Parashat 7 - Vayetze - ויצא : "And he went out"

Parashat 7 - Vayetze - ויצא : "And he went out"
Torah : Bereshiet/Genesis 28:10-32:3
Haftarah : Hosea 12:12-14:10

Devarim/Deu 12:5  but seek the place which יהוה your Elohim chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His Name there, for His Dwelling Place, and there you shall enter.

Deu 12:6  “And there you shall take your burnt offerings, and your offerings, and your tithes, and the contributions of your hand, and your vowed offerings, and your voluntary offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock.

Deu 12:7  “And there you shall eat before יהוה your Elohim, and shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, in which יהוה your Elohim has blessed you.

Deu 12:8  “Do not do as we are doing here today – each one doing whatever is right in his own eyes¹. Footnote: ¹See Jud. 17:6 & 21:25.

Deu 12:9  “Because you have not yet entered the rest and the inheritance which יהוה your Elohim is giving you.

Below: A satellite photograph revealing Hebrew letters engraved in the landscape around Yerushalayim.

                                       

On the top was the Hebrew letter meaning ‘Because’; then under that the letters spelling ‘Luz’ which is the old name for Beit-El;  then below that the letters spelling “YHVH” ( ‘Yahweh’ ) and then “Ephraim” which means ‘Fruitful.’ Put together in order the way Hebrew is read, you get the following. ‘Because (of) Luz (Beit-El or House of Elohim) YHVH (has made) Fruitful.’  Ephraim will play a key role in the last days to cause YHVH’s fruitfulness to abound on the earth.
This could be a Messianic prophecy which reveals that when Ephraim or the fullness of the gentiles or nations return to the land of Yisrael, the Messiah will return.

These Torah portions contain a prophetic parable of the path the children of Yisrael will travel as they leave and return to the land of Yisrael. This journey can be recognized as we observe the history of His chosen people. This Torah portion also prepares us to know when we must return to the land. Those who are of the true Yisrael will receive revelation in these last days to recognize the journey of going out (va yetze) and the journey of return  (va yishlach) when YHVH sends messengers to prepare our way of return.

The sages wisely teach that to live outside the land is like living in idolatry. “May He redeem us soon from the slavery of sin and gather in our dispersed from the four corners of the earth; the whole House of Yisrael, becoming brothers.” Ameyn.

It is important to note the following - Throughout the ages the life and person of Yakov has been used as fuel for anti-Semitism. People have judged Yakov the guilty party, the manipulator and schemer, the liar. Based on the initial reading, this sentiment seems justified. However, one should keep in mind that Yakov is never accused by YHVH one time throughout all of the narrative. YHVH had after all confirmed to Rivkah (Rebeccah) that Yakov  (Jacob) would be the promised son. It was Yitzchak's (Izak’s) job, as head of the home, to see to YHVH's will being done. He had failed to transmit YHVH's wishes to his children regarding the birthright. Yakov and Rivkah thus felt impelled to take matters into their own hands. Perhaps, Yakov's sin lie in that he was not faithful to allow YHVH to work things out.

 Job 1:8  And יהוה said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Iyoḇ, (Job) that there is none like him on the earth, a perfect (tam) and straight man, one who fears Elohim and turns aside from evil?”

The same word is used to describe Yakov:

Gen 25:27   Ya’aqov was a complete (tam) man, dwelling in tents.

“Let us cease from the sin of lashon ha ra” (Lashon ha ra =the evil tongue)

The Number Seven:

The Hebrew word sheva' means seven in English.

The root means to complete or finish and is used many times as in to complete a cycle, rather than to finish something entirely. This is the word used in Hebrew to express a week or a cycle of seven days, or any cycle of seven.

From the beginning, the number 7 has represented YHVH’s completed acts. The celebrations of His Redemption are given in 7 feasts.

Priests were set apart (consecrated) seven whole days before entering the priesthood (Lev/Vayikra 8:31-36). Blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat 7 times to show the complete redemption of the coming Messiah (Lev/Vayikra 16:14, Hebrews/Ivrim 9:12).

