Genesis 23:1

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Genesis 23:1 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Now Sarah lived to be 127 years old.

King James Version KJV

And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.

American Standard Version ASV

And the life of Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years: these were the years of the life of Sarah.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Now the years of Sarah's life were a hundred and twenty-seven.

Free Bible Version FBV

Sarah lived to be 127,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

When Sarah was an hundreth twentie and seuen yeere olde (so long liued she).

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the life of Sarah is a hundred and twenty and seven years — years of the life of Sarah;

World English Bible WEB

Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years. This was the length of Sarah’s life.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Sarah was a hundred and twenty-seven years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And Sara lived a hundred and twenty-seven years.

Translation for Translators T4T

When Sarah was 127 years old,

Plain English Version PEV

Sarah lived a long time. She lived until she was 127 years old.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 23:1

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 23:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יִּהְיוּ֙ חַיֵּ֣י שָׂרָ֔ה מֵאָ֥ה שָׁנָ֛ה וְ/עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְ/שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים שְׁנֵ֖י חַיֵּ֥י שָׂרָֽה

וַ/יִּהְיוּ֙ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

חַיֵּ֣י chay H2416 alive N-mp

שָׂרָ֔ה Sârâh H8283 Sarah N-proper

מֵאָ֥ה mêʼâh H3967 hundred Adj

שָׁנָ֛ה shâneh H8141 year N-fs

וְ/עֶשְׂרִ֥ים ʻesrîym H6242 twenty Conj | Adj

שָׁנָ֖ה shâneh H8141 year N-fs

וְ/שֶׁ֣בַע shebaʻ H7651 seven Conj | Adj

שָׁנִ֑ים shâneh H8141 year N-fp

שְׁנֵ֖י shâneh H8141 year Adj

חַיֵּ֥י chay H2416 alive N-mp

שָׂרָֽה Sârâh H8283 Sarah N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 23:1

וַ/יִּהְיוּ֙ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

חַיֵּ֣י chay H2416 "alive" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.

Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)

Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.

שָׂרָ֔ה Sârâh H8283 "Sarah" N-proper

Sarah was Abraham's wife and the mother of Isaac, a key figure in the book of Genesis. Her name means noblewoman, reflecting her high social status. She is first mentioned in Genesis 11:29.

Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.29; daughter of: Terah (H8646); sister of: Abraham (H0085), Nahor (H5152H) and Haran (H2039); married to Abraham (H0085); mother of: Isaac (H3327); also called Sarai at Gen.11.29,30,31; 12.5,11,17; 16.1,2,3,5,6,8; 17.15; § Sarah = "noblewoman" wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: Sarah. See also: Genesis 17:15; Genesis 21:1; Isaiah 51:2.

מֵאָ֥ה mêʼâh H3967 "hundred" Adj

Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.

Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.

שָׁנָ֛ה shâneh H8141 "year" N-fs

This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.

Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)

Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.

וְ/עֶשְׂרִ֥ים ʻesrîym H6242 "twenty" Conj | Adj

This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.

Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)

Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.

שָׁנָ֖ה shâneh H8141 "year" N-fs

This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.

Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)

Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.

וְ/שֶׁ֣בַע shebaʻ H7651 "seven" Conj | Adj

This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.

Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)

Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.

שָׁנִ֑ים shâneh H8141 "year" N-fp

This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.

Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)

Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.

שְׁנֵ֖י shâneh H8141 "year" Adj

This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.

Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)

Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.

חַיֵּ֥י chay H2416 "alive" N-mp

In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.

שָׂרָֽה Sârâh H8283 "Sarah" N-proper

Sarah was Abraham's wife and the mother of Isaac, a key figure in the book of Genesis. Her name means noblewoman, reflecting her high social status. She is first mentioned in Genesis 11:29.

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: Sarah. See also: Genesis 17:15; Genesis 21:1; Isaiah 51:2.

