Focused Passage

Genesis 23:1-20

Sarah Dies, Abraham Secures a Burial Place, and the Promise Takes Hold in the Land Through Faithful Patience

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1Now Sarah lived to be 127 years old.

2She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her.

3Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites,

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

5The Hittites replied to Abraham,

6“Listen to us, sir. You are God’s chosen one among us. Bury your dead in the finest of our tombs. None of us will withhold his tomb for burying your dead.”

7Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites.

8“If you are willing for me to bury my dead,” he said to them, “listen to me, and approach Ephron son of Zohar on my behalf

9to sell me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him; it is at the end of his field. Let him sell it to me in your presence for full price, so that I may have a burial site.”

10Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth. So in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city, Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham,

11“No, my lord. Listen to me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.”

12Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land

13and said to Ephron in their presence, “If you will please listen to me, I will pay you the price of the field. Accept it from me, so that I may bury my dead there.”

14Ephron answered Abraham,

15“Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

16Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants.

17So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over

18to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.

19After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

20So the field and its cave were deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Original words

Nowוַיִּהְיוּ֙H1961Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralSarahשָׂרָ֔הH8283Noun - proper - feminine singularlived to beחַיֵּ֣יH2416Noun - masculine plural construct127מֵאָ֥הH3967Number - feminine singular. . .וְעֶשְׂרִ֥יםH6242Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural. . .וְשֶׁ֣בַעH7651Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular. . .שָׁנִ֑יםH8141Noun - feminine plural. . .שְׁנֵ֖יH8141Noun - feminine plural constructyearsשָׁנָ֛הH8141Noun - feminine singularoldשָׁנָ֖הH8141Noun - feminine singular. . .שָׂרָֽה׃H8283Noun - proper - feminine singular. . .חַיֵּ֥יH2416Noun - masculine plural construct
Verse 2

Original words

[She]שָׂרָ֗הH8283Noun - proper - feminine singulardiedוַתָּ֣מָתH4191Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularvvvבְּקִרְיַ֥תH7153Prepositionin Kiriath-arbaאַרְבַּ֛עH7153Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular(that isהִ֥ואH1931Pronoun - third person feminine singularHebron)חֶבְר֖וֹןH2275Noun - proper - feminine singularin the landבְּאֶ֣רֶץH776Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructof Canaanכְּנָ֑עַןH3667Noun - proper - masculine singularand Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֔םH85Noun - proper - masculine singularwent outוַיָּבֹא֙H935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularto mournלִסְפֹּ֥דH5594Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructand to weepוְלִבְכֹּתָֽהּ׃H1058Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singularfor [her]לְשָׂרָ֖הH8283Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 3

Original words

Then Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֔םH85Noun - proper - masculine singulargot upוַיָּ֙קָם֙H6965Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularfromמֵעַ֖לH5921Preposition-mbesideפְּנֵ֣יH6440Noun - common plural constructhis dead wifeמֵת֑וֹH4191Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularand saidוַיְדַבֵּ֥רH1696Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singulartoאֶל־H413Prepositionthe Hittitesבְּנֵי־H1121Noun - masculine plural construct. . .חֵ֖תH2845Noun - proper - masculine singular. . .לֵאמֹֽר׃H559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct

BSB notes

  • Or sons of Heth; also in verses 5, 7, 10, 16, 18, and 20
Verse 4

Original words

I [am]אָנֹכִ֖יH595Pronoun - first person common singulara foreignerגֵּר־H1616Noun - masculine singularand an outsiderוְתוֹשָׁ֥בH8453Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularamong youעִמָּכֶ֑םH5973Preposition | second person masculine pluralGiveתְּנ֨וּH5414Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralmeלִ֤יPreposition | first person common singulara burialקֶ֙בֶר֙H6913Noun - masculine singularsiteאֲחֻזַּת־H272Noun - feminine singular constructamong youעִמָּכֶ֔םH5973Preposition | second person masculine pluralso that I can buryוְאֶקְבְּרָ֥הH6912Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singularmy deadמֵתִ֖יH4191Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular. . .מִלְּפָנָֽי׃H6440Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Verse 5

Original words

The Hittitesבְנֵי־H1121Noun - masculine plural construct. . .חֵ֛תH2845Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerrepliedוַיַּעֲנ֧וּH6030Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralto Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֖םH85Noun - proper - masculine singular. . .לֵאמֹ֥רH559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Verse 6