Seven agrees with the theme of this parasha; it speaks about how Yakov went out (vayetzi) and one day will return with his 12 sons the twelve tribes of Israel, and the Messiah will bring to perfection the redeemed and so will end the  7000 year cycle of man’s redemptive cycle on this earth.

Blessing for the Torah:

Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,

v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,

you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.

Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Torah Readings:

1.                  28:10-22

2.                  29:1-17

3.                  29:18 – 30:13

4.                  30:14-27

5.                  30:28 – 31:16

6.                  31:17-42

7.                  31:43-54

8.                  Maftir: 31:55(32:1 Heb.) – 32:2(3 Heb.)

Haftarah : Hosea 12:12-14:10

Aliyah Rishon 28:10-22

Gen 28:10  And Ya’aqov went out from Be’ĕrsheḇa and went toward Ḥaran.

      Once again the opening words of the parasha (portion) capture the essence of its teaching- The Hebrew reads Yakov went out from the well of seven or of completeness – Bersheva - and walked towards a parched place – Charan.

       Gen 28:11  And he came upon a place and stopped over for the night, for the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep.

        Three times in this one verse the Hebrew word “ha makom” or “the place” is used. This possibly points to the significance of this place which the sages believe to be the same place where Avraham (Abraham) offered Yitzchak  (Izak) and where the two temples would be built and destroyed. In the future Messianic kingdom we believe Messiah will rule and reign from this mountain where a new temple will be built and all nations will come to this place “makom” to be taught the Torah of YHVH.

Gen 28:12  And he dreamed and saw a ladder set up on the earth, and its top reached to the heavens, and saw messengers of Elohim going up and coming down on it.

“ladder” in Hebrew is “sulam” this is the only place in scripture where this word is used. The gematria for “sulam” and “Sinai” are the same – 130.

The events and message that come from these two locations reveal YHVH’s complete redemptive purpose for mankind and has influenced the life of man on this planet more than any other place or event in history.

The same message Moshe received on Sinai, Yahshua will proclaim (has proclaimed) from the temple mount or Mount Zion (mount Moriah)

Yahshua refers to the event of this parasha in Yochanan/Joh 1:51  And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, from now on you shall see the heaven opened, and the messengers of Elohim ascending and descending upon the Son of Adam.”

The significance of this event points us to fact that YHVH was assuring Yakov that he and his seed would be inseparably linked to Him from Yerushalayim through Yahshua and His promise and Covenant with Yisrael through Yahshua, the mediator, for ever and ever.

Rom 11:25  For I do not wish you to be ignorant of this secret, brothers, lest you should be wise in your own estimation, that hardening in part has come over Yisra’ĕl, until the completeness of the gentiles¹ has come in. Footnote: ¹Gen. 48:19.

Rom 11:26  And so all Yisra’ĕl shall be saved, as it has been written, “The Deliverer shall come out of Tsiyon, and He shall turn away wickedness from Ya’aqov,

Rom 11:27  and this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”¹ Footnote: ¹Isa. 59:20-21.

Rom 11:28  Truly, as regards the Good News they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

Rom 11:29  For the gifts and the calling of Elohim are not to be repented of.

Rom 11:30  For as you also at one time disobeyed Elohim, but now have obtained compassion through their disobedience,

Rom 11:31  so also these have now disobeyed, that through the compassion shown you they also might obtain compassion.

Rom 11:32  For Elohim has shut them all up to disobedience, in order to have compassion on all.

Rom 11:33  Oh, the depth of riches, and wisdom and knowledge of Elohim! How unsearchable His judgments and untraceable His ways!

Rom 11:34  “For who has known the mind of יהוה? Or who has become His counsellor?”

Gen 28:13  And see, יהוה stood above it and said, “I am יהוה Elohim of Aḇraham your father and the Elohim of Yitsḥaq. The land on which you are lying, I give it to you and your seed.

Gen 28:14  “And your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall break forth to the west and to the east, to the north and the south. And all the clans of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your seed.

Gen 28:15  “And see, I am with you and shall guard you wherever you go, and shall bring you back to this land. For I am not going to leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

Gen 28:16  And Ya’aqov awoke from his sleep and said, “Truly, יהוה is in this place, and I did not know it.”

