1Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years. This was the length of Sarah’s life. 2Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. 3Abraham rose up from before his dead and spoke to the children of Heth, saying, 4“I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
5The children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6“Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb. Bury your dead.”
7Abraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, to the children of Heth. 8He talked with them, saying, “If you agree that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, 9that he may sell me the cave of Machpelah, which he has, which is in the end of his field. For the full price let him sell it to me among you as a possession for a burial place.”
10Now Ephron was sitting in the middle of the children of Heth. Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the children of Heth, even of all who went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11“No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the children of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.”
12Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land. 13He spoke to Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, “But if you will, please hear me. I will give the price of the field. Take it from me, and I will bury my dead there.”
14Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15“My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury your dead.”
16Abraham listened to Ephron. Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the current merchants’ standard.
17So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all of its borders, were deeded 18to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan. 20The field, and the cave that is in it, were deeded to Abraham by the children of Heth as a possession for a burial place.
Machpelah, Location of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish People
The biblical site of Machpelah, also known as the Cave of Machpelah, is a significant location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). It is traditionally associated with the burial place of several prominent figures from the Bible, particularly the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Israelite people. Here is some information about the biblical site of Machpelah:
Location: Machpelah is in the West Bank, in the city of Hebron, in modern-day Israel. It is situated in the southern part of the city.
Biblical Significance: The Cave of Machpelah is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, particularly in Genesis 23 and Genesis 49. According to the biblical account, it is the burial site purchased by the patriarch Abraham to bury his wife, Sarah. Later, Abraham and several other biblical figures, including Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah, were also buried there. The cave is traditionally seen as the family tomb of these prominent ancestors.
Abraham's Purchase: In Genesis 23, Abraham, mourning the death of his wife Sarah, negotiates with the Hittites to purchase the cave and the field of Machpelah as a burial site. He pays a significant price for the land, making it a legally recognized possession. This transaction is considered one of the earliest land acquisitions in the Bible.
Religious Significance: Machpelah is considered a sacred site by both Jews and Muslims. It is one of the holiest places in Judaism and is associated with the patriarchs and matriarchs. In Islam, it is known as the Sanctuary of Abraham and is also a significant religious site.
Architectural Features: Over the centuries, various structures have been built over the Cave of Machpelah. The current structure, known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs, is a massive rectangular building with sections designated for Jewish and Muslim prayer. The structure reflects architectural influences from different periods, including Herodian, Byzantine, and Islamic.
Access Restrictions: Access to the Tomb of the Patriarchs is controlled and divided between Jewish and Muslim authorities. It is considered a holy site and place of worship for both religious communities.
Machpelah holds a central place in biblical history and religious traditions. It is significant as the burial place of the patriarchs and matriarchs and as a symbol of the deep historical and spiritual connections between these figures and the land of Canaan (later known as Israel). The site continues to be a place of religious pilgrimage and devotion for Jews and Muslims alike.