Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years. These were the years of her life.

Sarah died in Hebron, which is also known as Kiriatharba in the land of Canaan. When she passed away, Abraham came to mourn for her and weep over her body. Standing up from before her, he spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, "I am a stranger and a foreigner living among you. Give me permission to bury my dead out of your sight, so I can give Sarah a proper burial."

The children of Heth answered Abraham respectfully, saying, "Hear us, our lord! You are a respected leader among us, and we're willing to give you the best burial ground in our tombs. Bury your wife in any of our sepulchers, and none of us will refuse you." They went on to say, "Listen to us, our lord. You are a mighty prince among us. Choose any one of our sepulchers for Sarah's burial, and we won't withhold it from you."

Abraham stood up again and bowed down to the people of the land, including the children of Heth. He spoke with them, saying, "If it is your will that I bury my dead out of my sight, please listen to me and intercede on my behalf to Ephron, the son of Zohar. I'd like to purchase a burial plot from him, specifically the cave of Machpelah located in the end of his field."

Ephron, an Hittite who lived among the children of Heth, answered Abraham publicly at the city gate. He said, "My lord, I'm giving you the entire field and the cave that's inside it. You can bury your dead there, right before my servants and in the presence of everyone who enters our city gate."

Abraham bowed down to the people again, showing his respect. Then he spoke to Ephron, saying, "However, if you're willing to give me this land, I'd like to offer you money for it. Take the payment from me, and I'll bury my wife there." But Ephron refused the offer, saying, "My lord, listen to me: the field is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What's that compared to our friendship? Bury your dead."

Abraham agreed to Ephron's terms and paid him four hundred shekels of silver, which was a standard amount used in trade with merchants. After making sure that everything was settled, Ephron handed over the entire field and cave to Abraham, including every tree on its borders located in Machpelah near Mamre.

To confirm the transaction, Ephron sold the field to Abraham in the presence of the children of Heth, right before everyone who entered the city gate. Then Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah near Mamre, which is also known as Hebron in the land of Canaan. The sons of Heth secured the field and its cave as a burial ground for Abraham, ensuring that he would have a place to rest with his loved ones.