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Read Proverbs Chapter 3
Genesis 23
1 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
2 And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
3 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
5 And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a 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.
7 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
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,
9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
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: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
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.
16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed 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.
17 And the 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
18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
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.
20 And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.
The POFW Daily Bible Reading 
Hittite law required that the owner of a complete unit of land continue performing the kings feudal services. Abraham would avoid transfer of these obligations to himself by purchasing only the cave which is in the end of his field.
The Hittities were acknowledging that God had played a mighty part in Abraham’s life.
The cave of the field of Machpelah became the burial spot for Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah,Leah, and Jacob.
Abraham is a very blessed man. Even in the deepest, most sorrowful times God still supplied for all his needs, even in a strange land.
And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old these were the years of the life of Sarah. Young are old you can always live for the Lord.
16. And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed 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.
God had promised him the land, but God had not promised that it would all be free…sometimes God’s promises will cost us something. He may be testing us to see if we are willing to make a sacrifice for it or if we just want the free hand-outs.
Genesis 23:1
Talks about sarah being a hundred years old and had a child from god .
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1 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.
2 And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
Wow, these verses really connect the patriarch families of the Old Testament to our modern day culture in the fact that death is certain and the emotions surrounding it remains the same. In the sorrow of Abrahams loss, God still provided a proper burial spot for his family. Abraham also showed great wisdom by paying full price for the land and not trying to get by with a pentecostal discount. If he would have received the gift, the future generations would have fought the Hittites for the rights of that property.
Standing on the promises.
Twice Ephron wanted to give or donate the land to Abraham. However, Abraham would not take the land without paying a price. Could it be that if Ephron stated “I will not take a price, it is yours for your efforts” would Abraham still insist on paying a price? I believe so. I believe Abraham was still showing the people this land was a gift from God. It was not a temporary place. As he stated in the beginning of the chapter, he is a stranger among them. These people were the current owners of the land of Canaan. Abraham was standing on the promises of God and the actual land that God promised him.
Another thought that occurs to me is when Abraham would not accept the gift from King Melchizedek (Ch. 14), because it may appear that the king was who made Abraham wealthy.
3 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,
4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
5 And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a 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.
7 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
Abraham in his time of grief did not allow his emotions to get the best of him. He was not arrogant or prideful when asking the people for help and he also did not cheat them.
4 “Here I am, a stranger and a foreigner among you. Please sell me a piece of land so I can give my wife a proper burial.” (NLT)
Abraham insisted on purchasing the land because he wanted it as a permanent place to bury his family, for no one to come later and say, “so sorry but this was just a kind gesture for the moment, so we’re taking it back now.” Sometimes without realizing it we take the free handout and think wow what a great blessing and move on only to have frustration with that very thing later on. It’s like when someone says, “hey you want this free pen?” We say sure, then later when we try using it, it only writes one word then it stops working. Though in a silly situation like that we say oh well, for Abraham this was a serious situation where he wanted to make sure the land he got was permanently his. If we want something “permanent” or at the very best, it usually comes at a price, as a sacrificial offering.
The great Hittite Empire lay far to the north of Canaan . These ethnic Hittites were the descendants of pioneers from the north who had settled in Canaan long before and had established small city states.
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16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed 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.
In the life of a believer, certain things and values are not for sale. While other things and values must be bought. Most of my life, I remember hearing the statement, “we show more respect to the things we pay for”. This parcel of land was offered to Abraham as a gift and Abraham desired to “pay” for it. This chapter teaches us; the value of life and the pain of death, some things are worth paying for and we should have some resources at the end of our journey.
MSG
10-11 Ephron was part of the local Hittite community. Then Ephron the Hittite spoke up, answering Abraham with all the Hittites who were part of the town council listening: “Oh no, my master! I couldn’t do that. The field is yours—a gift. I’ll give it and the cave to you. With my people as witnesses, I give it to you. Bury your deceased wife.”
12-13 Abraham bowed respectfully before the assembled council and answered Ephron: “Please allow me—I want to pay the price of the land; take my money so that I can go ahead and bury my wife.”
14-15 Then Ephron answered Abraham, “If you insist, master. What’s four hundred silver shekels between us? Now go ahead and bury your wife.”
16 Abraham accepted Ephron’s offer and paid out the sum that Ephron had named before the town council of Hittites—four hundred silver shekels at the current exchange rate.
Our greatest investment is LIFE and not death.
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To GOD be the GLORY, and not man.
“No, my lord,” he said to Abraham, “please listen to me. I will give you the field and the cave. Here in the presence of my people, I give it to you. Go and bury your dead.” Abraham again bowed low before the citizens of the land, and he replied to Ephron as everyone listened. “No, listen to me. I will buy it from you. Let me pay the full price for the field so I can bury my dead there.”
“My lord, please listen to me. The land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends? Go ahead and bury your dead.” So Abraham agreed to Ephron’s price and paid the amount he had suggested—400 pieces of silver, weighed according to the market standard. The Hittite elders witnessed the transaction.
It was transferred to Abraham as his permanent possession in the presence of the Hittite elders at the city gate. (Genesis 23:11-13, 15-16, 18 NLT)
Yes it was a time of mourning for Abraham, but he didn’t go by what his flesh was feeling. In a situation like that he(Abraham) knew to do things (business) the right way. So that GOD through it all would be glorified. It was never ‘look at what i(ephron) can do for Abraham and declare it through out the land and so that the elders can speak ‘good’ of ephron. Be careful in how you do business with anyone. Always give GOD the GLORY due unto His name and not man.