Original words

Listen to usשְׁמָעֵ֣נוּ׀H8085Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common pluralsirאֲדֹנִ֗יH113Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singularYouאַתָּה֙H859Pronoun - second person masculine singularare God’sאֱלֹהִ֤יםH430Noun - masculine pluralchosen oneנְשִׂ֨יאH5387Noun - masculine singular constructamong usבְּתוֹכֵ֔נוּH8432Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common pluralBuryקְבֹ֖רH6912Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markeryour deadמֵתֶ֑ךָH4191Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular. . .אִ֣ישׁH376Noun - masculine singularin the finestבְּמִבְחַ֣רH4005Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof our tombsקְבָרֵ֔ינוּH6913Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common pluralNoneלֹֽא־H3808Adverb - Negative particleof usמִמֶּ֔נּוּH4480Preposition | first person common plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerwill withholdיִכְלֶ֥הH3607Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular-מִמְּךָ֖H4480Preposition | second person masculine singularhis tombקִבְר֛וֹH6913Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularfor buryingמִקְּבֹ֥רH6912Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructyour deadמֵתֶֽךָ׃H4191Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Verse 7

Original words

Then Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֛םH85Noun - proper - masculine singularroseוַיָּ֧קָםH6965Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularand bowed downוַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּH7812Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularbefore the peopleלְעַם־H5971Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructof the landהָאָ֖רֶץH776Article | Noun - feminine singularthe Hittitesלִבְנֵי־H1121Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct. . .חֵֽת׃H2845Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 8

Original words

Ifאִם־H518Conjunction. . .יֵ֣שׁH3426Adverb. . .אֶֽת־H854Direct object markeryou are willingנַפְשְׁכֶ֗םH5315Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine pluralfor me to buryלִקְבֹּ֤רH6912Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct-אֶת־H853Direct object markermy deadמֵתִי֙H4191Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singularhe saidוַיְדַבֵּ֥רH1696Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularto themאִתָּ֖םH854Preposition | third person masculine plural. . .לֵאמֹ֑רH559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct. . .מִלְּפָנַ֔יH6440Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singularlisten to meשְׁמָע֕וּנִיH8085Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural | first person common singularand approachוּפִגְעוּ־H6293Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralEphronבְּעֶפְר֥וֹןH6085Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Zoharצֹֽחַר׃H6714Noun - proper - masculine singularon my behalfלִ֖יPreposition | first person common singular
Verse 9

Original words

to sellוְיִתֶּן־H5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singularmeלִ֗יPreposition | first person common singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe caveמְעָרַ֤תH4631Noun - feminine singular constructof Machpelahהַמַּכְפֵּלָה֙H4375Article | Noun - proper - feminine singularthat belongsאֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativeto himל֔וֹPreposition | third person masculine singularitאֲשֶׁ֖רH834Pronoun - relativeis at the endבִּקְצֵ֣הH7097Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof his fieldשָׂדֵ֑הוּH7704Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularLet him sell itיִתְּנֶ֥נָּהH5414Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singularto meלִ֛יPreposition | first person common singularin your presenceבְּתוֹכְכֶ֖םH8432Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine pluralfor fullמָלֵ֜אH4392Adjective - masculine singularpriceבְּכֶ֨סֶףH3701Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singularso that [I may have] a burialקָֽבֶר׃H6913Noun - masculine singularsiteלַאֲחֻזַּת־H272Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Verse 10

Original words

Now Ephronוְעֶפְר֥וֹןH6085Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularwas sittingיֹשֵׁ֖בH3427Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularamongבְּת֣וֹךְH8432Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructthe sonsבְּנֵי־H1121Noun - masculine plural constructof Hethחֵ֑תH2845Noun - proper - masculine singularSo in the presenceבְּאָזְנֵ֣יH241Preposition-b | Noun - feminine dual constructof allלְכֹ֛לH3605Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructthe Hittitesבְנֵי־H1121Noun - masculine plural construct. . .חֵ֔תH2845Noun - proper - masculine singularwho had comeבָּאֵ֥יH935Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructto the gateשַֽׁעַר־H8179Noun - masculine singular constructof his cityעִיר֖וֹH5892Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular. . .לֵאמֹֽר׃H559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructEphronעֶפְר֨וֹןH6085Noun - proper - masculine singularthe Hittiteהַחִתִּ֤יH2850Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markeransweredוַיַּעַן֩H6030Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularAbrahamאַבְרָהָם֙H85Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 11

