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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Genesis 49:28–33. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. The summing up of the blessings of Jacob's sons, Gen 49:28. Though Reuben, Simeon, and Levi were put under the marks of their father's displeasure, yet he is said to bless them every one according to his blessing; for none of them were rejected as Esau was. Note, Whatever rebukes of God's word or providence we are under at any time, yet, as long as we have an interest in God's covenant, a place and a name among his people, and good hopes of a share in the heavenly Canaan, we must account ourselves blessed.
II.The solemn charge Jacob gave them concerning his burial, which is a repetition of what he had before given to Joseph.
See how he speaks of death, now that he is dying: I am to be gathered unto my people, Gen 49:29. Note, It is good to represent death to ourselves under the most desirable images, that the terror of it may be taken off. Though it separates us from our children and our people in this world, it gathers us to our fathers and to our people in the other world. Perhaps Jacob uses this expression concerning death as a reason why his sons should bury him in Canaan; for, says he, "I am to be gathered unto my people, my soul must go to the spirits of just men made perfect: and therefore bury me with my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, and their wives," Gen 49:31. Observe,
1.His heart was very much upon it, not so much from a natural affection to his native soil as from a principle of faith in the promise of God, that Canaan should be the inheritance of his seed in due time. Thus he would keep up in his sons a remembrance of the promised land, and not only would have their acquaintance with it renewed by a journey thither on that occasion, but their desire towards it and their expectation of it preserved.
2.He is very particular in describing the place both by the situation of it and by the purchase Abraham had made of it for a burying-place, Gen 49:30, Gen 49:32. He was afraid lest his sons, after seventeen years' sojourning in Egypt, had forgotten Canaan, and even the burying-place of their ancestors there, or lest the Canaanites should dispute his title to it; and therefore he specifies it thus largely, and the purchase of it, even when he lies a-dying, not only to prevent mistakes, but to show how mindful he was of that country. Note, It is, and should be, a great pleasure to dying saints to fix their thoughts upon the heavenly Canaan, and the rest they hope for there after death.
III.The death of Jacob, Gen 49:33.
When he had finished both his blessing and his charge (both which are included in the commanding of his sons), and so had finished his testimony, he addressed himself to his dying work.
1.He put himself into a posture for dying; having before seated himself upon the bed-side, to bless his sons (the spirit of prophecy bringing fresh oil to his expiring lamp, Dan 10:19), when that work was done, he gathered up his feet into the bed, that he might lie along, not only as one patiently submitting to the stroke, but as one cheerfully composing himself to rest, now that he was weary. I will lay me down, and sleep.
2.He freely resigned his spirit into the hand of God, the Father of spirits: He yielded up the ghost.
3.His separated soul went to the assembly of the souls of the faithful, which, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity: he was gathered to his people. Note, If God's people be our people, death will gather us to them.
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Summary
Genesis 49:32 functions as a crucial parenthetical clarification within Jacob's final prophetic blessings and instructions, specifically addressing the legal and historical basis for the patriarchs' claim to the Cave of Machpelah. This verse meticulously records that the field and the cave within it were legitimately acquired through purchase from the "children of Heth," thereby underscoring the deep, legally secured connection the patriarchal family held to the Promised Land and their unwavering faith in God's enduring covenant promises, even as Jacob prepares for his death and burial outside of Canaan.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is strategically placed immediately following Jacob's solemn and specific command to his sons concerning his burial. In Genesis 49:29-31, Jacob explicitly instructs his sons to bury him with his ancestors—Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah—in the Cave of Machpelah, which is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, facing Mamre in the land of Canaan. Genesis 49:32 then serves as an explanatory aside, a historical footnote that validates the legitimacy of this burial request. It interrupts the flow of Jacob's dying words to provide the foundational legal premise for the patriarchs' ownership of this specific plot of land, reinforcing the significance of the site before the narrative moves on to Jacob's death and burial.
