Genesis 23
Commentary from 3 fathers
AND the life of Sarrha was an hundred and twenty-seven years.
ΕΓΕΝΕΤΟ δὲ ἡ ζωὴ Σάρρας ἔτη ἑκατὸν εἰκοσιεπτά.
Бы́сть же житїѐ са́ррино лѣ́тъ сто̀ два́десѧть се́дмь.
And Abraam stood up from before his dead; and Abraam spoke to the sons of Chet, saying,
καὶ ἀνέστη ῾Αβραὰμ ἀπὸ τοῦ νεκροῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν ῾Αβραὰμ τοῖς υἱοῖς τοῦ Χὲτ λέγων·
И҆ воста̀ а҆враа́мъ ѿ мертвеца̀ своегѡ̀ и҆ речѐ сынѡ́мъ хетте́ѡвымъ, глаго́лѧ:
I am a sojourner and a stranger among you, give me therefore possession of a burying-place among you, and I will bury my dead away from me.
πάροικος καὶ παρεπίδημος ἐγώ εἰμι μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν· δότε μοι οὖν κτῆσιν τάφου μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν, καὶ θάψω τὸν νεκρόν μου ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ.
пресе́льникъ и҆ пришле́цъ а҆́зъ є҆́смь ᲂу҆ ва́съ, дади́те мѝ ᲂу҆̀бо стѧжа́нїе гро́ба междꙋ̀ ва́ми, да погребꙋ̀ мертвеца̀ моего̀ ѿ менє̀.
And the sons of Chet answered to Abraam, saying, Not so, Sir,
ἀπεκρίθησαν δὲ οἱ υἱοὶ Χὲτ πρὸς ῾Αβραὰμ λέγοντες· μὴ κύριε·
Ѿвѣща́ша же сы́нове хетте́ѡвы ко а҆враа́мꙋ, глаго́люще: нѝ, господи́не:
but hear us; thou art in the midst of us a king from God; bury thy dead in our choice sepulchres, for not one of us will by any means withhold his sepulchre from thee, so that thou shouldest not bury thy dead there.
ἄκουσον δὲ ἡμῶν. βασιλεὺς παρὰ Θεοῦ σὺ εἶ ἐν ἡμῖν· ἐν τοῖς ἐκλεκτοῖς μνημείοις ἡμῶν θάψον τὸν νεκρόν σου· οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἡμῶν οὐ μὴ κωλύσει τὸ μνημεῖον αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ σοῦ τοῦ θάψαι τὸν νεκρόν σου ἐκεῖ.
послꙋ́шай же на́съ: ца́рь ѿ бг҃а ты̀ є҆сѝ въ на́съ: во и҆збра́нныхъ гробѣ́хъ на́шихъ погребѝ мертвеца̀ твоего̀: никто́же бо ѿ на́съ возбрани́тъ гро́ба своегѡ̀ ѿ тебє̀, є҆́же погребстѝ мертвеца̀ твоего̀ та́мѡ.
Sarah’s death was the occasion for the patriarch’s first instance of acquiring land. Sacred Scripture in fact shows us in every case the patriarch’s virtue, in that he passed all his time as an alien and a nomad. And it mentions this latest item for us to learn that the man who enjoyed so much assistance from on high, who had become so famous and had increased in number to such a vast multitude, could not call a place his own, unlike many people today, who give all their attention to acquiring land, whole towns and great wealth beyond telling. You see, he had sufficient riches in his attitude, and he put no store by these other things. Let those heed this who in the twinkling of an eye take to themselves every conceivable thing and, so to say, stretch out in all directions their passion for avarice. Let them also imitate the patriarch, who had not even a place to inter Sarah’s remains until, under pressure of very necessity, he bought the field and cave from the Hittites. For proof that he was in fact respected by the inhabitants of Canaan, listen to the words addressed to him by the Hittites: “You are king among us by God’s appointment; bury your dead in our best tombs. None of us, after all, will keep this tomb from you.”
Homilies on Genesis 48.2
And Abraam rose up and did obeisance to the people of the land, to the sons of Chet.
ἀναστὰς δὲ ῾Αβραὰμ προσεκύνησε τῷ λαῷ τῆς γῆς, τοῖς υἱοῖς τοῦ Χέτ,
Воста́въ же а҆враа́мъ поклони́сѧ наро́дꙋ землѝ, сынѡ́мъ хетте́ѡвымъ,
And Abraam spoke to them, saying, If ye have it in your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hearken to me, and speak for me to Ephron the son of Saar.
