Sad news followed – Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (Hebron) at the age of 127 years. So far as I know, Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose age at death is recorded. (v1,2) She also gets a mention in Hebrews 11:11-13 as a woman of faith. Abraham mourned and wept for her and so did Isaac at the loss of his mother (see chapter 24:67). This was genuine sorrow at their loss and there is nothing wrong with mourning the loss of a loved-one even though as believers it is not the end, and we shall meet again. This is a touching story of death, and it cannot fail to produce sorrow in those who are left to mourn. However, the Bible says that we do not sorrow as those who have no hope. For the believer there is the certain hope of resurrection.
In verses 3-20 Abraham negotiated, firstly, with the sons of Heth for land in which to bury Sarah. Abraham went to them in humility, recognising that he was a foreigner and visitor in their land. They answered him and said that he was a mighty prince, and he could have the choicest of land. He was honoured and asked them to speak to Ephron the son of Zohar for the cave of Machpelah at the end of one of his fields and offers to pay the full price for it. He had earlier built an altar there (see 13:18). Ephron offered the field and the cave free of charge, but Abraham determined to pay. Ephron said it was worth 400 shekels of silver but that was nothing between them. Abraham, however, gave him 400 shekels of silver which was merchant’s currency. I gather that the price was perhaps inflated and inviting offers but Abraham, being the true gentleman and God-fearing man that he was, paid the full price for it.
We are often looking for bargains and there is nothing wrong with being good stewards, but if our Christian testimony is at stake, we should be honest and prudent in our dealings. Abraham could have said that God had given him all this land, but he didn’t demand his rights, he paid the full price for it. He was determined that Sarah would be buried in his own land. He would not be a debtor to those who lived in the land which God had said would be his.
Abraham and Ephron exchanged, and the field and the cave became Abraham’s by legal right, and he buried Sarah in the cave at Machpelah. This was the first recorded burial in the Bible. It also became the burial place of other family members and descendants.
