Sarah's Death and the Purchase of Her Burial Place

Sarah lived 127 years. She died at Kiriath Arba, also called Hebron, in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

Then Abraham spoke to the children of Heth. He said that he was living among them as a stranger and asked for a burial place, so that he could bury his dead. The people answered respectfully and said he could use the best of their tombs.

Abraham bowed to the people of the land and asked them to speak to Ephron son of Zohar for him. Abraham wanted the cave of Machpelah, at the end of Ephron’s field, and he asked to buy it for the full price as a burial place.

Ephron answered in front of the people at the city gate and said he would give Abraham the field and the cave. But Abraham bowed again and insisted on paying. Ephron named the price as four hundred shekels of silver, and Abraham weighed out the silver by the merchants’ standard.

So the field of Ephron at Machpelah, the cave in it, and all the trees within its borders were deeded to Abraham in the presence of the children of Heth. After that, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre, that is, Hebron, in the land of Canaan. The field and cave became his burial possession. How does Abraham’s careful payment show honour in this time of grief?