Genesis 23 begins with the death of Abraham’s wife Sarah in Hebron. Abraham suddenly needs to find a suitable place to bury her.
At the time of Sarah’s death, Abraham had been living in the Land of Canaan for over 60 years. But he never owned any land.
Genesis 23 – The Negotiation
The main focus of the chapter is the delicate negotiation between Abraham and the children of Heth.
Abraham knows he wants to buy the Cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:9). But first he has to be sure that the leaders of Heth will let him bury Sarah in Hebron.
Abraham comes to the leaders and says to them:
4. I am an alien and a resident with you; give me possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead from before me.
Genesis 23:4 Explained
Let’s try to understand each phrase in our verse.
an alien (Hebrew: ger) and a resident (Hebrew: toshav) with you
The commentators are divided about whether to treat alien and resident as 1 concept or 2 separate concepts. Those who view these words as 2 concepts then need to explain the implication of each word.
1 Concept
Ibn Ezra writes that “alien (ger)” by itself means a person who has not settled in a place. When the words alien and resident are used together it means that the person is a resident alien, one concept. That is, a person from another place that is making the new place his home.
Ibn Ezra would translate the verse this way: I am a resident alien with you …
The Jewish Publication Society follows this approach in their translations.
2 Concepts
Most commentators adopt the approach that alien and resident are two contradictory concepts. In other words, when Abraham applies both terms to himself it’s to convey two messages to the children of Heth.
Rashi begins by explaining that Abraham tells them he’s an alien from another land (ger) and he’s been dwelling with them (toshav) for a long time. This is Abraham just sharing his background with the leaders of Hebron.
Rashi also quotes a midrash that Abraham is offering them a choice of how they can treat him.
It’s as if Abraham says: If you want, I’m an alien and I’m willing to pay for a burial place for Sarah. But, if you are not willing to sell it to me, then I’m a resident and I will take it based on the law because God has said to me (Genesis 12:7) “to your seed will I give this land.”
Sforno writes that Abraham is not stating a threat. He is explaining to the children of Heth his dilemma.
Because he’s an alien he doesn’t have a burial place. But because he’s now a resident and intends to stay he needs a burial place in the Land of Canaan.
According to Ramban it was the custom for each family to have a burial place but aliens were buried in a separate cemetery. Abraham admits that he is an alien but now is asking to be treated as a resident.
Tzror Hamor views Abraham as being careful with his approach to the children of Heth. He begins modestly about his status stating that he is an alien. He did this because he needed their help.
Then he said that he is also a resident because he has lived among them for many years. On the basis of being a resident he asks for a burying place.
give me
Are the words “give me” meant to be understood literally that Abraham was not willing to pay for a burial place?
Rashi’s reference to the midrash may be taking “give me” in that literal sense.
However, most commentators do not understand “give me” literally.
When Abraham says “give me,” he is just starting a discussion.
Efron, the current owner of the cave, tells Abraham that he will give him the field (Genesis 23:11). Abraham knows that he will have to pay for the field and asks for a price (23:13).
Efron states a high price. But Abraham does not haggle and begins making the payment. I think Abraham’s action demonstrates that he always intended to pay for the field and the Cave of Machpelah.
possession of a burying place
The main idea in this phrase is that Abraham wants to purchase more than just a single plot to bury Sarah.
As Rashi writes, he wants a possession of land for a cemetery.
Rashbam adds that designating a place as a cemetery could only be done with the permission of the people of the city. That is why Genesis 23:17-20 emphasizes that Abraham’s purchase of the land and burial of Sarah was done before all of the children of Heth.
The Steinsaltz Chumash translates this phrase as “a burial portion.” Abraham wanted a portion of land that would serve as a family burial plot that would be passed down to the coming generations.
that I may bury my dead from before me
Why does Abraham say “from before me”? He did not bring Sarah’s body with him to his meeting with the leaders of Hebron.
Malbim writes that “from before me” means that Abraham will not consider that he has properly buried Sarah unless it’s in a burial site that is for the entire family.
The Timing of Abraham’s Claim
According to the midrash cited by Rashi, Abraham is making a claim that God has given him the Land of Canaan.
But, back in Genesis 13 Abraham did not claim any ownership.
7. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle…
According to Rashi their dispute was about where cattle could graze.
According to Lot’s herdsmen, they could graze anywhere because the land was given to Abraham. Since Abraham didn’t have any children, then Lot would inherit the land. They claimed this gave them the right to graze in every place.
But according to Abraham, God had not yet given the land to him. He had promised it, but had not given Abraham possession yet.
7. And the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, To your seed will I give this land; and there he built an altar to the Lord, Who appeared to him.
Chizkuni writes that God promised the Land not to Abraham but to his seed. In Genesis 13 he did not yet have any children.
But now, in Genesis 23, he has his son Isaac who will be his heir. Therefore, Abraham is willing, if necessary, to assert his rights to the Land.