Genesis 23:20

Genesis 23:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)So the field and the cave in it were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place.

Context of Genesis 23:20

18to Abraham. His property included the field with the cave in it as well as all the trees inside the boundaries of the field. The Hittites together with all who had entered the city gate were the official witnesses for the agreement. 19After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah, east of Mamre (that is, Hebron). So the field and its cave were sold by the Hittites to Abraham as his property to be used as a tomb.

Genesis 23:20 word by word

וַיָּ֨קָם הַשָּׂדֶ֜ה וְהַמְּעָרָ֧ה אֲשֶׁר־בּ֛וֹ לְאַבְרָהָ֖ם לַאֲחֻזַּת־קָ֑בֶר מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵי־חֵֽת׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And the fieldשָׂדֶהώâdeh ώâday · land: countryH7704
• and the caveמְעָרָהme‛ârâh · caveH4631
• therein, were made sureקוּםqûm · to arise: establishH6965
• unto Abrahamאַבְרָהָם'abrâhâm · AbrahamH85
• for a possessionאֲחֻזָּה'ăchûzzâh · possessionH272
• of a buryingplaceקֶ֫בֶרqeber qibrâh · graveH6913
• by the sonsבֵּןbên · son: descendant/peopleH1121
• of Hethחֵתchêth · HethH2845

Cross-references for Genesis 23:20

• Ruth 4:7(This is the way it used to be in Israel concerning buying back property and exchanging goods: In order to make every matter legal, a man would take off his sandal and give it to the other man. This was the way a contract was publicly approved in Israel.)
• 2 Samuel 24:24“No!” the king said to Araunah. “I must buy it from you at a ⌞fair⌟ price. I won’t offer the Lord my God burnt sacrifices that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 1¼ pounds of silver.
• Jeremiah 32:10I signed the deed, sealed it, had people witness the signing of the deed, and paid out the silver.
• Genesis 25:9His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah in the field of Ephron, son of Zohar the Hittite. The cave is east of Mamre.
• Genesis 49:31Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried there. Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried there. I also buried Leah there.
• Genesis 50:5‘My father made me swear an oath. He said, “I’m about to die. Bury me in the tomb I bought for myself in Canaan.” Please let me go there and bury my father; then I’ll come back.’ ”
• 2 Kings 21:18Manasseh lay down in death with his ancestors. He was buried in the garden of his own palace, in the garden of Uzza. His son Amon succeeded him as king.

Commentaries on Genesis 23:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20And the field, etc. were made sure - ויקם vaiyakom, were established, caused to stand; the whole transaction having been regulated according to all the forms of law then in use. 1. In this transaction between Abraham and the sons of Heth concerning the cave and field of Machpelah, we have the earliest account on record of the purchase of land. The simplicity, openness, and candour on both sides cannot be too much admired. 2. Sarah being dead, Abraham…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-20Verses 1-20 - The Death of Sarah 2. ארבע קרית qı̂ryat -'arba‛ “Qirjath-arba, city of Arba.” ארבע 'arba‛ “Arba, four.” 8. עפרון ‛eprôn “Ephron, of the dust, or resembling a calf.” צחר tshochar “Tsochar, whiteness.” 9. מכפלה makpêlâh “Makpelah, doubled.” The death and burial of Sarah are here recorded. This occasions the purchase of the field of Makpelah, in the cave of which is her sepulchre. Genesis 23:1-2 Sarah is the only woman whose age is recorded…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-20Verses 14-20 Prudence, as well as justice, directs us to be fair and open in our dealings; cheating bargains will not bear the light. Abraham, without fraud or delay, pays the money. He pays it at once in full, without keeping any part back; and by weight, current money with the merchant, without deceit. See how anciently money was used for the help of trade, and how honestly it should be paid when it is due. Though all the land of Canaan was Abraham by…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-20Abraham paid the full amount and completed the deal. He avoided debt by not accepting gifts from the people (compare 14:21–24). The Hittite elders witnessed the deal, ensuring no one could dispute Abraham's ownership of the land. The transaction happened at the city gate, where they conducted public legal and business matters (see 19:1). The land became Abraham's permanent property, a first step toward God's promise to give him the land. God had not yet…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-203. Abraham stood up, &c.--Eastern people are always provided with family burying-places; but Abraham's life of faith--his pilgrim state--had prevented him acquiring even so small a possession (Ac 7:5). spake unto the sons of Heth--He bespoke their kind offices to aid him in obtaining possession of a cave that belonged to Ephron--a wealthy neighbor.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 23:20

• Abraham
• Cave
• Hittites
• Land
• Machpelah

In the dictionaries

• Abraham
• Abraham, Abram
• Burial
• Cave
• Choice
• Cunning
• Field
• Gardens
• Hebron
• Heth

Commentaries on Genesis 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings