Genesis 23:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yesterday, dear friends, we witnessed the bravery of a patriarch. We beheld a spirit mightier than steel. We observed how, to the fullest extent of his capability and driven by his love for God, he assumed the role of priest for his own son, preparing to sprinkle his hand with blood and make an offering. Yet, through the unimaginable compassion of God, he received his son back alive and whole, and for his obedience, he was exalted and adorned with a radiant crown. This remarkable act was his supreme achievement—an ultimate demonstration of his God-centered spirit. Now, let us reflect on the profound strength of this righteous father's love and the care he provided for his son. Following that exceptional and wondrous offering, when he returned from the mountain, grief for Sarah came upon him.

The phrase ‘which is situated in the valley’ does not appear in the original texts. Over time, the name Arbok has been gradually distorted by both those who wrote and those who read it. We should not assume that the Seventy translators mistakenly rendered the name of the Jewish city in an incorrect and unrefined manner, rather than as it authentically sounds. The term ‘arbok’ holds no significance; it is actually pronounced arbee (אַרְבַּ֛ע), which translates to ‘four.’ This is significant because it reflects the burial site of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Adam, the progenitor of humanity, as will be further elucidated in the Book of Joshua (refer to Num. 14:15 in the Vulgate).

The brother asked the elder, “What should I do about my sins?” The elder replied, “Anyone who desires freedom from sin can find it through tears; and whoever wishes to cultivate virtues should do so with weeping. The sacred writings themselves reveal a foundation of sorrow. Our ancestors taught their followers to do the same: ‘Weep, for there is no other path to eternal life than this.’ The brother further inquired of the elder, ‘What should I do, father?’ He responded, ‘When Abraham arrived in the Promised Land, he first acquired a burial site (cf. Gen. 23:4, 20). The brother then asked, ‘What is this coffin for?’ The elder explained, ‘It serves as a place of lamentation and grief.’

The Deuteronomist emphasizes that neither the fervency of youth nor the eagerness of the elderly man, who longed to witness the next generation, influenced the timing of Isaac's marriage. Following Sarah's passing, which undoubtedly created a significant gap in the small family of Abraham, he sought solace for himself and his son through the union of Isaac (Genesis 24:67) and aimed to restore comfort within the household. Kiriath-arba, which translates to the city of four, is believed by the Jews to be named in honor of the four prominent figures buried there: Adam, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, referencing the scripture from the book of Joshua (Hab. 14:15), it is likely that Arba refers to the renowned ancestor of the Enakimites (Hab. 15:13), now known as Hebron.