Topical Encyclopedia The concept of burial and the establishment of burying places hold significant importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the patriarchs. One of the most notable instances of a purchased burial site is found in the account of Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelite nation. This event is recorded in the Book of Genesis and serves as a foundational moment in the history of the Israelites, reflecting both faith and foresight.The Purchase of the Cave of Machpelah The primary account of Abraham purchasing a burial site is found in Genesis 23. Following the death of his wife Sarah, Abraham sought a permanent burial place for her. The narrative details Abraham's negotiation with the Hittites, specifically Ephron the son of Zohar, for the purchase of the Cave of Machpelah, located near Mamre (which is Hebron in the land of Canaan). Genesis 23:3-4 states: "Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites, 'I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.'" Abraham's request underscores his status as a sojourner in the land, yet it also highlights his desire to establish a lasting heritage in Canaan, the land promised to him by God. The Hittites, recognizing Abraham as a "mighty prince" among them, offered him the choice of their tombs. However, Abraham insisted on purchasing the land, ensuring legal ownership and a permanent family burial site. The Transaction The transaction is meticulously detailed in Genesis 23:10-16 , where Ephron offers the field and the cave to Abraham in the presence of the Hittites at the city gate, a customary place for legal transactions. Despite Ephron's initial offer to give the land, Abraham insists on paying the full price, which Ephron sets at four hundred shekels of silver. Abraham agrees to the price, and the transaction is completed, establishing his legal right to the property. Genesis 23:17-18 records: "So Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre—the field with its cave and all the trees anywhere within the boundaries of the field—was deeded over to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city." Significance of the Site The Cave of Machpelah becomes the first piece of the Promised Land owned by Abraham and his descendants. It serves as the burial site not only for Sarah but also for Abraham himself, as well as Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob. This site, therefore, holds profound significance as a symbol of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants, representing both a physical and spiritual inheritance. The purchase of the Cave of Machpelah is a testament to Abraham's faith in God's promises. By securing a burial place in Canaan, Abraham demonstrated his belief that his descendants would indeed inherit the land, as God had promised. This act of faith is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, illustrating the intersection of divine promise and human action. Legacy The burial site at Machpelah remains a significant location in biblical history and tradition. It is revered as the Tomb of the Patriarchs, a site of pilgrimage and veneration for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. The account of its purchase is a reminder of the enduring legacy of Abraham's faith and the tangible expression of God's covenant with him and his descendants. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 23:1And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 25:9 Library Whether it is Lawful to Receive Money for Things Annexed to ... Appendix D. In Death and after Death Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment: Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ... Memoir of John Bunyan The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, Resources What does the Bible say about cremation? Should Christians be cremated? | GotQuestions.orgIs it true that Jesus was crucified above the tomb of Adam? | GotQuestions.org Why are the circumstances of the death of Moses so mysterious? | GotQuestions.org Burial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Burial for Criminals, Marked by Heaps Burial of Enemies, Sometimes Performed by the Conquerors Burial of Persons Embalmed, Deferred for Seventy Days Burial of Persons Hanged, Always on the Days of Execution Burial of the Friendless, a Kind Act Burial were Ceremonially Unclean Burial: An Ignominious, Compared to the Burial of an Ass Burial: Antiquity of Coffins For Burial: Antiquity of Purchasing Places For Burial: Attended by Family of the Dead Burial: Attended by Female Friends Burial: Attended by Great Lamentation At Burial: Attended by Hired Mourners Burial: Attended by Numbers of Friends Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends of Jacob Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Abner Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Child of Jeroboam Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Stephen Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: The Son of the Widow of Nain Burial: Burial of Gog (Multitude) Requiring Seven Months Burial: Burying Places for Poor and Strangers Burial: Burying Places in Caves Burial: Burying Places in Gardens Burial: Burying Places in Houses Burial: Burying Places in Valleys Burial: Burying Places of Kings Burial: Burying Places with Shelves Burial: Burying Places: A Place of Honor Burial: Burying Places: And Inscriptions Burial: Burying Places: Anyone Who Touched, Were Unclean Burial: Burying Places: Bought by Abraham Burial: Burying Places: Closed With Stones Burial: Burying Places: Demoniacs Lived In Burial: Burying Places: Family Burial: Burying Places: Joseph Burial: Burying Places: King Saul's Burial: Burying Places: Marked With Pillars, Rachel's Burial: Burying Places: On Hills Burial: Burying Places: Painted and Garnished Burial: Burying Places: Refused to the Dead Burial: Burying Places: Robbed Burial: Burying Places: Sealed Burial: Burying Places: Under Trees, Deborah's Burial: Directions Given About, Before Death by Jacob Burial: Directions Given About, Before Death by Joseph Burial: Frequently Prepared and Pointed out During Life Burial: Held in High Veneration Burial: Illustrative of Regeneration Burial: Members of a Family Interred in the Same Burial: Often Desecrated by Idolatry Burial: Often Took Place Immediately After Death Burial: Orations Sometimes Made At Burial: Places Used for Caves Hewn out of Rocks Burial: Places Used for Gardens Burial: Places Used for Houses of the Deceased Burial: Places Used for Natural Caves Burial: Places Used for The City of David for the Kings of Judah Burial: Places Used for Tops of the Hills Burial: Places Used for Under Trees Burial: Privation of, Considered a Calamity Burial: Privation of, Threatened As a Punishment Burial: Provided for Aliens and Strangers Burial: Provided for the Common People Burial: Sometimes had Inscriptions Burial: Sometimes not Apparent Burial: The Body Was: Anointed For Burial: The Body Was: Carried on a Bier To Burial: The Body Was: Preserved With Spices Burial: The Body Was: Sometimes Burned Before Burial: The Body Was: Washed Before Burial: The Body Was: Wound in Linen For Burial: The Jews Anxious to be Interred in Their Family Places of Burial: The Right of all Nations Burial: Visited by Sorrowing Friends Related Terms |
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