Genesis 23

The Death of Sarah

23:1 Sarah lived 127 years.1 23:2 Then she2 died in Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.3

23:3 Then Abraham got up from mourning his dead wife4 and said to the sons of Heth,5 23:4 “I am a temporary settler6 among you. Grant7 me ownership8 of a burial site among you so that I may9 bury my dead.”10

23:5 The sons of Heth answered Abraham,11 23:6 “Listen, sir,12 you are a mighty prince13 among us! You may bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb to prevent you14 from burying your dead.”

23:7 Abraham got up and bowed down to the local people,15 the sons of Heth. 23:8 Then he said to them, “If you agree16 that I may bury my dead,17 then hear me out.18 Ask19 Ephron the son of Zohar 23:9 if he will sell20 me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him; it is at the end of his field. Let him sell it to me publicly21 for the full price,22 so that I may own it as a burial site.”

23:10 (Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth.) Ephron the Hethite23 replied to Abraham in the hearing24 of the sons of Heth – before all who entered the gate25 of his city – 23:11 “No, my lord! Hear me out. I sell26 you both the field and the cave that is in it.27 In the presence of my people28 I sell it to you. Bury your dead.”

23:12 Abraham bowed before the local people 23:13 and said to Ephron in their hearing, “Hear me, if you will. I pay29 to you the price30 of the field. Take it from me so that I may31 bury my dead there.”

23:14 Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 23:15 “Hear me, my lord. The land is worth32 400 pieces of silver,33 but what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.”

23:16 So Abraham agreed to Ephron’s price34 and weighed35 out for him36 the price37 that Ephron had quoted38 in the hearing of the sons of Heth – 400 pieces of silver, according to the standard measurement at the time.39

23:17 So Abraham secured40 Ephron’s field in Machpelah, next to Mamre, including the field, the cave that was in it, and all the trees that were in the field and all around its border, 23:18 as his property in the presence of the sons of Heth before all who entered the gate of Ephron’s city.41

23:19 After this Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah next to Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 23:20 So Abraham secured the field and the cave that was in it as a burial site42 from the sons of Heth.

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