Genesis – Chapter 23

Old Testament20 Verses

Chapter Summary

Genesis 23 opens with the words: "And Sara lived a hundred and twenty-seven years." The chapter centers on Abraham and Sarah. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's protection and deliverance. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And Sara lived a hundred and twenty-seven years.

2And she died in the city of Arbee which is Hebron, in the land of Chanaan: and Abraham came to mourn and weep for her.

3And after he rose up from the funeral obsequies, he spoke to the children of Heth, saying:

4I am a stranger and sojourner among you: give me the right of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead.

5The children of Heth answered, saying:

6My lord, hear us, thou art a prince of God among us: bury thy dead in our principal sepulchres: and no man shall have power to hinder thee from burying thy dead in his sepulchre.

7Abraham rose up, and bowed down to the people of the land, to wit, the children of Heth:

8And said to them: If it please your soul that I should bury my dead, hear me, and intercede for me to Ephron the son of Seor.

9That he may give me the double cave, which he hath in the end of his field: For as much money as it is worth he shall give it me before you, for a possession of a burying place.

10Now Ephron dwelt in the midst of the children of Heth. And Ephron made answer to Abraham in the hearing of all that went in at the gate of the city, saying:

11Let it not be so, my lord, but do thou rather hearken to what I say: The field I deliver to thee, and the cave that is therein; in the presence of the children of my people, bury thy dead.

12Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.

13And he spoke to Ephron, in the presence of the people: I beseech thee to hear me: I will give money for the field; take it, and so will I bury my dead in it.

14And Ephron answered:

15My lord, hear me. The ground which thou desirest, is worth four hundred sicles of silver: this is the price between me and thee: but what is this? bury thy dead.

16And when Abraham had heard this, he weighed out the money that Ephron had asked, in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred sicles of silver, of common current money.

17And the field that before was Ephron's, wherein was the double cave, looking towards Mambre, both it and the cave, and all the trees thereof, in all its limits round about,

18Was made sure to Abraham for a possession, in the sight of the children of Heth, and of all that went in at the gate of his city.

19And 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.

20And the field was made sure to Abraham, and the cave that was in it, for a possession to bury in, by the children of Heth.

Important Verses in Genesis 23

And Sara lived a hundred and twenty-seven years.

Genesis 23:1

My lord, hear us, thou art a prince of God among us: bury thy dead in our principal sepulchres: and no man shall have power to hinder thee from burying thy dead in his sepulchre.

Genesis 23:6

Let it not be so, my lord, but do thou rather hearken to what I say: The field I deliver to thee, and the cave that is therein; in the presence of the children of my people, bury thy dead.

Genesis 23:11

My lord, hear me. The ground which thou desirest, is worth four hundred sicles of silver: this is the price between me and thee: but what is this? bury thy dead.

Genesis 23:15

Historical Context

Genesis belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the people of Israel, to root their identity in God's creation and the covenant with the patriarchs. Chapter 23 of 50 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Abraham and Sarah, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "And Sara lived a hundred and twenty-seven years." It concludes: "And the field was made sure to Abraham, and the cave that was in it, for a possession to bury in, by the children of…" Read against its original backdrop, Genesis was composed to give Israel its foundational identity: one God created all things good, sin entered through human choice, and God responded with a plan of salvation beginning with Abraham. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions

When It Was Written

Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 20-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of creation, covenant, and the patriarchs. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And Sara lived a hundred and twenty-seven years." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Genesis 23 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Catechism teaches that Genesis reveals God's plan of salvation from the beginning (CIC 54-64). St. Bernard of Clairvaux and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 461).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

People in This Chapter

Abraham8 mentionsSarah2 mentions

Reflection for Today

Genesis Chapter 23 recounts Sarah's death and Abraham's purchase of the cave of Machpelah for her burial. Catholic theology sees in this narrative the importance of honoring the dead and the hope of resurrection. The Catechism teaches that Christian funeral rites express faith in eternal life and commend the deceased to God's mercy (CIC 1680-1690).

Abraham's insistence on purchasing the burial site rather than accepting it as a gift demonstrates his integrity and establishes a legal claim to the land. This cave becomes the burial place for Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah—a family tomb that anchors the patriarchs to the Promised Land. The Church Fathers saw in this purchase a sign of faith in God's promises regarding the land.

The elaborate negotiations between Abraham and Ephron the Hittite reveal ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality and commerce. Abraham's willingness to pay full price shows his respect for his neighbors and his desire for clear ownership. This chapter reminds us that faith is expressed not only in dramatic moments but also in the ordinary transactions of life. The care we show for the dead reflects our belief in the resurrection and the communion of saints.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Genesis Chapter 23 about?

Genesis 23 contains 20 verses. It opens with "And Sara lived a hundred and twenty-seven years." and closes with "And the field was made sure to Abraham, and the cave that was in it, for a possession to bury in, by the children of…". The book as a whole is narrative with genealogies and covenant accounts.

What is a key verse in Genesis 23?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And Sara lived a hundred and twenty-seven years." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Genesis Chapter 23?

This chapter mentions Abraham, Sarah.

Who wrote Genesis and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; Catholic scholarship recognizes the work of inspired editors drawing on ancient oral and written traditions. Traditions reaching back to the 2nd millennium BC, compiled in final form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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