Genesis — Chapter 23
King James Version (KJV)
Reading Mode: 📖 Read the complete KJV chapter below. After verse 20, continue to 📚 Study This Chapter for explanations and memory checks.
Genesis 23:1 And Sarah was Ran hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
Genesis 23:2 And Sarah died in RKirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to Rmourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
Genesis 23:3 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of RHeth, saying,
Genesis 23:4 I am a Rstranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a Rburyingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
Genesis 23:5 And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
Genesis 23:6 Hear us, my lord: thou art RTa mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
Genesis 23:7 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
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 Tas Rmuch money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
Genesis 23:10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the Taudience of the children of Heth, even of Rall that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
Genesis 23:11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; Rin the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
Genesis 23:12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
Genesis 23:13 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: RI will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
Genesis 23:14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
Genesis 23:15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham Rweighed 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 23:17 And Rthe field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure
Genesis 23:18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before Rall that went in at the gate of his city.
Genesis 23:19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
Genesis 23:20 And the field, and the cave that is therein, Rwere made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 23:1–4 — Sarah Dies
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Sarah dies at the age of one hundred twenty-seven in Kirjatharba, which is Hebron. Abraham mourns and weeps for her, then asks the sons of Heth for a possession in which to bury his dead.
Key Truth: The chapter records Sarah’s death and Abraham’s need for a permanent burial place in Canaan.
Check What You Remember
1. How many years did Sarah live? (Genesis 23:1)
Find it in Genesis 23:1 (KJV).
2. In which city did Sarah die? (Genesis 23:2)
Find it in Genesis 23:2 (KJV).
3. Who mourned and wept for Sarah? (Genesis 23:2)
Find it in Genesis 23:2 (KJV).
4. What kind of possession did Abraham request? (Genesis 23:4)
Find it in Genesis 23:4 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 23:5–16 — Abraham Negotiates for Machpelah
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The children of Heth honor Abraham and offer their sepulchres. Abraham specifically asks for the cave of Machpelah belonging to Ephron. Although Ephron speaks of giving the field and cave, Abraham insists on paying for it and weighs out four hundred shekels of silver.
Key Truth: Abraham secures the burial property through a public transaction for the stated price.
Check What You Remember
1. Whose cave did Abraham ask to buy? (Genesis 23:8)
Find it in Genesis 23:8 (KJV).
2. What was the cave called? (Genesis 23:9)
Find it in Genesis 23:9 (KJV).
3. What metal was used for the payment? (Genesis 23:16)
Find it in Genesis 23:16 (KJV).
4. How many shekels did Abraham pay? (Genesis 23:16)
Find it in Genesis 23:16 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 23:17–20 — Sarah Is Buried
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The field of Ephron in Machpelah, its cave, and its trees are formally made sure to Abraham in the presence of the children of Heth. Abraham then buries Sarah in the cave, and the property is established as his possession for a buryingplace.
Key Truth: The field and cave of Machpelah become Abraham’s legally recognized possession for burial.
Check What You Remember
1. To whom was the field made sure for a possession? (Genesis 23:18)
Find it in Genesis 23:18 (KJV).
2. Who was buried in the cave? (Genesis 23:19)
Find it in Genesis 23:19 (KJV).
3. Which place near the cave is identified as Hebron? (Genesis 23:19)
Find it in Genesis 23:19 (KJV).
4. Who made the burial possession sure to Abraham? (Genesis 23:20)
Find it in Genesis 23:20 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do Abraham’s words in verse 4 contrast with the people’s description of him in verse 6?
2. What distinction emerges between Ephron’s offer in verse 11 and Abraham’s reply in verse 13?
3. Why is the repeated mention of people at the city gate significant to the transaction as narrated?
4. Which combination defines the property made sure in verse 17?
5. How does the chapter’s ending resolve the request made in verse 4?
Notes
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