Genesis 23:9

Genesis 23:9. Cave of Machpelah— Machpelah, in the Hebrew, signifies double; and possibly the cave might be so called, either from having a double entrance, or from being double, one cave within another, as was common: or might it not be called double afterwards, from Abraham and Sarah's being both buried there? This cave, observe, was at the end of the field: the ancients were wiser than to have their burying-places in the midst of cities, much less in the midst of temples! This was left for more modern and refined vanity and absurdity. The same custom of burying in the fields, gardens, &c. prevailed in our Saviour's time. See John 11:30-31; John 11:38. Matthew 27:7; Matthew 27:66.