Where the Patriarchs Sleep

Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.

Genesis 23:1-2

During my first Israel trip 10 years ago, my group visited the traditional Cave of Machpelah in Hebron. When Abraham’s wife Sarah died, he bought the cave for her burial. Upon his death, his sons buried him there, too. Two generations later it is mentioned again by Jacob: “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite, the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan, which Abraham bought as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite, along with the field. There Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah were buried, and there I buried Leah” (Genesis 49:29b-31).

There is a modern building built over the traditional cave in Hebron. Originally constructed by Herod the Great (the Herod of the Christmas story), it has been in use ever since. It’s undergone transformations over time, but (from what I understand) the core structure remains the same. Herod originally built it for his Jewish subjects. Over time the building transitioned in ownership between Christians and Muslims, too. Today the building is divided into Jewish and Muslims sections. There are six cenotaphs (false tombs) memorializing each of the six buried there. While I can’t say for sure that this is the right place, it’s in the appropriate area, and there is a small cave system underneath the building so perhaps the tradition is accurate.

Outside the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

Some Jewish sources refer to the patriarchs as “those who sleep in Hebron”. While they have died, their lives were for more than their lifespans. The book of Hebrews puts it beautifully:

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:13-16

They saw something bigger than themselves. Even though they didn’t see God’s promises fulfilled, they were content, having faith that God will work out his plan. What about you?

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