23Genesis 23

Sarah's Death and Burial

2When Sarah was 127 years old, she died in Kiriath-Arba, better known as Hebron, in the land of Canaan. After Abraham had mourned for her,Select Genesis 23:2

3he went to the Hittites and said,Select Genesis 23:3

4“I live as a foreigner in your land, and I don't own any property where I can bury my wife. Please let me buy a piece of land.”Select Genesis 23:4

6“Sir,” they answered, “you are an important man. Choose the best place to bury your wife. None of us would refuse you a resting place for your dead.”Select Genesis 23:6

7Abraham bowed downSelect Genesis 23:7

8and replied, “If you are willing to let me bury my wife here, please ask Zohar's son EphronSelect Genesis 23:8

9to sell me Machpelah Cave at the end of his field. I'll pay what it's worth, and all of you can be witnesses.”Select Genesis 23:9

10Ephron was sitting there near the city gate, when Abraham made this request, and he answered,Select Genesis 23:10

11“Sir, the whole field, including the cave, is yours. With my own people as witnesses, I freely give it to you as a burial place for your dead.”Select Genesis 23:11

12Once again, Abraham bowed downSelect Genesis 23:12

13and said to Ephron, “In front of these witnesses, I offer you the full price, so I can bury my wife. Please accept my offer.”Select Genesis 23:13

15“But sir,” the man replied, “the property is worth only 400 pieces of silver. Why should we haggle over such a small amount? Take the land. It's yours.”Select Genesis 23:15

18Abraham accepted Ephron's offer and paid him the 400 pieces of silver in front of everyone at the city gate. That's how Abraham came to own Ephron's property east of Mamre, which included the field with all of its trees, as well as Machpelah Cave at the end of the field.Select Genesis 23:18

19So Abraham buried his wife Sarah in Machpelah Cave that was in the fieldSelect Genesis 23:19

20he had bought from the Hittites.Select Genesis 23:20