Location
Overview
The cave of Machpelah, in the field before Mamre at Hebron, was the first piece of the Promised Land that Abraham actually owned — bought as a burying place, and the resting place of the patriarchs.
Abraham buys the field
When Sarah died, Abraham asked the Hittites for "the cave of Machpelah" and insisted on paying its full price — four hundred shekels of silver — so the field, cave, and trees were made sure to him as a possession (Genesis 23:9–18). There he buried Sarah.
The tomb of the patriarchs
Abraham himself was later buried there by Isaac and Ishmael (Genesis 25:9). Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah, were buried there too, and Jacob charged his sons to bury him "in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah" with his fathers (Genesis 49:30–31).
Joseph carries Jacob home
So Joseph and his brothers carried Jacob's body up out of Egypt and laid him in the cave of Machpelah, fulfilling his oath (Genesis 50:13).
Events Here
Abraham buys the cave of Machpelah and buries Sarah
Jacob is buried at Machpelah with his fathers
Scripture References
6 versesGenesis6 verses
Genesis 23:9
That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you. as much: Heb. full money
Genesis 23:17
And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure
Genesis 23:19
And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.
Genesis 25:9
And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
Genesis 49:30
In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.
Genesis 50:13
For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.
Archaeology & History
Machpelah lies beneath the great rectangular enclosure in Hebron known as the Cave of the Patriarchs (Tomb of the Patriarchs) / Ibrahimi Mosque, whose massive ashlar walls were built by Herod the Great in the 1st century BC and still stand — one of the oldest sacred structures in the world still in use.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Cave of Machpelah
Where is Cave of Machpelah today?
Today, Cave of Machpelah corresponds to Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron.
What does the name Cave of Machpelah mean?
The name Cave of Machpelah means “Double (cave)”.
What happened at Cave of Machpelah in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Cave of Machpelah include abraham buys the cave of machpelah and buries sarah; jacob is buried at machpelah with his fathers.
Where is Cave of Machpelah first mentioned in the Bible?
Cave of Machpelah is first mentioned in Genesis 23:9.
How often is Cave of Machpelah mentioned in the Bible?
Cave of Machpelah is mentioned in 6 verses across 1 book: Genesis.
Who is buried in the cave of Machpelah?
According to Genesis: Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah — the patriarchs and their wives (except Rachel, buried near Bethlehem).
Why did Abraham buy Machpelah?
To have a burial place for Sarah, paying the full price so the field and cave were legally his — the first portion of the Promised Land he actually owned.