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Genesis 49:30 - Avraham's sacred burial purchase

Genesis 49:30 - בראשית 49:30

Hebrew Text

בַּמְּעָרָה אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׂדֵה הַמַּכְפֵּלָה אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי־מַמְרֵא בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן אֲשֶׁר קָנָה אַבְרָהָם אֶת־הַשָּׂדֶה מֵאֵת עֶפְרֹן הַחִתִּי לַאֲחֻזַּת־קָבֶר׃

English Translation

in the cave that is in the field of Makhpela, which is before Mamre, in the land of Kena῾an, which Avraham bought with the field from ῾Efron the Ḥittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

Transliteration

Bame'ara asher bisdei hamakhpela asher al-pnei-mamre be'eretz kena'an asher kana Avraham et-hasade me'et Efron hachiti la'achuzat-kaver.

Hebrew Leining Text

בַּמְּעָרָ֞ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בִּשְׂדֵ֧ה הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־פְּנֵי־מַמְרֵ֖א בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן אֲשֶׁר֩ קָנָ֨ה אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה מֵאֵ֛ת עֶפְרֹ֥ן הַחִתִּ֖י לַאֲחֻזַּת־קָֽבֶר׃
בַּמְּעָרָ֞ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בִּשְׂדֵ֧ה הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־פְּנֵי־מַמְרֵ֖א בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן אֲשֶׁר֩ קָנָ֨ה אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה מֵאֵ֛ת עֶפְרֹ֥ן הַחִתִּ֖י לַאֲחֻזַּת־קָֽבֶר׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Significance of Me'arat HaMachpela

The verse describes the Cave of Machpela, which Avraham Avinu purchased as a burial site. According to Rashi (Bereshit 23:9), this cave was chosen because it was the burial place of Adam and Chava, making it a site of immense kedusha (holiness). The Midrash (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 36) further explains that Avraham specifically sought this location because he recognized its spiritual significance as the gateway to Gan Eden.

The Purchase from Efron the Hittite

The Torah emphasizes that Avraham bought the field from Efron the Hittite, despite being promised the entire land by Hashem. Ramban (Bereshit 23:19) notes that Avraham insisted on paying full price to avoid any future disputes and to establish clear ownership according to civil law. This teaches the importance of maintaining ethical business practices even when divine promises are involved.

The Location: Facing Mamre

The cave is described as being "before Mamre." Rashi explains that Mamre was Avraham's ally who advised him regarding the bris milah (Bereshit 14:13). The Talmud (Sotah 10a) suggests that this location was chosen because Mamre had shown support for Avraham's covenant with Hashem, and thus merited having this holy site associated with his name.

The Name "Machpela"

  • The Talmud (Eruvin 53a) offers two explanations for the name Machpela:
  • It comes from the word "kefulah" (doubled), referring to the cave's double chambers
  • It alludes to the couples buried there: Adam and Chava, Avraham and Sarah, Yitzchak and Rivka, Yaakov and Leah

Legal Aspects of the Purchase

The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 23:20) highlights how the Torah uses the term "achuzat kever" (burial possession) rather than simply "kever." This teaches that a burial site must be an eternal, unchanging possession that cannot be repurposed - a principle that forms the basis for Jewish laws regarding the permanence of cemeteries.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 58a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the purchase of the Cave of Makhpela by Abraham, emphasizing the legal and historical significance of the transaction.
📖 Eruvin 53a
Mentioned in the context of discussing the boundaries and locations of significant biblical sites, including Mamre and the Cave of Makhpela.
📖 Sotah 13a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the burial places of the patriarchs and the importance of the Cave of Makhpela as a burial site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the Cave of Machpelah?
A: The Cave of Machpelah is the burial place of the Jewish patriarchs and matriarchs (Avraham, Sarah, Yitzchak, Rivka, Yaakov, and Leah). It is considered a holy site in Judaism because it connects us to our ancestors and symbolizes the eternal bond between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.
Q: Why did Avraham buy the field from Efron the Hittite?
A: Avraham wanted to ensure a permanent Jewish burial site in the Land of Israel. By purchasing it legally from Efron (as recorded in Genesis 23), he established Jewish ownership of the land. The Talmud (Sotah 13a) notes that this was one of three places where the nations of the world could never claim Jews stole the land, since it was properly acquired.
Q: Where is the Cave of Machpelah located today?
A: The Cave of Machpelah is in the city of Hebron (Chevron) in Israel. Today, there is a large structure built over the cave called the 'Tomb of the Patriarchs' (Me'arat HaMachpelah), which is a major site of Jewish prayer and pilgrimage.
Q: Why does the Torah mention the purchase details of the cave?
A: Rashi explains that the Torah repeats these details to emphasize the legal validity of Avraham's purchase. This shows the importance of having a clear Jewish claim to this holy site and to the Land of Israel in general. The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 7:14) also cites this as proof of Jewish rights to the land.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Avraham buying the burial cave?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 79:7) teaches that this shows the importance of preparing for burial needs in advance with dignity. Additionally, it demonstrates Avraham's faith - though G-d promised him the entire land, he willingly paid for this small portion, showing his trust that the rest would come in due time.