Gen 28:17  And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of Elohim, and this is the gate of the heavens!”

Gen 28:18  And Ya’aqov rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a standing column, and poured oil on top of it.

Gen 28:19  And he called the name of that place Bĕyth Ěl, however, the name of that city had been Luz previously.

Gen 28:20  And Ya’aqov made a vow, saying, “Seeing Elohim is with me, and has kept me in this way that I am going, and has given me bread to eat and a garment to put on –

Gen 28:21  when I have returned to my father’s house in peace, and יהוה has been my Elohim,

Gen 28:22  then this stone which I have set as a standing column shall be Elohim’s house, and of all that You give me, I shall certainly give a tenth to You.”

Parashat 6 – “Toldot"-Generations"

Parashat 6 – “Toldot"-Generations"

Bereshiet/Genesis 25:19-28:9

For they are not all Yisra’ĕl who are of Yisra’ĕl,

Rom 9:7  neither are they all children because they are the seed of Aḇraham, but, “In Yitsḥaq your seed shall be called.”

Rom 9:8  That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are reckoned as the seed.

The life and family of YHVH comes from Yitzchak, however we see that in the seed of Yitzchak are two kinds of life, two kinds of people – Yakov and Esav - One is Yisrael and one the other is the nations besides Yisrael.

These two peoples are like two different kinds of living; two different ways we walk (halachah) in this life. The above scripture clearly teaches that not all who say or believe they are Yisrael are Yisrael. The evidence is found in the footprint.

We see these two different kinds of footprints wrestling with each other in the womb, these two kinds of footprints still wrestle today.

Esav was trying to establish his footprint over Yakov in the womb; Yakov was trying to prevent this footprint from trying to establish itself over his life in the womb and outside the womb.

The womb is like the set apart place of the covenant YHVH has with Yisrael. Esav seeks to occupy the entire space. His name means “fully grown” this footprint always tries to impress with size and influence, this type of footprint always tries to “kick” out that which is true Yisrael and replace Yisrael with itself.

There is an important message for all those have been called “Yakov” which means “heel” or the “FOOTPRINT” that is left by such a people. It is only a remnant (sarid) but right now the true Yisrael are in the womb of becoming a great nation that will rule all other nations. This womb is like the set apart covenant YHVH has with true Yisrael. This set apart space must be closely guarded against the spirit of Esav that wants to control and dominate all kinds of life. Esav is the “hunter” seeking to ensnare.

The spirit of Esav seeks to dominate people and relationships, it even claims to love and deeply care, that is why Yahshua taught:

 Mat 10:33  “But whoever shall deny Me before men, him I shall also deny before My Father who is in the heavens.

Mat 10:34  “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword,¹ Footnote: ¹In Lk. 12:51 the word “division” is used, while “sword” has the same meaning here.

Mat 10:35  for I have come to bring division, a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law –

Mat 10:36  and a man’s enemies are those of his own household.¹ Footnote: ¹Lk. 12:53, Mic. 7:6.

Mat 10:37  “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.¹ Footnote: ¹See 19:29, Lk. 14:26.

Mat 10:38  “And he who does not take up his stake and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

Mat 10:39  “He who has found his life shall lose it, and he that has lost his life for My sake shall find it.

Mat 10:40  “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

The evidence of walking in the footprint of Yakov is that this world, spirit of Esav, will hate you.

Yoch/Joh 15:19  “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for that reason the world hates you.

We are then told that Yitchak loved Esav because "because he had a taste for game." (25:28). Literally, however, the verse explains that Yitchak loved Esav/ Esau because "hunting was in his mouth." (25:28). The ancient Jewish commentary Midrash Rabbah suggests that the "hunting in his mouth" should be understood as Esav's deceit of Isaac.

Even the elect will be deceived by this spirit. The prophet warns us that this spirit will occupy dwelling places (beings) that do not belong to them.

Hab 1:3  Why do You show me wickedness, and cause me to see perversity? For ruin and violence are before me. And there is strife, and contention arises.

Hab 1:4  Therefore the Torah ceases, and right-ruling never goes forth. For the wrong hem in the righteous, so that right-ruling comes out twisted.