καὶ ἐλάλησε πρὸς αὐτοὺς ῾Αβραὰμ λέγων· εἰ ἔχετε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν, ὥστε θάψαι τὸν νεκρόν μου ἀπὸ προσώπου μου, ἀκούσατέ μου καὶ λαλήσατε περὶ ἐμοῦ Ἐφρὼν τῷ τοῦ Σαάρ,
и҆ речѐ къ ни̑мъ а҆враа́мъ, глаго́лѧ: а҆́ще и҆́мате въ дꙋшѝ ва́шей, ꙗ҆́кѡ погребстѝ мертвеца̀ моего̀ ѿ лица̀ моегѡ̀, послꙋ́шайте менѐ и҆ рцы́те ѡ҆ мнѣ̀ є҆фрѡ́нꙋ саа́ровꙋ:
And let him give me the double cave which he has, which is in a part of his field, let him give it me for the money it is worth for possession of a burying-place among you.
καὶ δότω μοι τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ διπλοῦν, ὅ ἐστιν αὐτῷ, τὸ ὂν ἐν μέρει τοῦ ἀγροῦ αὐτοῦ· ἀργυρίου τοῦ ἀξίου δότω μοι αὐτὸ ἐν ὑμῖν εἰς κτῆσιν μνημείου.
и҆ да да́стъ мѝ пеще́рꙋ сꙋгꙋ́бꙋю, ꙗ҆́же є҆́сть є҆гѡ̀, сꙋ́щꙋю на ча́сти села̀ є҆гѡ̀: сребро́мъ досто́йнымъ да да́стъ мѝ ю҆̀ ᲂу҆ ва́съ въ стѧжа́нїе гро́ба.
Now Ephron was sitting in the midst of the children of Chet, and Ephron the Chettite answered Abraam and spoke in the hearing of the sons of Chet, and of all who entered the city, saying,
᾿Εφρὼν δὲ ἐκάθητο ἐν μέσῳ τῶν υἱῶν Χέτ· ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ᾿Εφρὼν ὁ Χετταῖος πρὸς ῾Αβραὰμ εἶπεν, ἀκουόντων τῶν υἱῶν Χὲτ καὶ τῶν εἰσπορευομένων εἰς τὴν πόλιν πάντων, λέγων·
Є҆фрѡ́нъ же сѣдѧ́ше посредѣ̀ сынѡ́въ хетте́овыхъ. Ѿвѣща́въ же є҆фрѡ́нъ хетте́йскїй ко а҆враа́мꙋ, речѐ слы́шащымъ сынѡ́мъ хетте́ѡвымъ и҆ всѣ̑мъ приходѧ́щымъ во гра́дъ, глаго́лѧ:
Attend to me, my lord, and hear me, I give to thee the field and the cave which is in it; I have given it thee before all my countrymen; bury thy dead.
παρ᾿ ἐμοὶ γενοῦ, κύριε, καὶ ἄκουσόν μου· τὸν ἀγρὸν καὶ τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ σοὶ δίδωμι· ἐναντίον πάντων τῶν πολιτῶν μου δέδωκά σοι· θάψον τὸν νεκρόν σου·
ᲂу҆ менє̀ бꙋ́ди, господи́не, и҆ послꙋ́шай менѐ: село̀ и҆ пеще́рꙋ ꙗ҆́же въ не́мъ, тебѣ̀ даю̀: пред̾ всѣ́ми гра́жданы мои́ми да́хъ тебѣ̀, погребѝ мертвеца̀ твоего̀.
And Abraam did obeisance before the people of the land.
καὶ προσεκύνησεν ῾Αβραὰμ ἐναντίον τοῦ λαοῦ τῆς γῆς
И҆ поклони́сѧ а҆враа́мъ пред̾ наро́домъ землѝ
And he said in the ears of Ephron before the people of the land, Since thou art on my side, hear me; take the price of the field from me, and I will bury my dead there.
καὶ εἶπε τῷ ᾿Εφρὼν εἰς τὰ ὦτα ἐναντίον τοῦ λαοῦ τῆς γῆς· ἐπειδὴ πρὸς ἐμοῦ εἶ, ἄκουσόν μου· τὸ ἀργύριον τοῦ ἀγροῦ λάβε παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ, καὶ θάψω τὸν νεκρόν μου ἐκεῖ.
и҆ речѐ є҆фрѡ́нꙋ во ᲂу҆шеса̀ пред̾ всѣ́мъ наро́домъ землѝ: поне́же по мнѣ̀ є҆сѝ, послꙋ́шай менѐ: сребро̀ села̀ возмѝ ᲂу҆ менє̀, и҆ погребꙋ̀ мертвеца̀ моего̀ та́мѡ.
