Genesis 23:1-20
Q.1. Where did Abraham bury Sarah? From whom did he buy the burial site and cave? – (Gen.23:1-4, 19-20 c.f. Gen.10:15-19; 2 Sam.3:1-5; 1 Kgs.2:11)
Sarah lived to be one hundred and twenty-seven years old. When she died, Isaac was thirty-six. God spared her long enough, for her to have a significant influence on this son of the Covenant. She had been a submissive partner to Abraham and was acknowledged as an example of ‘winning your husband without using many words’, by the apostle Peter (c.f. 1 Pet.3:1-6) … Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. The field and the cave in it were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth (Gen.23:19-20). Heth was a son of Canaan from the line of Ham (Gen.10:15-19). Hebron would become King David’s royal city prior to his conquering of Jerusalem (2 Sam.3:1-5; 1 Kgs.2:11).
Q.2. What burial place did Abraham want? Did Ephron want to part with the land? How did they settle on a price? – (Gen.23:5-18)
We see how the ancient people bartered and bargained, in this record of the purchase of Sarah’s burial plot at Machpelah. On the surface, they offered to give Abraham land for a burial site – “Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves; none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead.” (Gen.23:6). However, it soon becomes apparent that both parties knew that this was all part of a process (Gen.23:7-13). Ephron, the owner, soon revealed the price he wanted, while stating – 15 “My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.” 16 Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, commercial standard (Gen.23:15-16). Abraham never wanted to give the impression that his wealth came from men. He didn’t try to barter him down but paid the price in full. Earlier he had responded to the King of Sodom – 22 … “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, `I have made Abram rich.’ (Gen.14:22-23). In this way, the land was “deeded over’ in the presence of the sons of Heth (23:17-18). This set up the principle, that believers should show in their business decisions that they are trusting in God, and not their clever dealings.