Hab 1:5  “Look among the nations and see, and be amazed, be amazed! For a work is being wrought in your days which you would not believe if it were told.

Hab 1:6  “See, I am raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation, who is going through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.

Hab 1:7  “They are frightening and fearsome, their right-ruling and their exaltation proceed from themselves.

Another prophet tells us what will happen in the last days to Esav (Edom)

Oba 1:6  “How Ěsaw shall be searched out! His hidden treasures shall be sought out!

The commentaries state that there was a great treasure hidden in the desert fortress of Petra, the capital of Edom. This treasure was ceased by invading armies. Is this not possibly a reference to the end times when the true treasure of YHVH – Yakov will be waiting to be captured by our Bridegroom?

Oba 1:10  “Because of your violence against your brother Yaʽaqoḇ, let shame cover you. And you shall be cut off forever.

Oba 1:18  “And the house of Yaʽaqoḇ shall be a fire, and the house of Yosĕph a flame, but the house of Ěsaw for stubble. And they shall burn among them and they shall consume them, so that no survivor is left of the house of Ěsaw.” For יהוה has spoken.

Blessing for the Torah:

Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,

v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Torah Readings:

 

1. 25:19 – 26:5
2. 26:6-12
3. 26:13-22
4. 26:23-29
5. 26:30 – 27:27
6. 27:28 – 28:4
7. 28:5-6
8. Maftir: 28:7-9

 

Haftarah: Malachi 1:1 – 2:7

Aliyah Rishon 25:19-26:5

Gen 25:19  And this is the genealogy of Yitsḥaq, Aḇraham’s son. Aḇraham brought forth Yitsḥaq.

Gen 25:20  And Yitsḥaq was forty years old when he took Riḇqah as wife, the daughter of Bethu’ĕl the Aramean of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laḇan the Aramean.

Gen 25:21  And Yitsḥaq prayed to יהוה for his wife, because she was barren. And יהוה answered his prayer, and Riḇqah his wife conceived. (Rivkah means clogged)

Gen 25:22  And within her the children struggled together, and she said, “If all is right, why am I this way?” So she went to ask יהוה.

Gen 25:23  And יהוה said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples shall be separated from your body. And one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older serve the younger.”

Gen 25:24  And when the days were filled for her to give birth, and see, twins were in her womb!

Gen 25:25  And the first came out red all over, like a hairy garment, so they called his name Ěsaw. –(completely developed)

Gen 25:26  And afterward his brother came out, with his hand holding on to Ěsaw’s heel, so his name was called Yaʽaqoḇ. And Yitsḥaq was sixty years old when she bore them.

Gen 25:27  And the boys grew up. And Ěsaw became a man knowing how to hunt, a man of the field, while Yaʽaqoḇ was a complete man, dwelling in tents.

Extract from the book of Jasher: 26: 17 And the boys grew up to their fifteenth year, and they came amongst the society of men. Esau was a designing and deceitful man, and an expert hunter in the field, and Jacob was a man perfect and wise, dwelling in tents, feeding flocks and learning the instructions of YHVH and the commands of his father and mother.

       Gen 25:28  And Yitsḥaq loved Ěsaw because he ate of his wild game, but Riḇqah loved Yaʽaqoḇ.

We are then told that Yitchak loved Esav "because he had a taste for game." (25:28). Literally, however, the verse explains that Yitchak loved Esau because "hunting was in his mouth." (25:28). The ancient Jewish commentary Midrash Rabbah suggests that the "hunting in his mouth" should be understood as Esav's deceit of Yitschak/ Isaac.

Gen 25:29  And Yaʽaqoḇ cooked a stew, and Ěsaw came in from the field, and he was weary.

Gen 25:30  And Ěsaw said to Yaʽaqoḇ, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” That is why his name was called Eḏom.

Gen 25:31  But Yaʽaqoḇ said, “Sell me your birthright today.”

Gen 25:32  And Ěsaw said, “Look, I am going to die, so why should I have birthright?”

Gen 25:33  Then Yaʽaqoḇ said, “Swear to me today.” And he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Yaʽaqoḇ.

