial clause recalls the original transaction detailed in [Genesis 23](/genesis/23 "Abraham's purchase of Machpelah"). It emphasizes that Abraham (Hebrew, _ʼAbrâhâm_) "bought" (Hebrew, _qânâh_) the "field" (Hebrew, _sâdeh_) from Ephron the Hittite (Hebrew, _Chittîy_) as a permanent "possession" (Hebrew, _ʼăchuzzâh_) for a "buryingplace" (Hebrew, _qeber_). This legal acquisition was the first tangible piece of the Promised Land acquired by the patriarchs, serving as a foundational act of faith and a secure, undisputed claim to a future inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** of geographical markers ("field of Machpelah," "before Mamre," "land of Canaan") serves to firmly anchor the narrative in a specific, divinely promised location, emphasizing the importance of the land. The phrase "which Abraham bought" acts as a form of **Anamnesis**, a recalling of past events, specifically the detailed account in [Genesis 23](/genesis/23 "Abraham's purchase of Machpelah"), which imbues the present command with historical weight and covenantal significance. Furthermore, the entire directive functions as **Symbolism**, where Jacob's physical burial choice symbolizes his spiritual conviction and the enduring hope of the patriarchal line in God's covenant promises, even when the family is in exile. His body, though dead, becomes a testament to the living promise of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jacob's dying wish to be buried in the Cave of Machpelah is a profound theological statement, deeply rooted in the covenant God made with Abraham. It demonstrates his unwavering faith in the divine promise of the land of Canaan as the inheritance for his descendants, even though his family currently resided in Egypt. This act of faith transcends his immediate circumstances, looking forward to God's ultimate fulfillment of His word, serving as a powerful testament to the enduring nature of God's promises across generations.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")
* [Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "Faith of the Patriarchs")
* [Acts 7:16](/acts/7-16 "Stephen's account of Jacob's burial")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 49:30 offers a powerful lesson in steadfast faith and the enduring nature of God's promises. Jacob, at the end of his life, despite having lived years in Egypt, fixed his hope not on his present comfort but on God's future fulfillment of the covenant. His insistence on burial in Machpelah reminds us that our ultimate hope should be anchored in God's word, even when circumstances seem contrary to His promises. It challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, trusting that God's plans will ultimately prevail, and to make choices that reflect our belief in His faithfulness. This passage also underscores the importance of spiritual legacy and familial continuity in faith, encouraging us to honor and learn from the spiritual heritage passed down through generations, recognizing that we are part of a larger story of God's redemptive work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does Jacob's dying wish reflect a deep, enduring faith in God's promises, even when their full realization seems distant?**
* **How does the concept of a "possession of a buryingplace" in the Promised Land speak to our own understanding of spiritual inheritance and future hope?**
* **What choices are we making today that demonstrate our trust in God's long-term plans, even if they require a present act of faith or sacrifice?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jacob so insistent on being buried in Canaan rather than Egypt?**

Answer: Jacob's insistence on being buried in Canaan, specifically in the Cave of Machpelah, was a powerful act of faith and a symbolic declaration. It demonstrated his profound belief in God's covenant promise that the land of Canaan would be the eternal inheritance of his descendants (see [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's promise of land to Abraham")). By choosing to be interred there, he was not only claiming his portion of the Promised Land but also expressing his conviction that his descendants would one day return to inhabit it, despite their current sojourn in Egypt. This act served as a prophetic sign of Israel's future return.

**Who else was buried in the Cave of Machpelah?**

Answer: The Cave of Machpelah served as the sacred burial site for the patriarchal family, signifying their unity in life and death within the covenant. Those interred there include Sarah ([Genesis 23:19](/genesis/23-19 "Sarah's burial in Machpelah")), Abraham ([Genesis 25:9-10](/genesis/25-9 "Abraham's burial in Machpelah")), Isaac ([Genesis 35:29](/genesis/35-29 "Isaac's burial in Machpelah")), Rebekah ([Genesis 49:31](/genesis/49-31 "Rebekah's burial in Machpelah")), Leah ([Genesis 49:31](/genesis/49-31 "Leah's burial in Machpelah")), and finally, Jacob himself ([Genesis 50:13](/genesis/50-13 "Jacob's burial in Machpelah")). This collective burial underscores the continuity of the covenant line.

**What is the significance of Abraham having *bought* the field and cave?**

Answer: The fact that Abraham bought the field and cave from Ephron the Hittite ([Genesis 23:16-20](/genesis/23-16 "Abraham's purchase of Machpelah")) is profoundly significant. It established a legal, undisputed, and permanent claim to a piece of the Promised Land. This was not a gift or a temporary dwelling, but a full, legitimate transaction at market value, ensuring the patriarchs' ownership was beyond dispute. This act symbolized the first tangible fulfillment of God's promise of land to Abraham, serving as a "down payment" and a testament to the future, complete inheritance of his descendants. It rooted the covenant physically in the land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's profound longing for burial in the purchased Cave of Machpelah in the Promised Land serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ. While Jacob's hope was tied to an earthly inheritance and a physical resting place, believers in Christ anticipate a far greater, heavenly inheritance and a spiritual dwelling. Christ's death and resurrection secure for us not merely a plot of land, but eternal life and a "better country—a heavenly one" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "The heavenly country")). His own burial and subsequent glorious resurrection provide the ultimate hope for our own bodily resurrection, transforming the earthly desire for a secure burying place into the glorious promise of eternal life and an incorruptible inheritance in Him. He is the true "firstfruits" of God's promises ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "Christ, the firstfruits of resurrection")), guaranteeing that just as He rose, so too will all who are in Him, inheriting not a physical plot, but the fullness of God's eternal kingdom through His finished work on the cross ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Our inheritance in Christ")).

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

Genesis 23:16

¶ And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current [money] with the merchant.

Genesis 23:18

Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

Genesis 23:8

And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,

Genesis 23:9

That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which [is] in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.

Genesis 23:20

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.