Study Notes — Genesis 23:1

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Genesis 23:1 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 23:1
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 23:1
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 23:1
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 23:1
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 23:1
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 23:1
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 23:1
Barnes' Notes on Genesis 23:1
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 23:1
Sermons on Genesis 23:1

Context — The Death and Burial of Sarah

1Now Sarah lived to be 127 years old.

2She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her. 3Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Genesis 17:17	Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?”

Genesis 23:1 Summary

This verse tells us that Sarah lived to be 127 years old, which is a remarkable age. It reminds us that our lives are in God's hands, and He has a plan for each of us, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. Sarah's life and death are a part of God's larger plan to fulfill His promise to Abraham, and her legacy continues to impact us today. As we reflect on Sarah's life, we can learn to trust in God's promise and provision for our own lives, just as Abraham did, and prioritize what is truly important to Him, as seen in Matthew 6:33.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is significant about Sarah's age at the time of her death?

Sarah lived to be 127 years old, which is a remarkable age, especially considering the lifespan of people during that time period, as seen in Genesis 11:32 where Sarah's father-in-law, Terah, lived to be 205 years old, and in Psalm 90:10, which says that the length of our days is seventy years, or eighty, if we have the strength.

How does Sarah's life and death relate to God's promise to Abraham?

Sarah's life and death are a part of God's larger plan to fulfill His promise to Abraham, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3, where God promises to make Abraham the father of a great nation, and in Genesis 17:15-16, where God specifically promises that Sarah will be the mother of this nation.

What can we learn from the way Sarah's life is described in this verse?

The fact that Sarah's life is described as simply living to be 127 years old, without any additional details or accomplishments, reminds us that our value and worth come from God, not from our achievements, as seen in Psalm 139:13-16, where David praises God for creating him and knowing him before he was born.

How does this verse set the stage for the rest of the chapter?

This verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter by introducing the death of Sarah, which will lead to Abraham's negotiations with the Hittites to buy a burial site for her, as seen in Genesis 23:3-20, and will ultimately point to God's faithfulness in providing for Abraham and his family, as seen in Genesis 23:17-20.

Reflection Questions

What does Sarah's life and death teach me about God's sovereignty and plan for my life?
How can I, like Sarah, trust in God's promise and provision for my life, even when I don't see the full picture?
What does this verse reveal about the importance of legacy and the impact that our lives can have on future generations?
How can I apply the lessons from Sarah's life to my own life, and what changes can I make to prioritize what is truly important to God?
What does this verse say to me about the fleeting nature of life, and how can I make the most of the time that God has given me, as seen in Psalm 90:12?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 23:1

And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old,.... This following immediately upon the account of the offering up of Isaac, led many of the Jewish writers to conclude, that Isaac was when

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 23:1

And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 23:1

GENESIS CHAPTER 23 Sarah’ s age and death; Abraham mourns, ,2. He speaks to the sons of Heth for a burying-place, ,4. They offer him the choice of their sepulchres, ,6. Abraham desires to purchase a field of Ephron, ,9. Ephron would give it him, . Abraham purchases it, and weighs the silver, . The field made sure to Abraham for a possession before witnesses, . 1860 This is the peculiar honour of Sarah the mother of the faithful, , to have the years of her life numbered in Scripture.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 23:1

Genesis 23:1 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: [these were] the years of the life of Sarah.Ver. 1. And Sarah was a hundred, &c.] It is observed by divines, that God thought not fit to tell us of the length of the life of any woman in Scripture, but Sarah, to humble that sex, that because they were first in bringing in death, deserved not to have the continuance of their lives recorded by God’ s pen.

