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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 23:3 Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/23-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/01_Gen_23_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 23:3 - The Death and Burial of Sarah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/23-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/23-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/23-2.htm" title="Genesis 23:2">◄</a> Genesis 23:3 <a href="/genesis/23-4.htm" title="Genesis 23:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then, leaving her body, he said to the Hittite elders,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham arose from <i>mourning</i> before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Abraham rose from before his dead and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham stood up before his dead [wife’s body], and spoke to the sons of Heth (Hittites), saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Abraham got up from beside his dead wife, he spoke to the Hethites:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites:&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spake unto the children of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />he went to the Hittites and said, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spake unto the children of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Abraham left the side of his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He left the place where his wife's body was lying, went to the Hittites, and said, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Abraham stood up from beside his dead wife and addressed the Hittites. He said, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Abraham got up from mourning his dead wife and said to the sons of Heth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham rose up from before his dead and spoke to the children of Heth, saying, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham rises up from the presence of his dead, and speaks to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abraham riseth up from the presence of his dead, and speaketh unto the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham will rise up from the face of his dead, and speak to the sons of Heth, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And after he rose up from the funeral obsequies, he spoke to the children of Heth, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when he had risen up from the funeral duties, he spoke to the sons of Heth, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then he left the side of his deceased wife and addressed the Hittites:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham rose up from beside his dead, and said to the Hittites,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham rose up from before the bier of his dead and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abraham stood up before his dead and he spoke with the sons of Khyth and said to them,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spoke unto the children of Heth, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abraam stood up from before his dead; and Abraam spoke to the sons of Chet, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/23-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=5043" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/23.htm">The Death and Burial of Sarah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">Then Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: way·yā·qām (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">got up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">beside</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mê·ṯōw (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">his dead wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">and said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the Hittites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2845.htm" title="2845: ḥêṯ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Canaan and probably ancestor of the Hittites. From chathath; terror; Cheth, an aboriginal Canaanite."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>“I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-29.htm">Genesis 49:29-32</a></span><br />Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. / The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. / There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-13.htm">Genesis 50:13</a></span><br />They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-16.htm">Acts 7:16</a></span><br />Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9-10</a></span><br />By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13-16</a></span><br />All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">1 Chronicles 29:15</a></span><br />For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-12.htm">Psalm 39:12</a></span><br />Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-11.htm">Psalm 105:11</a></span><br />“I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-19.htm">Psalm 119:19</a></span><br />I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-23.htm">Leviticus 25:23</a></span><br />The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a></span><br />Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-6.htm">2 Corinthians 5:6-8</a></span><br />Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. / For we walk by faith, not by sight. / We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20</a></span><br />But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-14.htm">Hebrews 13:14</a></span><br />For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-10.htm">1 Kings 2:10</a></span><br />Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,</p><p class="hdg">Heth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5,7</a></b></br> And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/10-15.htm">Genesis 10:15</a></b></br> And Canaan begat Sidon his firstborn, and Heth,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-10.htm">Genesis 25:10</a></b></br> The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/23-2.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/22-23.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/10-15.htm">Heth</a> <a href="/genesis/15-20.htm">Hittites</a> <a href="/genesis/16-12.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/genesis/21-32.htm">Riseth</a> <a href="/genesis/22-19.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/genesis/22-7.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/genesis/19-27.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/genesis/22-20.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/23-5.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/23-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/23-5.htm">Heth</a> <a href="/genesis/23-5.htm">Hittites</a> <a href="/genesis/23-9.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/genesis/23-7.htm">Riseth</a> <a href="/genesis/23-7.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/genesis/23-8.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/genesis/23-7.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/genesis/23-19.