Devine Scripture

Genesis 23:19

What does Genesis 23:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 23:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 23:19 means

After the comprehensive and legally binding purchase, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the newly acquired cave of Machpelah. This act fulfills the initial purpose of his negotiations. Her burial in this specific location in Hebron, in the land of Canaan, marks it as the first family burial plot and a permanent point of connection to the promised land for Abraham's descendants. This act also points forward to Christ, as it shows Abraham's faith in God's promises even in death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Abraham put Sarah his wife to rest in the hollow rock in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, that is, Hebron in the land of Canaan.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And after this hath Abraham buried Sarah his wife at the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (which <FI>is<Fi> Hebron), in the land of Canaan;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And so Abraham buried Sara, his wife, in the double cave of the field, that looked towards Mambre, this is Hebron in the land of Chanaan.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah, opposite to Mamre: that is Hebron, in the land of Canaan.

Context

Following the meticulous legal confirmation of the land purchase in verses 17 and 18, this verse describes the actual burial of Sarah. This is the culmination of Abraham's efforts throughout the chapter, bringing resolution to his personal grief and securing a permanent resting place. This action directly leads into the final confirmation of the land's transfer.

v.18unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

v.19This passage

v.20And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place by the children of Heth.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:5

    yea, they shall be afraid of that which is high, and terrors shall be in the way; and the almond-tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets:

  • Genesis 49:29

    And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

  • Ecclesiastes 6:3

    If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he:

  • Genesis 50:13

    for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field, for a possession of a burying-place, of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

  • Genesis 3:19

    in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:7

    and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.

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