Gen 25:34  Yaʽaqoḇ then gave Ěsaw bread and stew of lentils. And he ate and drank, and rose up and left. Thus Ěsaw despised his birthright.

Yahshua is the first born of the Father (1 Yoch/Jn4:9) and the first fruits of the resurrection, we are being conformed into his image (Rom 8:29) and as such will be part of the first resurrection that will rule and reign with Messiah for 1000 years from Yerushalyim.

At the time of these events, the priesthood still belonged to the firstborn. This was despised by Esav. Why? I believe Esav knew that if he wanted anything he could take it or steal it. So today the church – Esav -  has tried to steal the priesthood and inheritance of Yisrael.

Yakov did not need to deceive his brother, because his brother would always have traded with his inheritance to get what he wanted.

Gen 26:1  And there was a scarcity of food in the land, besides the first scarcity of food which was in the days of Aḇraham. And Yitsḥaq went to Aḇimeleḵ, sovereign of the Philistines, in Gerar.

Gen 26:2  And יהוה appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Mitsrayim, live in the land which I command you.

Gen 26:3  “Sojourn in this land. And I shall be with you and bless you, for I give all these lands to you and your seed. And I shall establish the oath which I swore to Aḇraham your father.

Gen 26:4  “And I shall increase your seed like the stars of the heavens, and I shall give all these lands to your seed. And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,

Gen 26:5  because Aḇraham obeyed My voice and guarded My Charge: My commands, My laws, and My Torot¹.” Footnote: ¹Torot - plural of Torah, teaching

Parashat 5 - Ber/Gen 23:1 – 25:18

Parashat 5 - Ber/Gen 23:1 – 25:18  

“Chayei Sarah” - Sarah’s life or years of life.

This Torah portion is about LIFE – “CHAI”. The life of Sarah is the life of the “kehelat”- congregation of YHVH.

This Torah portion gives us instructions on how to understand, approach, maintain and walk in the life of the Ruach/Spirit of YHVH.

Our Messiah said – Yochanan/Joh 10:10  “The thief does not come except to steal, and to slaughter, and to destroy. I have come that they might possess life, and that they might possess it beyond measure.

Joh 10:11  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Joh 10:12  “But the hireling, and not being a shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.

Joh 10:13  “Now the hireling flees because he is a hireling and is not concerned about the sheep.

Joh 10:14  “I am the good shepherd.¹ And I know Mine, and Mine know Me, Footnote: ¹Ezek. 34:11-12, Heb. 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4.

Joh 10:15  even as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.

Joh 10:16  “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold – I have to bring them as well, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.¹ Footnote: ¹Ezek. 34:23, Ezek. 37:24.

Joh 10:17  “Because of this the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, in order to receive it again.

Joh 10:18  “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to receive it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

This life is the “zoe” kind of life. (“Zoe” is the Greek word for the higher form of life and is comparable to three Hebrew words – chai (life), nephesh (being) and Ruach (spirit/wind)) This life is also at times complex and painful.  Yahshua came that we may have this life and have it in abundance. One of the keys to living this life is found in Phil 4:

Php 4:4  Rejoice in יהוה always, again I say, rejoice!

Php 4:5  Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Master is near.

Php 4:6  Do not worry at all, but in every matter, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim.

Php 4:7  And the peace of Elohim, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Messiah יהושע.

Php 4:8  For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is righteous, whatever is clean, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any uprightness and if there is any praise – think on these.

Php 4:9  And what you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, practice these, and the Elohim of peace shall be with you.

Php 4:10  And I rejoiced in יהוה greatly that now at last your concern for me has revived again – though you were concerned, but had no chance.

Php 4:11  Not that I speak concerning need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.

Php 4:12  I know what it is to be humbled, and I know what it is to have in excess. In any and every situation I have learned both to be filled, and to be hungry, both to have in excess, and to be in need.

Php 4:13  I have strength to do all, through Messiah¹ who empowers me. Footnote: ¹John 15:5, 2 Cor. 3:5-6, 2 Cor. 12:9, Eph. 3:20, Philip. 2:13, Heb. 13:20-21, 1 John 4:4.

