Devine Scripture

Genesis 23:2

What does Genesis 23:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 23:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 23:2 means

Sarah died in Kiriath-arba, also known as Hebron, a significant location in Canaan. Abraham's actions of mourning and weeping demonstrate his deep grief and love for his wife. This heartfelt display of sorrow is a natural human response to loss and provides a poignant backdrop to his immediate need for a proper burial place. His grief is not a weakness but a testament to their enduring bond.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Sarah died in Kirjath–arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Sarah's death took place in Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron, in the land of Canaan: and Abraham went into his house, weeping and sorrowing for Sarah.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Sarah dieth in Kirjath-Arba, which <FI>is<Fi> Hebron, in the land of Caanan, and Abraham goeth in to mourn for Sarah, and to bewail her.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And she died in the city of Arbee which is Hebron, in the land of Chanaan: and Abraham came to mourn and weep for her.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Sarah died in Kirjath-Arba: that is Hebron, in the land of Canaan. And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

Context

Following the announcement of Sarah's death in verse 1, this verse pinpoints the exact location of her passing and describes Abraham's profound sorrow. This emotional context is crucial because it explains *why* Abraham then engages with the children of Heth in the following verses, seeking a burial plot. His personal grief motivates his public actions.

v.1And the life of Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years: these were the years of the life of Sarah.

v.2This passage

v.3And Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spake unto the children of Heth, saying,

Cross references

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

  • John 11:35

    Jesus wept.

  • Joshua 14:14

    Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite unto this day; because that he wholly followed Jehovah, the God of Israel.

  • Judges 1:10

    And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron (now the name of Hebron beforetime was Kiriath-arba); and they smote Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.

  • Genesis 23:19

    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.

  • Acts 8:2

    And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.

  • Ezekiel 24:16

    Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet thou shalt neither mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.

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