Historical & Cultural Context
The mention of "the children of Heth" directly references the Hittites, a prominent ancient Near Eastern people group. During the patriarchal period, the Hittites (or Hethites) were established in various parts of Canaan, particularly around Hebron, where the Cave of Machpelah was located. The transaction described in this verse harks back to Abraham's purchase of the cave and field from Ephron the Hittite for 400 shekels of silver. This detail highlights the cultural norm of land acquisition through formal, public transactions, often involving witnesses and a clear statement of price, as recorded in Genesis 23:16-20. Such meticulous documentation of ownership was crucial in a society where land was the primary form of wealth and inheritance, and it provided a legal basis for future claims to the land.
Key Themes
Genesis 49:32 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it reinforces the theme of God's Covenant Promise of Land. Even though the patriarchs were sojourners and did not yet possess the entirety of Canaan, their insistence on burial in a purchased plot within it, as seen in Genesis 23 and reiterated here, underscores their unwavering faith in God's promise to give the land to their descendants. It also highlights the theme of Legitimate Inheritance and Ownership, emphasizing that the patriarchs' claim to the land was not based on conquest or squatting, but on a legally sanctioned transaction. This legal foundation would become critical as Israel later prepared to enter and inherit the land, as foretold in passages like Genesis 15:18-21. Finally, it subtly points to the Continuity of the Patriarchal Line and Faith, as Jacob, like his father and grandfather, desired to be laid to rest in the very land promised to them, demonstrating a profound, enduring hope in God's faithfulness.
Exposition and Analysis
Genesis 49:32 serves as a vital historical and legal clarification, ensuring the reader understands the legitimate and ancient claim to the burial site Jacob is requesting. This brief statement confirms the patriarchs' rightful ownership of the Cave of Machpelah, a tangible piece of the Promised Land.
Key Word Analysis
From the root qanah (to acquire, buy), this term specifically refers to "something bought," often property, but particularly livestock. In this context, it signifies an "acquisition" or "possession" obtained through a formal transaction. Its use here reinforces the legal and legitimate nature of Abraham's original acquisition of the field and cave, not as a gift or conquest, but as a paid-for possession, establishing an undeniable claim.
Derived from a root meaning "to be dark," this word denotes a "cavern," "den," or "hole." Here, it refers specifically to the Cave of Machpelah, which became the sacred burial site for the patriarchal family. The emphasis on its purchase, alongside the field, highlights its significance as a permanent, owned resting place within the promised territory, a physical anchor for the covenant people.
Meaning "terror" or "dread," Heth is the eponymous ancestor of the Hittites, an aboriginal Canaanite group. The phrase "children of Heth" refers to the Hittite people. Their mention here is crucial for historical accuracy, aligning with extrabiblical records of Hittite presence in Canaan during the patriarchal era. It authenticates the biblical narrative by grounding Abraham's transaction within the known cultural and demographic landscape of the time, emphasizing that the land was acquired from its indigenous inhabitants through a recognized legal process.
Verse Breakdown
"The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein"
This opening phrase immediately establishes the subject of the verse: the acquisition of a specific piece of real estate. The "field" and "cave" refer to the Field of Ephron and the Cave of Machpelah, respectively, near Mamre (Hebron). The phrasing emphasizes that both the land and the burial site within it were obtained through a formal "purchase," highlighting the legal basis of ownership rather than mere occupation or gift. This meticulous detail underscores the significance of the site as a legitimate possession of the patriarchal family.
"[was] from the children of Heth"
This concluding phrase identifies the original sellers of the property. "The children of Heth" refers to the Hittites, specifically Ephron, from whom Abraham bought the property in Genesis 23. By reiterating the source of the purchase, the verse solidifies the historical accuracy and legal validity of the transaction. It serves as a reminder that the patriarchs' claim to this foundational piece of the Promised Land was secured through a legitimate, publicly recognized agreement with the native inhabitants, underscoring their right to be buried there.