Gen. 23:4-9, 16
4) I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
5) And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
6) Hear us, my lord, thou art a 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.
7) And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
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,
9) That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
16) And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sins of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
Abraham shows how, we as Christians, should do business with the world; courteously, fairly, and prudently.
Genesis 23:12 Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land and he said to Ephron in their hearing, listen to me if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury mydead there. Ephron answered Abraham. Listen to me my lord the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead. Abraham agreed to Ephron’ s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing. Of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver according to weight current among the merchants. So Ephron’ s field in Machpelah near Mamre both the field and the cave in it and all the trees within the borders of the field was deeded to Abraham as his property in the presence of all the Hittities who had come to the gate of the city.
1 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah
what an awesome full life Sarah got to live and what a great purpose to live for to be the mother of many nations
18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
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.
20 And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.
9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
(Genesis 23:9 KJVStrongs)
Machpelah – AV (4)- that which covers 2, cover 1, clothing 1;
covering, that which covers
h4375. מַכְפֵּלָה maḵp̱êlâ; from 3717; a fold; Makpelah, a place in Palestine: — Machpelah.
AV ( 6)- Machpelah 6; Machpelah =” double” or ” portion”
the location of a burial cave for the patriarchs, near Hebron
( STRONG)
Abraham buries his beloved and searched for a place to bury her. He discovers the cave of Machpelah which means double or portion. Abraham has an understanding that the real promise, and the world he is searching for isnt in this life.
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
(Hebrews 11:10 KJVStrongs)
Abraham wasn’t satisfied with earthly success. He wanted that which was eternal. He had grown in his relationship with God, and knew that there was more than this life had to offer. He wanted the Lord, and to be where he was.
God knows how to give you favor among others. Abraham was a true friend of God and for that God truly blessed him.
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.
16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed 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.
17 And the 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
18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
It is a wise idea to pay full price in the presence of witnesses that they may be no other generation of people that may have tried and claimed the land that Abraham righteously purchased.
Strong Relationships
14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
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.
Abraham had a strong relationship with Ephron, even though there was a difference set between Abraham as the father of God’s chosen nation and Ephron being of the people the Israelites would later face when coming to possess the promised land. Abraham did not seem to have a “better than thou” attitude or think himself so highly that he was entitled to just take possession of the land when Ephron offered it to him. He had respect for Ephron, despite their differences, and that strong relationship became a place of favor for Abraham. Abraham recognized that his relationship with Ephron was worth more than the cost of the land, and even in the midst of mourning the loss of his wife, he showed to Ephron the value he placed on their friendship. What a witness we can give when we are genuine and friendly towards all we meet, regardless of our differences.
Romans 10:11-13
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
“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.” There is a reason this was recorded. Abraham observed and followed their way, in securing a burial place for Sarah. It was also recorded that Abraham openly professed that he was the stranger (“I am a stranger and a sojourner with you”). One that understands the significance of this, truly understands; whereas one that does not, may not ever. Dear God, open my eyes and ears so that I may understand more; “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”. “In GOD we trust”. “One Nation under GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. What a mighty GOD we serve! Thank GOD for his word. GOD bless America, Jerusalem, and you all in JESUS name, Amen!
Historical context
It was the custom to offer something to someone for free out of a sign of generosity but it was also the custom to decline that and pay what the full value of it. It’s interesting to see the “politics” and cordial manner in which they behave. For Abraham to accept it for free would have been rude and for Ephron to demand a price would be rude. So the both go through the generosities before Abraham bought it.
“The Hittites responded, “Why, you’re no mere outsider here with us, you’re a prince of God! Bury your dead wife in the best of our burial sites. None of us will refuse you a place for burial.”
Then Abraham got up, bowed respectfully to the people of the land, the Hittites, and said, “If you’re serious about helping me give my wife a proper burial, intercede for me with Ephron son of Zohar. Ask him to sell me the cave of Machpelah that he owns, the one at the end of his land. Ask him to sell it to me at its full price for a burial plot, with you as witnesses.””
Genesis 23:5-9 MSG
There is so much respect exchanged throughout this passage especially through Abraham. Even though he was a man of God he did not want to be given a special treatment. we should take this as an example of how we should treat others. Respect can open many doors
11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
Glory!! Jesus wants us to b get rid of everything that is making us die spiritually!!!! The people, money, jobs, treasures, and etc. There are some people that truly do not want us to b be part of Jesus!!! The devil will use anyone that will let him in the Window!!! Let Jesus burn enduring that is not of Him!!! Hallelujah
v2 And Sarah died in Kirjath-ar-ba; the same is Herbron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
GOD is aware of the appointment with death of each individual. We should live as if death could be our next moment….. Ready at all time. Realizing the power that JESUS has over death and the grave gives us a trust that at the last day JESUS also will raise the mortal body of every deceased righteous soul regardless of how long he has been in the grave.
Thanks be to GOD that the resurrected child of GOD will receive an immortal body with everlasting life.
God takes care of our every need. Just liker the sparrow that falls to the ground, or the bird looking for it’s next worm, God even provided for Abraham a place to bury his wife. We might ask why was Abraham so blessed? Abraham was willing to leave the land of his birth, travel to where God instructed him, willing to give his only son; whatever the Lord asked of him, he was willing. His love and relationship with the Lord had been tried, tested and proved faithful.
11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
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: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a 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.