Notice, however, how the good man instructs even those people with his characteristic common sense, through his very actions, by forbearing to take possession of it before paying a just price. “Even if you for your part … have proved so kindly disposed toward me, I still cannot bring myself to take the tomb from you unless first I pay the proper price.” He gave them money, the text says, took possession of the tomb “and buried his wife Sarah in the double cave of the field overlooking Mamre.” The man who was so famous and respected, who enjoyed such confidence with God and was the object of such attention from everyone, so to say, in that place that even the Hittites called him king—he owned not even one foot of land. Hence blessed Paul also celebrated this good man’s virtue in writing these words: “By faith Abraham dwelt in the land of promise, like a foreigner living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise.” Then to teach us how it was through faith that he dwelt there, he added, “He looked forward, you see, to the city built on foundations of which the builder and creator was God.” In the hope of things to come, he is saying, he overlooked present realities, and, in the expectation of greater things, he set less store by those of this life—and this before the law and the age of grace.So what excuse will we have, tell me, who despite such wonderful promises and guarantees of ineffable blessings hanker for present realities, buying up property, ever concerned for our image, amassing all these possessions out of greed and avarice and fulfilling in practice what the blessed prophet said in his lament, “Woe to those who pile house on house and add property to property for the purpose of robbing their neighbor of something.” Do we not see this happening each day—widows being robbed, orphans despoiled and the weak oppressed by the strong? This good man, on the contrary, did not behave in that fashion; instead, he insisted on buying the tomb, and, when he saw those from whom he sought it ready and willing to hand it over, he could not bring himself to accept it before he paid the right price.
Homilies on Genesis 48.3-4
But Ephron answered Abraam, saying,
ἀπεκρίθη δὲ ᾿Εφρὼν τῷ ᾿Αβραὰμ λέγων·
Ѿвѣща́ же є҆фрѡ́нъ а҆враа́мꙋ, глаго́лѧ:
Nay, my lord, I have heard indeed, the land [is worth] four hundred silver didrachmas, but what can this be between me and thee? nay, do thou bury thy dead.
οὐχὶ κύριε, ἀκήκοα γάρ, γῆ τετρακοσίων διδράχμων ἀργυρίου, ἀλλὰ τί ἂν εἴη τοῦτο ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ; σὺ δὲ τὸν νεκρόν σου θάψον.
нѝ, господи́не: слы́шахъ бо, ꙗ҆́кѡ землѧ̀ четы́рехъ сѡ́тъ дїдра́хмъ сребра̀: но что̀ бы́ло бы сїѐ междꙋ̀ мно́ю и҆ тобо́ю; ты́ же мертвеца̀ твоего̀ погребѝ.
And Abraam hearkened to Ephron, and Abraam rendered to Ephron the money, which he mentioned in the ears of the sons of Chet, four hundred didrachmas of silver approved with merchants.
καὶ ἤκουσεν ῾Αβραὰμ τοῦ ᾿Εφρών, καὶ ἀποκατέστησεν ῾Αβραὰμ τῷ ᾿Εφρὼν τὸ ἀργύριον, ὃ ἐλάλησεν εἰς τὰ ὦτα τῶν υἱῶν Χέτ, τετρακόσια δίδραχμα ἀργυρίου δοκίμου ἐμπόροις.
И҆ послꙋ́ша а҆враа́мъ є҆фрѡ́на, и҆ дадѐ а҆враа́мъ є҆фрѡ́нꙋ сребро̀, є҆́же глаго́ла во ᲂу҆шеса̀ сынѡ́въ хетте́овыхъ, четы́ре ста̀ дїдра́хмъ сребра̀ и҆скꙋше́на кꙋпца́ми.
And the field of Ephron, which was in Double Cave, which is opposite Mambre, the field and the cave, which was in it, and every tree which was in the field, and whatever is in its borders round about, were made sure
καὶ ἔστη ὁ ἀγρὸς ᾿Εφρών, ὃς ἦν ἐν τῷ διπλῷ σπηλαίῳ, ὅς ἐστι κατὰ πρόσωπον Μαμβρῆ, ὁ ἀγρὸς καὶ τὸ σπήλαιον, ὃ ἦν ἐν αὐτῷ, καὶ πᾶν δένδρον, ὃ ἦν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ, καὶ πᾶν ὅ ἐστιν ἐν τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτοῦ κύκλῳ,
И҆ бы́сть село̀ є҆фрѡ́ново, є҆́же бѣ̀ въ сꙋгꙋ́бѣй пеще́рѣ, є҆́же є҆́сть лице́мъ къ мамврі́и, село̀ и҆ пеще́ра ꙗ҆́же бѣ̀ въ не́мъ, и҆ всѧ́кое дре́во, є҆́же бѣ̀ на селѣ̀, и҆ всѐ є҆́же є҆́сть въ предѣ́лѣхъ є҆гѡ̀ ѡ҆́крестъ,
to Abraam for a possession, before the sons of Chet, and all that entered into the city.
τῷ ῾Αβραάμ, εἰς κτῆσιν ἐναντίον τῶν υἱῶν Χὲτ καὶ πάντων τῶν εἰσπορευομένων εἰς τὴν πόλιν.
