Genesis 49:32 kjv

The purchase of the field and of the cave that is therein was from the children of Heth.

Genesis 49:32 nkjv

The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth."

Genesis 49:32 niv

The field and the cave in it were bought from the Hittites."

Genesis 49:32 esv

the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites."

Genesis 49:32 nlt

It is the plot of land and the cave that my grandfather Abraham bought from the Hittites."

Genesis 49 verses

Genesis 49 32 Meaning

Genesis 49:32 confirms the legitimate ownership of the cave of Machpelah and the field surrounding it, reiterating that this burial ground was lawfully purchased by Abraham from the sons of Heth. This verse is part of Jacob's final instructions to his sons, emphasizing his desire to be buried alongside his patriarchal ancestors in a secured and consecrated family plot within the promised land. It highlights the patriarchal commitment to the land given by divine promise, even if only possessing a burial place at the time.

Genesis 49 32 Context

Genesis 49:32 is part of Jacob's deathbed blessing and prophetic pronouncements over his twelve sons, preceding his actual death and burial in Genesis 50. In this final charge, Jacob explicitly instructs his sons where and how he wishes to be buried. He reiterates that he should be interred in the cave of Machpelah, alongside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah (mentioned in the preceding verse, Gen 49:31). By specifying the purchase detail from the "sons of Heth," Jacob underscores the undisputed and legitimate ownership of this piece of land, serving as the first true physical foothold of the patriarchs in the promised land. It links his last wishes directly back to Abraham's foundational act of purchasing land from the local inhabitants, establishing a lasting legal claim to a part of Canaan, a symbolic down payment on the full inheritance yet to come for his descendants. This highlights the importance of the land promise as integral to the covenant.

Genesis 49 32 Word analysis

• the purchase (קִנְיַ֥ת, qin'yat):
  • Signifies a full, legitimate, and paid-for acquisition.
  • This is not mere occupation or a temporary right. It refers back to the meticulously documented transaction in Gen 23.
  • Emphasizes the legal basis of patriarchal ownership in the land.
  • Polemically, it contrasts with any future claims against Israel's right to the land by asserting a paid, binding transaction.
• of the field (הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה, haś-śāḏeh):
  • Refers to the surrounding plot of land, not just the cave itself.
  • Crucial for ancient Near Eastern property ownership, where land often included any structures or features within it.
  • The purchase covered the entire property, demonstrating complete control.
• and of the cave (וְהַמְּעָרָ֣ה, wəhammə‘ārāh):
  • The primary object of the original purchase in Gen 23.
  • Designates the specific burial site, holy to the patriarchs.
  • Its mention emphasizes its central role as the family sepulcher and a physical manifestation of the promise of land.
• that is in it (אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֑הּ, ’ăšer-bāh):
  • Simple pre-positional phrase.
  • Literally "which in it."
  • Precise spatial identifier, ensuring no ambiguity about the purchased property.
  • It specifies the cave's location within the field, reinforcing the completeness of the single transaction.
• from the sons of Heth (מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵי־חֵֽת, mē’êṯ bənê-ḥêṯ):
  • Identifies the original sellers, the Hittites (a major people group in Canaan at the time).
  • Their role in the sale (Gen 23) legitimizes the transaction from a human-legal perspective.
  • Underscores that the land was not simply taken, but acquired through an agreed-upon legal process.
  • Highlights the Abrahamic covenant's interaction with prevailing human customs and laws.

Word-groups by word-group analysis:

• "the purchase of the field and of the cave that is in it": This phrase precisely defines the purchased property: the field and its embedded cave. It reflects ancient property descriptions that detailed boundaries and included features. It signifies permanent, undisputed possession.
• "from the sons of Heth": This specifies the original parties involved in the transaction. By naming "the sons of Heth," Jacob (through the narrator) validates the historical veracity and legal propriety of the acquisition. This prevents any future claims that the land was obtained unjustly or was not fully Israelite property.

Genesis 49 32 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the burial of the patriarchs in the land of Canaan, specifically in Machpelah, served as a theological statement. It demonstrated that even in death, they remained connected to the divine promise of land inheritance, living out their faith that God would indeed bring their descendants into full possession. This consistent focus on a purchased burial ground, rather than a gift or an occupied territory, solidifies the unique position of Abraham and his lineage as a people whose initial physical presence in the promised land was legally established and paid for, foreshadowing their eventual rightful claim to the entirety of Canaan. It connects faith not only to divine promise but also to earthly, legal realities.

Genesis 49 32 Commentary

Genesis 49:32, though a simple descriptive clause within Jacob's final instructions, is profound in its understated significance. It reinforces the legal and historical fact of the patriarchal claim to the land of Canaan, starting with a legitimate purchase. The detail of the "purchase from the sons of Heth" grounds the abstract promise of land in concrete reality, providing a tangible example of divine faithfulness. It assures Jacob's sons of the legitimacy of their ancestral burial place and implicitly, their eventual full inheritance. This purchased land, though only a burial plot, became the first permanent dwelling and symbolic 'footprint' of the chosen people in the promised land, secured through a legal act of faith. It represents a "down payment" on God's covenant pledge. The secure possession of this tomb expressed their hope in a future inheritance and a resting place that pointed beyond death to God's enduring covenant.