Topical Encyclopedia Sarah, originally named Sarai, is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known as the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. Her life and legacy are integral to the narrative of the patriarchs in the Book of Genesis. Sarah's death and burial are significant events that mark the end of her earthly journey and highlight the customs and practices of burial during the patriarchal period.Death of Sarah Sarah lived to be 127 years old, a testament to her long and eventful life. Her death is recorded in Genesis 23:1-2: "Now Sarah lived to be 127 years old. She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn and to weep for her." The location of her death, Kiriath-arba, later known as Hebron, is significant as it situates her passing within the Promised Land, underscoring the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and his descendants. The mourning of Sarah by Abraham is a poignant moment, reflecting the deep bond between them and the sorrow of losing a beloved spouse. Abraham's weeping and mourning are expressions of genuine grief, illustrating the human experience of loss even among the faithful. Burial of Sarah Following her death, Abraham sought to secure a burial place for Sarah, which led to a significant transaction with the Hittites. Genesis 23:3-4 records Abraham's request: "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 negotiation with Ephron the Hittite for the cave of Machpelah is detailed in Genesis 23:8-16. Despite being offered the land as a gift, Abraham insisted on purchasing it, ensuring a legal and permanent possession. The transaction is meticulously recorded, emphasizing the importance of the site: "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 as his property in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city" (Genesis 23:17-18). The burial of Sarah in the cave of Machpelah is described in Genesis 23:19: "After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan." This burial site would later become the family tomb, where Abraham himself, along with Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah, would also be laid to rest. Sarah's death and burial not only mark the end of her personal account but also establish a tangible connection to the land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. Her burial in Canaan signifies the beginning of the fulfillment of God's covenant, as the patriarchal family roots itself in the land that would become central to the history of Israel. 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 25:10 Library Abraham --The Father of the Faithful. Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary. The Book of Jubilees Resources Who was Hagar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Ishmael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org How many wives did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sarah: Also Called Sarai is Sterile; Gives Her Handmaiden, Hagar, to Abraham As a Concubine Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Character of Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Death and Burial of Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Gives Birth to Isaac Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Her Jealousy of Hagar Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Her Miraculous Conception of Isaac Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Name Changed from Sarai to Sarah Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Near of Kin to Abraham Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Wife of Abraham Related Terms |
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