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/23-1.htm">The age and death of Sarah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/23-3.htm">The purchase of the field and cave of Machpelah;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/23-19.htm">where Sarah is buried.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife</b><br>This phrase marks a significant moment of transition for Abraham. The death of Sarah, his wife, represents not only a personal loss but also a pivotal moment in the narrative of the patriarchs. Sarah's death occurs in Hebron, in the land of Canaan, which is significant as it underscores the theme of the promised land. Abraham's actions following her death demonstrate his faith and commitment to God's promises. The act of getting up signifies a movement from mourning to action, reflecting the cultural practices of the time where mourning was a deeply personal and communal experience. This moment also foreshadows the future burial of other patriarchs and matriarchs in the same region, establishing a familial and spiritual heritage.<p><b>and said to the Hittites,</b><br>The Hittites were a group of people living in the region of Canaan during Abraham's time. They are often associated with the larger Hittite Empire, although the Hittites in Canaan were likely a distinct group. This interaction highlights the cultural and social dynamics of the time, where land transactions and negotiations were conducted with local inhabitants. Abraham's approach to the Hittites shows his respect for their customs and legal systems, as he seeks to purchase a burial site for Sarah. This act of purchasing land is significant as it represents the first legal acquisition of property in the promised land by Abraham, symbolizing a tangible step towards the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to his descendants. The Hittites' willingness to engage with Abraham also reflects the patriarch's reputation and standing among the people of the land.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, he is mourning the death of his wife, Sarah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>Abraham's wife, who has just passed away. Her death prompts the events of this chapter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/hittites.htm">Hittites</a></b><br>A group of people living in the land of Canaan. Abraham approaches them to secure a burial site for Sarah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land where Abraham and Sarah lived, and where Abraham seeks to bury Sarah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/machpelah.htm">Machpelah</a></b><br>The cave that Abraham eventually purchases from the Hittites to bury Sarah, though not mentioned in this specific verse, it is central to the chapter's events.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Abraham's approach to the Hittites demonstrates his faith in God's promises. Even in mourning, he acts with integrity and respect, trusting God to provide.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respectful_negotiation.htm">Respectful Negotiation</a></b><br>Abraham's interaction with the Hittites shows the importance of respectful and honorable dealings with others, even those who do not share our faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_promise.htm">Legacy and Promise</a></b><br>The purchase of a burial site in Canaan signifies Abraham's belief in God's promise that this land would belong to his descendants. It reminds us to live with an eternal perspective.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/grief_and_hope.htm">Grief and Hope</a></b><br>Abraham's actions after Sarah's death show that while grief is natural, hope in God's promises provides comfort and direction.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_hittites_in_hebron,_gen_23.htm">How can we verify the historical accuracy of the Hittites’ presence in Hebron as mentioned in Genesis 23:3–10? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_genesis_23_contradict_canaan's_inheritance.htm">Why does the narrative in Genesis 23 seem to contradict other passages suggesting Abraham freely inherited Canaan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_jesus'_biblical_ancestors.htm">Who are the ancestors of Jesus according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_abram's_land_promise.htm">What historical or archaeological evidence supports the claim that Abram’s descendants would inherit the land in Genesis 15:18–21? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Abraham stood up from before his dead.</span>--His first care on arriving at Hebron had been to prostrate himself in Sarah's tent, and give utterance to his grief. Only after this he rises to prepare for her burial.<p><span class= "bld">The sons of Heth.</span>--Up to this time we have read only of Amorites, Mamre and his toothers, at Hebron. It now appears that it was the property of the Hittites, a race who, while the Israelites sojourned in Egypt, became so powerful as to contend for empire with the Egyptians themselves. Their capital was Emesa in Northern Syria, and their history is now being made known to us not only by means of Egyptian records, but also of inscriptions in their own language (See Note on <a href="/genesis/10-15.htm" title="And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth,">Genesis 10:15</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Abraham stood up</span> - during the days of mourning he had been sitting on the ground; and now, his grief having moderated (Calvin), he goes out to the city gate - <span class="cmt_word">from before</span> (literally, <span class="accented">from over the face</span> of) <span class="cmt_word">his dead</span>, - "Sarah, though dead, was still his" (Wordsworth) - <span class="cmt_word">and spake unto the sons of Heth</span>. - the Hittites were descendants of Heth, the son of Canaan (<span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/genesis/10-15.htm">Genesis 10:15</a>). Cf. "daughters of Heth" (<a href="/genesis/27-46.htm">Genesis 27:46</a>) and "daughters of Canaan" (<a href="/genesis/28-1.htm">Genesis 28:1</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">saying</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/23-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Abraham</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">got up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֙קָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·qām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעַ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">beside</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his dead wife</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵת֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Hittites,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/23-3.htm">Genesis 23:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/23-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 23:3 Abraham rose up from before his dead (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/23-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 23:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 23:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/23-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 23:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 23:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>