Original words

Noלֹֽא־H3808Adverb - Negative particlemy lordאֲדֹנִ֣יH113Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singularListen to meשְׁמָעֵ֔נִיH8085Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singularI giveנָתַ֣תִּיH5414Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularyouלָ֔ךְPreposition | second person feminine singularthe fieldהַשָּׂדֶה֙H7704Article | Noun - masculine singularand I giveנְתַתִּ֑יהָH5414Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singularyou the caveוְהַמְּעָרָ֥הH4631Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singularthat is in itאֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relative-בּ֖וֹPreposition | third person masculine singularI give itנְתַתִּ֥יהָH5414Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singularto youלְךָ֣Preposition | second person masculine singularin the presenceלְעֵינֵ֧יH5869Preposition-l | Noun - cdcof my peopleבְנֵי־H1121Noun - masculine plural construct. . .עַמִּ֛יH5971Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singularBuryקְבֹ֥רH6912Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularyour deadמֵתֶֽךָ׃H4191Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Verse 12

Original words

Again Abrahamאַבְרָהָ֔םH85Noun - proper - masculine singularbowed downוַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙H7812Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularbeforeלִפְנֵ֖יH6440Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe peopleעַ֥םH5971Noun - masculine singular constructof the landהָאָֽרֶץ׃H776Article | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 13

Original words

and saidוַיְדַבֵּ֨רH1696Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singulartoאֶל־H413PrepositionEphronעֶפְר֜וֹןH6085Noun - proper - masculine singularin their presenceבְּאָזְנֵ֤יH241Preposition-b | Noun - feminine dual construct. . .עַם־H5971Noun - masculine singular construct. . .הָאָ֙רֶץ֙H776Article | Noun - feminine singular. . .לֵאמֹ֔רH559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct. . .אַ֛ךְH389AdverbIfאִם־H518Conjunctionyouאַתָּ֥הH859Pronoun - second person masculine singularwill pleaseל֖וּH3863Prepositionlisten to meשְׁמָעֵ֑נִיH8085Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singularI will pay youנָתַ֜תִּיH5414Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singularthe priceכֶּ֤סֶףH3701Noun - masculine singular constructof the fieldהַשָּׂדֶה֙H7704Article | Noun - masculine singularAcceptקַ֣חH3947Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularit from meמִמֶּ֔נִּיH4480Preposition | first person common singularso that I may buryוְאֶקְבְּרָ֥הH6912Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markermy deadמֵתִ֖יH4191Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singularthereשָֽׁמָּה׃H8033Adverb | third person feminine singular
Verse 14

Original words

Ephronעֶפְר֛וֹןH6085Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markeransweredוַיַּ֧עַןH6030Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularAbrahamאַבְרָהָ֖םH85Noun - proper - masculine singular-לֵאמֹ֥רH559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Verse 15

Original words

Listen to meשְׁמָעֵ֔נִיH8085Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singularmy lordאֲדֹנִ֣יH113Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singularThe landאֶרֶץ֩H776Noun - feminine singular construct[is worth] fourאַרְבַּ֨עH702Number - feminine singular constructhundredמֵאֹ֧תH3967Number - feminine plural constructshekelsשֶֽׁקֶל־H8255Noun - masculine singular constructof silverכֶּ֛סֶףH3701Noun - masculine singularbut whatמַה־H4100Interrogativeis thatהִ֑ואH1931Pronoun - third person feminine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerbetween you and meבֵּינִ֥יH996Preposition | first person common singular. . .וּבֵֽינְךָ֖H996Conjunctive waw | Preposition | second person masculine singularBuryקְבֹֽר׃H6912Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularyour deadמֵתְךָ֖H4191Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

BSB notes

  • 400 shekels is approximately 10.1 pounds or 4.6 kilograms of silver; also in verse 16.
Verse 16

