Genesis 23:12 - The Death and Burial of Sarah

Audio Bible

Context

The Death and Burial of Sarah
…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.”…

Cross References

Genesis 18:2
And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.Genesis 33:3
But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.Genesis 44:14
When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him.Genesis 50:18
His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”Exodus 18:7
So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent.Ruth 2:10
At this, she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?”1 Samuel 24:8
After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence1 Samuel 25:23
When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him.2 Samuel 14:4
When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!”2 Samuel 24:20
When Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants coming toward him, he went out and bowed facedown before the king.1 Kings 1:16
And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?”2 Kings 4:37
She came in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.Matthew 8:2
Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”Matthew 18:26
Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’

Genesis 23:7
And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.

Genesis 18:2
And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Genesis 19:1
And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

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Genesis 23

Again Abraham bowed down
This phrase indicates a repeated action, emphasizing Abraham's humility and respect. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, bowing was a common gesture of respect and submission, especially in negotiations or when seeking favor. Abraham's repeated bowing shows his earnestness and sincerity in his dealings with the Hittites. This act of bowing can also be seen as a reflection of Abraham's character, demonstrating his humility despite his wealth and status. It is reminiscent of other biblical figures who showed humility, such as Joseph before Pharaoh (Genesis 41:16) and Daniel before King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:27-28).

before the people of the land
The "people of the land" refers to the Hittites, who were the inhabitants of the region where Abraham was residing. This phrase highlights the fact that Abraham was a foreigner and sojourner in Canaan, a land promised to him and his descendants by God (Genesis 12:7). The Hittites were a significant group in the ancient Near East, known for their advanced culture and political influence. Abraham's interaction with them underscores the theme of living by faith in God's promises, even when circumstances seem contrary. This encounter foreshadows the future possession of the land by Abraham's descendants, as promised by God, and serves as a type of the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who secures an eternal inheritance for believers (Hebrews 11:8-10).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Abraham
The patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this chapter, he is negotiating for a burial site for his wife, Sarah.

2. The People of the Land
Refers to the Hittites, the inhabitants of the region where Abraham is residing. They are involved in the negotiation for the burial site.

3. Sarah's Death
The event that prompts Abraham to seek a burial site, marking a significant moment in the account of Abraham's life.

4. The Land of Canaan
The promised land where Abraham is living as a foreigner, highlighting the tension between God's promises and Abraham's current reality.

5. The Cave of Machpelah
The burial site Abraham seeks to purchase, which becomes a significant family burial place for the patriarchs.

Teaching Points

Humility in Negotiation
Abraham's act of bowing down shows respect and humility, even when he is in a position to demand. This teaches us the importance of humility in our interactions with others.

Faith in God's Promises
Despite owning no land, Abraham's actions demonstrate his faith in God's promise. We are reminded to trust in God's promises, even when they seem distant.

Respect for Others
Abraham's respectful approach to the Hittites highlights the importance of treating others with dignity, regardless of our own status or God's promises to us.

The Significance of Burial
The care Abraham takes in securing a burial site for Sarah underscores the importance of honoring our loved ones in death, reflecting our hope in the resurrection.

Living as Foreigners
Abraham's status as a foreigner in Canaan parallels the Christian experience of living in the world but not being of it, encouraging us to live with an eternal perspective.

(12) Abraham bowed down.--This obeisance on the patriarch's part is the Oriental method of returning thanks for the granting of a request; and so in Genesis 23:7. The next step is to fix the price.

Verses 12, 13. - And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land. To express his sense of their kindness, and appreciation of Ephron's offer in particular; aider which he courteously but firmly urged forward the contemplated purchase. 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. Literally, if thou, I would that thou wouldst hear me, the two particles אִם and לוּ being conjoined to express the intensity of the speaker's desire. I will give thee money for the field. Literally, money of the field, i.e. the value of the field in money. This seems to indicate that Abraham at least imagined Ephron's offer of the field and cave as a gift to be not wholly formal. Had he regarded Ephron as all the while desirous of a sale, he would not have employed the language of entreaty. Take it of me, and I will bury my dead there. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Again Abraham
אַבְרָהָ֔ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

bowed down
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙ (way·yiš·ta·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

before
לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the people
עַ֥ם (‘am)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of the land
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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