Blessing for the Torah:

Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,

v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Torah Readings:  

1. 23:1-16
2. 23:17 – 24:9
3. 24:10-26
4. 24:27-52
5. 24:53-67
6. 25:1-11
7. 25:12-15
8. Maftir: 26:16-18

Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

Aliyah Rishon 23:1-16.

Gen 23:1  And Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years, the years of the life of Sarah.

The Torah expresses this verse as follows: She was one hundred years old and 20 years old and seven years old.

We are meant to pause and consider the significance of this. This emphasis possibly refers to the blessedness of the life that was granted her - One hundred years speaks of a long life where much maturity and wisdom was gained; twenty years speaks of the youthfulness and vigour of this life and seven years old speaks of the innocence of this life.

Gen 23:2  And Sarah died in Qiryath Arba, that is Hevron, in the land of Kena'an, and Avraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

The book of Yasher suggests that Sarah died as the result of hearing the news that her son Yitschak/ Isaac had come so close to death when his father was willing to offer him as a offering.

Gen 23:3  Then Avraham rose up from beside his dead, and spoke to the sons of Hĕth, saying,

Gen 23:4  “I am a foreigner and a sojourner among you. Give me property for a burial site among you, so that I bury my dead from my presence.”

Gen 23:5  And the sons of Hĕth answered Avraham, saying to him,

Gen 23:6  “Hear us, my master: You are a prince of Elohim among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us withholds from you his burial site, from burying your dead.”

Gen 23:7  So Avraham rose and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Hĕth.

Gen 23:8  And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your desire that I bury my dead from my presence, hear me, and approach Ephron son of Tsohar for me,

Gen 23:9  and let me have the cave of Makpĕlah which he has, which is at the end of his field. Let him give it to me for the complete amount of silver, as property for a burial site among you.”

Gen 23:10  And Ephron dwelt among the sons of Hĕth. And Ephron the Hittite answered Araham in the hearing of the sons of Hĕth, all who entered at the gate of his city, saying,

Gen 23:11  “No, my master, listen to me! I shall give you the field and the cave that is in it. I shall give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I shall give it to you. Bury your dead!”

Gen 23:12  And Avraham bowed himself down before the people of the land,

Gen 23:13  and he spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If only you would hear me. I shall give the amount of silver for the field, take it from me, and let me bury my dead there.”

Gen 23:14  And Ephron answered Avraham, saying to him,

Gen 23:15  “My master, listen to me! The land is worth four hundred sheqels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.”

Gen 23:16  And Avraham listened to Ephron, and Avraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Hĕth, four hundred sheqels of silver, currency of the merchants.

In this Torah portion we see the first mention of burial. It is noteworthy that Avraham did not cremate his deceased wife. Cremation was a heathen pagan practice.

The commentators also inform us that Avraham paid an excessive amount of money for the burial plot. Why would this be so?

Is it not possible that these Hittites did not actually want Avraham to have any kind of claim to the land. Avraham now had a title deed which in the age to come will give the Hebrews legitimate ownership of this land.

The sons of Chet or the sons of “terror” the descendants of these citizens of Canaan would always be a terror to the seed of Avraham.

“Ephron” means “fawn like” and he may have had a gentle and kind approach, however we see later on in this Torah portion that his name is deliberately misspelled when the “vav” is omitted.(25:9) This could refer to a diminished state of the person and a prophetic warning to never trust any kind of future covenant with his seed. (Palestinians)

The number 400 is possibly significant as it appears three times in Torah portions in Beresheet/Genesis.

The first time in Ber/Gen 15:13 where Yisrael/Israel would be enslaved in Mitsrayim/ Egypt 400 years.

Then here in Ber 23:16 the price Avraham paid for the burial ground would be 400 shekels.  

The third time here  in Ber 32:6 where Esau comes to meet Yakov with 400 men.

The gematria of “tav” is also 400 and this letter in the ancient Paleo Hebrew was a symbol of the covenant and

looked like a cross. This could refer to the opposition and price that YHVH’s covenant people would face in their life -times.

Appearance of a Tittle: * “ve livkotah” or “and to weep for her”, vs 2, the letter “kaph” is diminished. There are many