Discuss Genesis 23


Genesis 23 KJV Bible discussions
 
  • T Levis - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Faith,

    It's interesting what is mentioned after: Genesis 22:19, Abraham dwelt in Beersheba, Sarah died in Kirijatharba Genesis 23:2, & Abraham came to mourn for Sarah.
  • Ishmael returned only for the funeral of Abraham - In Reply on Genesis 25 - 1 year ago
    What does Genesis 25:9 mean?

    Genesis 23 describes in detail Abraham's acquisition of the cave of Machpelah immediately following the death of Sarah. Now Isaac and Ishmael reunite to bury Abraham's body in that cave alongside Sarah.

    Abraham had sent away Ishmael, along with his mother Hagar. Ishmael was 16 or so and Isaac was around two ( Genesis 21:8-14). Now the step-brothers would be somewhere around 89 and 75, respectively. Ishmael's presence at Abraham's burial may imply there was some contact between Isaac and his birth family over the years.

    Despite this meeting to honor their father, God's prophetic remarks about Ishmael would prove true

    ( Genesis 16:11-12). Ishmael's descendants would become the Enemies of Israel.

    Genesis 25:1-18 adds details before describing the deaths of Abraham and then Ishmael. Abraham has taken another wife, (not Hagar) other than Sarah, and has six sons with her. He gives them gifts but sends them all away to the EAST.

    Isaac will be his sole true heir. Still, when Abraham dies and is buried at the age of 175, Ishmael joins Isaac for the funeral. Ishmael's 12 sons are listed, along with a description of the region their tribes settled in. Finally, Ishmael dies, as well, at the age of 137.
  • Chris - In Reply on Deuteronomy 8 - 2 years ago
    Hello James. As far as I know, the Bible is silent on this topic, probably because it was not a practice of God's people, rather more in line to what the heathen would do. The references that come up are found in the Old Testament: 1 Samuel 31:11-13; Amos 2:1; Leviticus 20:14. However, Israel generally resorted to burial in a tomb, cave or ground: Genesis 23:19; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Matthew 27:57-60.

    So, the Church is not given a specific direction on this, as ultimately, the body returns to dust "from whence it came" ( Ecclesiastes 12:7). It then becomes the decision by the family of the departed to have a burial or a cremation, depending on preference, costs, or availability. My choice would always be for a burial, in line with what was practised by Israel.


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