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 23:1

XXIII. DEATH AND BURIAL OF SARAH.(1) Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old.—Sarah is the only woman whose age at her death is mentioned in the Bible, an honour doubtless given her as the ancestress of the Hebrew race (Isaiah 51:2). As she was ninety at Isaac’s birth, he would now be thirty-seven years of age.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 23:1

CHAPTER XXIII The age and death of Sarah, 1, 2. Abraham mourns for her, and requests a burial-place from the sons of Heth, 24. They freely offer him the choice of all their sepulchres, 5, 6. Abraham refuses to receive any as a free gift, and requests to buy the cave of Machpelah from Ephron, 7-9. Ephron proffers the cave and the field in which it was situated as a free gift unto Abraham, 10, 11. Abraham insists on giving its value in money, 12, 13. Ephron at last consents, and names the sum of four hundred shekels, 14, 15. Abraham weighs him the money in the presence of the people; in consequence of which the cave, the whole field, trees, c., are made sure to him and his family for a possession, 16-18. The transaction being completed, Sarah is buried in the cave, 19. The sons of Heth ratify the bargain, 20. NOTES ON CHAP. XXIII Verse 1. And Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years old] It is worthy of remark that Sarah is the only woman in the sacred writings whose age, death, and burial are distinctly noted. And she has been deemed worthy of higher honour, for St. Paul, Galatians 4:22-23, makes her a type of the Church of Christ and her faith in the accomplishment of God's promise, that she should have a son, when all natural probabilities were against it, is particularly celebrated in the Epistle to the Hebrews, Hebrews 11:11. Sarah was about ninety-one years old when Isaac was born, and she lived thirty-six years after, and saw him grown up to man's estate. With SARAH the promise of the incarnation of Christ commenced, though a comparatively obscure prophecy of it had been delivered to Eve, Genesis 3:15; and with MARY it terminated, having had its exact completion. Thus God put more honour upon these two women than upon all the daughters of Eve besides. Sarah's conception of Isaac was supernatural; she had passed the age and circumstances in which it was possible, naturally speaking, to have a child; therefore she laughed when the promise was given, knowing that the thing was impossible, because it had ceased to be with her after the manner of women. God allows this natural impossibility, and grants that the thing must be the effect of Divine interposition; and therefore asks, Is any thing too hard for God? The physical impossibility was in creased in the case of Mary, she having no connection with man; but the same power interposed as in the case of Sarah: and we find that when all aptitude for natural procreation was gone, Sarah received strength to conceive seed, and bore a son, from whom, in a direct line, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, was to descend; and through this same power we find a virgin conceiving and bearing a son against all natural impossibilities.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 23:1

1. the life of Sarah] Sarah died at the age of 127, 37 years after the birth of Isaac. Cf. Genesis 17:1; Genesis 17:17, Genesis 21:5 (P).

Barnes' Notes on Genesis 23:1

- The Death of Sarah 2. ארבע קרית qı̂ryat-'arba‛, “Qirjath-arba‘, city of Arba.” ארבע 'arba‛, “Arba‘, four.” 8. עפרון ‛eprôn, “‘Ephron, of the dust, or resembling a calf.” צחר tshochar, “Tsochar, whiteness.” 9.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 23:1

1. A hundred and seven and twenty — The only woman whose age is given in the Bible is this mother of the chosen seed.

Sermons on Genesis 23:1

	Sermon	Description
	(Genesis) 38 - Sarah's Death and the Power of the Resurrection by S. Lewis Johnson	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Genesis chapter 23 and the lessons it offers. He emphasizes the mode of life of a person of faith in dealing with the material world, using
	Through the Bible - Genesis 21-23 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as seen in the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah despite their old age. He highlights the significance of Ab
	Genesis 23:1-20 by John Calvin	John Calvin preaches about the death and burial of Sarah, highlighting Abraham's faith and reverence in securing a burial place for his wife, emphasizing the importance of honoring
	True Revival - Part 1 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a recent earthquake in Houston and connects it to the idea of the whole creation groaning, expressing dissatisfaction and a limit to materia
	Self Dies Hard by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, Dr. Ellen Redpath discusses the story of Abraham and Sarah and their journey of faith. She highlights how Abraham's decision to take Hagar as his wife represented a
	Abraham - Only God Matters by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the weight and responsibility of preaching the word of God. He expresses the need for prayers and acknowledges the challenges and effort tha
	(Genesis) Genesis 17:15-18 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Romans 4 and the story of Abraham. He highlights how Abraham believed in God's promise to make him the father of many nations, even though h