King James Version

What Does Genesis 23:19 Mean?

Genesis 23:19 in the King James Version says “And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.”

Genesis 23:19 · KJV

Context

17

And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure

18

Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

19

And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.

20

And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.

Read Genesis 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: th... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How should this truth about Faith's Inheritance shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאַֽחֲרֵי1 of 18

“And after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כֵן֩2 of 18

“this”

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

קָבַ֨ר3 of 18

“buried”

H6912

to inter

אַבְרָהָ֜ם4 of 18

“Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֶת5 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָׂרָ֣ה6 of 18

“Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ7 of 18

“his wife”

H802

a woman

אֶל8 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְעָרַ֞ת9 of 18

“in the cave”

H4631

a cavern (as dark)

שְׂדֵ֧ה10 of 18

“of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛ה11 of 18

“of Machpelah”

H4375

makpelah, a place in palestine

עַל12 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י13 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מַמְרֵ֖א14 of 18

“Mamre”

H4471

mamre, an amorite

הִ֣וא15 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חֶבְר֑וֹן16 of 18

“the same is Hebron”

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

בְּאֶ֖רֶץ17 of 18

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנָֽעַן׃18 of 18

“of Canaan”

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 23:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 23:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 3:19Genesis 25:9-10Ecclesiastes 12:7Genesis 47:30Genesis 35:27-29Genesis 49:29-32

Places in This Verse

CanaanRegion · Modern: Canaan · 32.77°N, 35.33°E101 verses across 16 books
HebronSettlement · Modern: Tel Rumeida · 31.53°N, 35.10°E62 verses across 10 books
MachpelahSettlement · Modern: Cave of the Patriarchs · 31.52°N, 35.11°E6 verses across 1 book
MamreSettlement · Modern: Ramat el Khalil · 31.56°N, 35.11°E6 verses across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 23 →

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