Bible Commentaries
Genesis 23

Verses 1-20

Sarah's Death

Sarah died in Kirjath Arba, which was known to the Jews as Hebron, at the age of one hundred twenty-seven ( Gen_23:1-2 ). Peter considers her to be the mother of all faithful women who submit to their husbands. "For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror" ( 1Pe_3:5-6 ).

Instead of taking Sarah's body back to Haran or Ur, Abraham chose to purchase a burial place in the land of Canaan. His actions proclaimed to those around that he intended this to be his family's home. The sons of Heth, who were Hittites, offered him the choice of any of the burial places. However, Abraham wanted to purchase the cave of Machpelah.

Though Ephron, the owner, tried to give him the land, Abraham insisted on paying a fair price. He paid Ephron the four hundred shekels of silver he said the land was worth and buried Sarah in the cave. This cave was near their home in Mamre, or Hebron ( Gen_23:3-20 ).