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Genesis 23: Patriarchal Customs

The purpose of this assignment is to explain some of the customs from Patriarchal times as understood from Genesis 23.

Read Genesis 23 carefully in preparation for this assignment. Note how the chapter names Sarah at the beginning and end of the negotiations (the literary term for this is called “inclusion”). This account, which records historical details about the death and burial of Sarah, has clear marks of a biblical narrative. The narrative marks the transition to Isaac and Rebekah, the next generation. Note the repeated phrases bury my/your dead and hear (listen to) me/us in verses 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, and 15. An outline of the chapter would be:

Notice of Sarahs death 1-2
Burial arrangements 3-7
Negotiations 8-15
Price & deed 16-18
Burial of Sarah 19-20
With the help of library and/or electronic resources (for example, Bible dictionary, Bible encyclopedia, Genesis commentary) answer the questions below. When you are finished, upload your completed assignment. Remember to put your name on your paper.

List the other relatives of Abraham that were buried in this cave.
What is Abrahams position in this chapter? How does his reference to his own social standing (verse 4) and their view of him (verse 6) relate to the transactions?
How did Abraham pay for the field and cave and was that a fair price?
What does this chapter tell us about ancient Near Eastern burial customs?
How does Abraham’s purchase illustrate his faith in God (Genesis 15:18 and Hebrews 11:8 & 13)?

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