а҆враа́мꙋ (бы́сть) въ стѧжа́нїе пред̾ сы̑ны хетте́овыми и҆ пред̾ всѣ́ми приходѧ́щими во гра́дъ.
After this Abraam buried Sarrha his wife in the Double Cave of the field, which is opposite Mambre, this is Chebron in the land of Chanaan.
μετὰ ταῦτα ἔθαψεν ῾Αβραὰμ Σάρραν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ σπηλαίῳ τοῦ ἀγροῦ τῷ διπλῷ, ὅ ἐστιν ἀπέναντι Μαμβρῆ (αὕτη ἐστὶ Χεβρών) ἐν τῇ γῇ Χαναάν.
По си́хъ погребѐ а҆враа́мъ са́ррꙋ женꙋ̀ свою̀ въ пеще́рѣ се́льнѣй сꙋгꙋ́бѣй, ꙗ҆́же є҆́сть проти́вꙋ мамврі́и: сїѧ̀ є҆́сть хеврѡ́нъ въ землѝ ханаа́нстѣй.
This is the lodging place of the Lord, where an oak branch at Mamre Covered the pastoral roof of the ancient seer; in this hospice Sarah laughed at the joy of bearing a child in her old age And at the faith her venerable husband could have in the marvel. Abraham purchased a field wherein he might bury his wife’s bones, Inasmuch as justice and faith on the earth dwell as strangers: This is the cave for which he expended a great sum of money, To prepare a fit resting place for his wife’s holy ashes.
Scenes from Sacred History 4-5
So the field and the cave which was in it were made sure to Abraam for possession of a burying place, by the sons of Chet.
καὶ ἐκυρώθη ὁ ἀγρὸς καὶ τὸ σπήλαιον, ὃ ἦν ἐν αὐτῷ, τῷ ῾Αβραὰμ εἰς κτῆσιν τάφου παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Χέτ.
И҆ ᲂу҆твержде́но є҆́сть село̀ и҆ пеще́ра, ꙗ҆́же бѣ̀ на не́мъ, а҆враа́мꙋ въ стѧжа́нїе гро́ба ѿ сынѡ́въ хетте́овыхъ.
With this in mind, dearly beloved, let us who live in the age of grace imitate the man who lived before the law, not burn with desire for more and heap up for ourselves to a greater and more intense degree the fire that cannot be extinguished and the flame that is intolerable. We will hear, in fact, if we persist in such awful deeds of injustice and avarice, the words spoken to that notorious rich man, “Fool, this night they are looking for your soul from you; but as for what you have put aside, whom will it belong to?” I mean, what is the reason, dearly beloved, that you are anxious to amass so many things that you will shortly leave here, due as you are to be snatched away from the scene, not only powerless to gain any advantage from them but even saddled with the burden of sins on your own shoulders, at this stage too late for worthwhile repentance? While the goods you have amassed with avarice oftentimes finish even in the hands of enemies, you yourself will be required to give an account of them. So what folly would it be to labor for others’ benefit and pay the price for them yourself?
Homilies on Genesis 48.5
Even if in the past, however, we have to this degree managed our affairs with indifference, now at least let us plan for what is needful and not simply be anxious to bedeck ourselves with the trappings of wealth, but rather pay much attention to doing good. After all, our being will not come to an end with this present life, nor shall we be always in exile; instead, before long we shall reach our true homeland. So let us do everything in the hope of not being found wanting there. I mean, what good is it to leave behind great wealth in foreign parts while wanting for bare necessities in our true country? Consequently let us strive, dearly beloved, while there is still time, to transfer there what we own in this foreign country. Although in fact the distance may be great, nevertheless the transfer is quite easy. You see, there are those ready to make the transfer, to travel there safely and deposit in a secure treasury whatever we are able to send ahead by means of them. I mean, the hands of the poor lay up in the treasuries of heaven what is given them by us. Since then the ease and security are so great, why do we delay and not rather with all haste act on this so that we will have those things at our disposal in the place where we most have need of them?
Homilies on Genesis 48.6
And Sarrha died in the city of Arboc, which is in the valley, this is Chebron in the land of Chanaan; and Abraam came to lament for Sarrha and to mourn.
καὶ ἀπέθανε Σάρρα ἐν πόλει ᾿Αρβόκ, ἥ ἐστιν ἐν τῷ κοιλώματι (αὕτη ἐστὶ Χεβρών) ἐν τῇ γῇ Χαναάν. ἦλθε δὲ ῾Αβραὰμ κόψασθαι Σάρραν καὶ πενθῆσαι.
И҆ ᲂу҆́мре са́рра во гра́дѣ а҆рво́цѣ, и҆́же є҆́сть въ раздо́лїи: се́й є҆́сть хеврѡ́нъ въ землѝ ханаа́нстѣй. Прїи́де же а҆враа́мъ рыда́ти по са́ррѣ и҆ пла́кати.