Original words

Abrahamאַבְרָהָם֮H85Noun - proper - masculine singularagreedוַיִּשְׁמַ֣עH8085Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singulartoאֶל־H413PrepositionEphron’s termsעֶפְרוֹן֒H6085Noun - proper - masculine singularandאַבְרָהָם֙H85Noun - proper - masculine singularweighed outוַיִּשְׁקֹ֤לH8254Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular[for him]לְעֶפְרֹ֔ןH6085Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe priceהַכֶּ֕סֶףH3701Article | Noun - masculine singular-אֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativehe had namedדִּבֶּ֖רH1696Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularin the hearingבְּאָזְנֵ֣יH241Preposition-b | Noun - feminine dual constructof the Hittitesבְנֵי־H1121Noun - masculine plural construct. . .חֵ֑תH2845Noun - proper - masculine singularfourאַרְבַּ֤עH702Number - feminine singular constructhundredמֵאוֹת֙H3967Number - feminine pluralshekelsשֶׁ֣קֶלH8255Noun - masculine singular constructof silverכֶּ֔סֶףH3701Noun - masculine singularaccording to the standardעֹבֵ֖רH5674Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularof the merchantsלַסֹּחֵֽר׃H5503Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Verse 17

Original words

So Ephron’sעֶפְר֗וֹןH6085Noun - proper - masculine singularfieldשְׂדֵ֣הH7704Noun - masculine singular constructat Machpelahבַּמַּכְפֵּלָ֔הH4375Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁ֖רH834Pronoun - relativenearלִפְנֵ֣יH6440Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructMamreמַמְרֵ֑אH4471Noun - proper - feminine singular-הַשָּׂדֶה֙H7704Article | Noun - masculine singular-אֲשֶׁר֙H834Pronoun - relativethe caveוְהַמְּעָרָ֣הH4631Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singularthat [was]אֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativein itבּ֔וֹPreposition | third person masculine singularand allוְכָל־H3605Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructthe treesהָעֵץ֙H6086Article | Noun - masculine singular-אֲשֶׁ֣רH834Pronoun - relativewithinבְּכָל־H3605Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructthe boundariesגְּבֻל֖וֹH1366Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular. . .סָבִֽיב׃H5439Adverbof the fieldבַּשָּׂדֶ֔הH7704Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular-אֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativewere deeded overוַיָּ֣קָם׀H6965Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 18

Original words

to Abraham’sלְאַבְרָהָ֥םH85Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularpossessionלְמִקְנָ֖הH4736Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singularin the presenceלְעֵינֵ֣יH5869Preposition-l | Noun - cdcof allבְּכֹ֖לH3605Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructthe Hittitesבְנֵי־H1121Noun - masculine plural construct. . .חֵ֑תH2845Noun - proper - masculine singularwho had comeבָּאֵ֥יH935Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructto the gateשַֽׁעַר־H8179Noun - masculine singular constructof his cityעִירֽוֹ׃H5892Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 19

Original words

Afterוְאַחֲרֵי־H310Conjunctive waw | Prepositionthisכֵן֩H3651AdverbAbrahamאַבְרָהָ֜םH85Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerburiedקָבַ֨רH6912Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularhis wifeאִשְׁתּ֗וֹH802Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularSarahשָׂרָ֣הH8283Noun - proper - feminine singularinאֶל־H413Prepositionthe caveמְעָרַ֞תH4631Noun - feminine singular constructof the fieldשְׂדֵ֧הH7704Noun - masculine singular constructat Machpelahהַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛הH4375Article | Noun - proper - feminine singularnearעַל־H5921Preposition. . .פְּנֵ֥יH6440Noun - common plural constructMamreמַמְרֵ֖אH4471Noun - proper - feminine singular(that isהִ֣ואH1931Pronoun - third person feminine singularHebronחֶבְר֑וֹןH2275Noun - proper - feminine singularin the landבְּאֶ֖רֶץH776Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructof Canaanכְּנָֽעַן׃H3667Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 20

Original words

So the fieldהַשָּׂדֶ֜הH7704Article | Noun - masculine singularand itsאֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativecaveוְהַמְּעָרָ֧הH4631Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singularwere deededוַיָּ֨קָםH6965Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularby the Hittitesבְּנֵי־H1121Noun - masculine plural construct. . .חֵֽת׃סH2845Noun - proper - masculine singularto Abrahamלְאַבְרָהָ֖םH85Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularas a burialקָ֑בֶרH6913Noun - masculine singular. . .מֵאֵ֖תH854Preposition-m | Direct object markersiteלַאֲחֻזַּת־H272Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.