Literary Devices
Genesis 49:32 primarily employs Parenthetical Note and Historical Allusion. The verse functions as an explanatory aside, interrupting Jacob's direct instructions about his burial to provide crucial background information. This Parenthetical Note clarifies the legal standing of the Cave of Machpelah, ensuring the reader understands that the patriarchs' claim to this burial site was legitimate and well-established. Simultaneously, it uses Historical Allusion by directly referencing Abraham's original purchase of the field and cave from the children of Heth, as detailed in Genesis 23. This allusion serves to reinforce the continuity of the patriarchal narrative and the enduring significance of this specific plot of land as a tangible link to God's covenant promises. The brevity and factual nature of the verse also contribute to a sense of Verisimilitude, lending historical authenticity to the biblical account by grounding it in specific, verifiable details of land ownership and ethnic groups.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Genesis 49:32, though a brief historical note, carries profound theological weight, anchoring the patriarchal narrative in the tangible reality of God's covenant promises. The patriarchs' insistence on being buried in the Cave of Machpelah, a property legally purchased within the land of Canaan, speaks volumes about their unwavering faith in the divine promise of the land as an eternal inheritance. This act was not merely about securing a resting place, but about making a physical claim on the very ground God had sworn to give their descendants. It demonstrates a deep, eschatological hope, looking beyond their temporary sojourn in Egypt to the ultimate fulfillment of God's Word, a testament to their belief that God's promises transcend even death. This small detail powerfully illustrates the meticulous nature of God's plan and the human responsibility to act in faith upon His Word, even in seemingly mundane transactions.
Reflection and Application
Genesis 49:32, while seemingly a minor historical detail, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our spiritual heritage is rooted in a meticulously planned and faithfully executed divine narrative. Just as the patriarchs secured a tangible piece of the Promised Land through legitimate means, we are called to live with a deep, abiding trust in God's promises, knowing that our ultimate inheritance is secure in Christ. Their insistence on burial in Canaan, despite dying in Egypt, exemplifies a long-term, eternal perspective—a faith that looks beyond immediate circumstances to the certain fulfillment of God's Word. This verse encourages us to value our spiritual inheritance, understanding that God works through both grand miracles and mundane transactions to bring about His purposes. It challenges us to live lives that reflect a similar unwavering faith, making tangible claims on God's promises through our obedience and trust, even when the full realization seems distant. We are to hold fast to the hope that our "purchase" in Christ guarantees a future far grander than any earthly possession.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is this specific detail about the purchase included here, so late in Genesis?
This detail is included as a parenthetical clarification, strategically placed to reinforce the legal and historical legitimacy of Jacob's burial request. It reminds the reader that the Cave of Machpelah was not merely a convenient burial spot, but a legally acquired property, a tangible piece of the Promised Land that the patriarchs rightfully owned. This reinforces the theme of covenant fulfillment and the secure nature of their future inheritance, ensuring that Jacob's dying wish is understood within the context of an established, legitimate claim, as detailed in Genesis 23.
Who were the "children of Heth" mentioned in this verse?
The "children of Heth" refers to the Hittites, an ancient people group well-attested in both biblical and extrabiblical historical records. They were a significant power in the ancient Near East, with a presence in Canaan during the patriarchal period, particularly around Hebron where the Cave of Machpelah was located. Their inclusion here lends historical authenticity to the narrative, confirming the socio-cultural context of Abraham's original land purchase from Ephron the Hittite, as recounted in Genesis 23:7-18.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Genesis 49:32 focuses on the earthly inheritance and burial of the patriarchs, it subtly points to the greater spiritual inheritance secured in Christ. The patriarchs' meticulous claim to a physical plot of land in Canaan, acquired through purchase, foreshadows the believer's secure, eternal inheritance in the heavenly Canaan through Christ. Just as the Cave of Machpelah was a purchased possession, securing the patriarchs' place in the Promised Land even in death, Christ's atoning work on the cross constitutes the ultimate "purchase" that secures our spiritual inheritance and resurrection. His own burial and subsequent resurrection guarantee that those who are "in Christ" will ultimately inherit not just a land, but eternal life and a place in God's eternal kingdom, a fulfillment far grander than any earthly plot, as promised in Ephesians 1:11 and 1 Peter 1:4. The patriarchs' faith in a future earthly inheritance finds its ultimate and perfect realization in the believer's spiritual inheritance and the promise of resurrection life through the finished work of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.