Genesis 23:14 Ephron answered Abraham,
Some variation of the phrase “bury your dead” is repeated seven times in this short chapter. SEVEN. That feels significant to me somehow, especially since the number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection. My brief internet search didn’t reveal any insight into the significance, though, and neither did my commentary reading.
Genesis 23:15 “Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”
I will say that death and grief are hard for me, for most of us. Our culture doesn’t really teach us how to live with death, how to handle it in a way that honors our grief, that honors our loved ones. If it were Jesus saying, “Bury your dead” in this chapter, I would think the message is to not get so consumed in our grief that we lose sight of our purpose–to shine His light while we are here. Maybe it’s a reminder of the eternal hope of heaven, that we will see them again one day?
Genesis 23:16a Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites:
Precious Savior, Death, grief, and loss are hard for so many of us. I don’t know the significance of the repetition of “bury your dead,” but I know for certain it isn’t You calling us to “shake it off” and move on. I think You don’t want us to get mired in those feelings of grief and loss. You want us to have hope in You. Always. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 23:16b four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants.
Have a blessed day.