Sarah’s Death

“And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.”

Genesis 23:1 (KJV)

The text records Sarah’s age at her death.

Sarah Dies in Hebron

“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.”

Genesis 23:2 (KJV)

The text records Sarah’s death and Abraham’s mourning.

Abraham Speaks to the Sons of Heth

“And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,”

Genesis 23:3 (KJV)

The text records Abraham speaking to the sons of Heth.

Abraham Requests a Burial Place

“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.”

Genesis 23:4 (KJV)

The text records Abraham’s request for a burial place.

The Sons of Heth Respond

“And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,”

Genesis 23:5 (KJV)

“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.”

Genesis 23:6 (KJV)

The text records the sons of Heth offering Abraham a burial place.

Abraham Bows

“And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.”

Genesis 23:7 (KJV)

The text records Abraham bowing to the people.

Abraham Requests the Cave of Machpelah

“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,”

Genesis 23:8 (KJV)

“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 (KJV)

The text records Abraham’s request for the cave of Machpelah.

Ephron Speaks

“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,”

Genesis 23:10 (KJV)

“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.”

Genesis 23:11 (KJV)

The text records Ephron’s offer of the field and cave.

Abraham Bows Again

“And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.”

Genesis 23:12 (KJV)

The text records Abraham bowing again.

Abraham Offers Payment

“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.”

Genesis 23:13 (KJV)

The text records Abraham offering payment.

Ephron Names the Price

“And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,”

Genesis 23:14 (KJV)

“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.”

Genesis 23:15 (KJV)

The text records Ephron naming the price.

Abraham Weighs the Silver

“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.”

Genesis 23:16 (KJV)

The text records Abraham paying the silver.

The Field Is Made Sure

“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”

Genesis 23:17 (KJV)

“Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.”

Genesis 23:18 (KJV)

The text records the field being secured to Abraham.

Sarah Is Buried

“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.”

Genesis 23:19 (KJV)

The text records Sarah’s burial.

The Field and Cave Established

“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.”

Genesis 23:20 (KJV)

The text records the field and cave established as Abraham’s burial possession.

Biblical Record Summary (KJV)

According to Genesis 23:1–20 (KJV):

• Sarah lived 127 years.

• Sarah died in Hebron.

• Abraham mourned for Sarah.

• Abraham requested a burial place.

• The sons of Heth offered sepulchres.

• Abraham requested the cave of Machpelah.

• Ephron offered the field and cave.

• Abraham bowed before the people.

• Abraham offered payment.

• Ephron named the price of 400 shekels.

• Abraham paid the silver.

• The field and cave were secured to Abraham.

• Abraham buried Sarah in Machpelah.

• The field and cave were established as Abraham’s possession.