In this challenging Genesis 23 Quiz, you’ll dive deep into the text as each question has been crafted to test your knowledge and understanding of the events that unfolded during this moment in biblical history, all drawn from the King James Version.
Prepare to think critically and engage with the Scripture in a fun and thought-provoking way!
Bible Trivia Quiz Questions on Genesis Chapter 23
You’ll find that this quiz offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Scripture in a fun and thought-provoking way. Ready to put your knowledge to the test?
Let’s get started!
Genesis 23 Quiz with Answers and Explanations
Question No. 1
What is the name of Sarah’s age when she died?
- A. 120 years
- B. 127 years
- C. 100 years
- D. 90 years
- E. 110 years
Answer: B. 127 years
Explanation: Sarah was 127 years old when she died, as stated in Genesis 23:1: “And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah.”
Question No. 2
Where did Sarah die?
- A. Hebron
- B. Canaan
- C. Egypt
- D. Ur of the Chaldees
- E. Jerusalem
Answer: A. Hebron
Explanation: Sarah died in Hebron, which is noted in Genesis 23:2: “And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.”
Question No. 3
Who did Abraham approach to purchase a burial place for Sarah?
- A. The Hittites
- B. The Jebusites
- C. The Canaanites
- D. The Egyptians
- E. The Philistines
Answer: A. The Hittites
Explanation: Abraham spoke to the children of Heth (the Hittites) regarding the purchase of a burial place, as mentioned in Genesis 23:3-4: “And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner with you.”
Question No. 4
Which specific piece of land did Abraham want to buy?
- A. The field of Machpelah
- B. The field of Shechem
- C. The cave of Moriah
- D. The valley of Achor
- E. The land of Goshen
Answer: A. The field of Machpelah
Explanation: Abraham sought to buy the cave of Machpelah for Sarah’s burial, as indicated in 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.”
Question No. 5
What was the response of the Hittites when Abraham requested the land?
- A. They refused outright
- B. They offered it for free
- C. They asked for a larger payment
- D. They agreed to sell it
- E. They needed time to consider
Answer: B. They offered it for free
Explanation: The Hittites initially offered Abraham the land for free, stating in Genesis 23:6: “Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.”
Question No. 6
How much did Abraham pay for the field and the cave?
- A. 400 shekels of silver
- B. 100 shekels of gold
- C. 300 shekels of silver
- D. 50 shekels of silver
- E. 200 shekels of gold
Answer: A. 400 shekels of silver
Explanation: Abraham paid 400 shekels of silver for the cave of Machpelah, as recorded in Genesis 23:16: “And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.”
Question No. 7
Who was Ephron?
- A. A Hittite
- B. A Canaanite
- C. A Philistine
- D. An Egyptian
- E. A Jebusite
Answer: A. A Hittite
Explanation: Ephron was a Hittite who owned the field of Machpelah, as mentioned in Genesis 23:8: “And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham.”
Question No. 8
What was the significance of the purchase of Machpelah?
- A. It was a marketplace for trading
- B. It was a sign of peace with the Hittites
- C. It was a sacred burial site for all patriarchs
- D. It was a strategic military location
- E. None of the above
Answer: E. None of the above
Explanation: The purchase of the cave of Machpelah was significant as it marked the first piece of land owned by Abraham in Canaan, symbolizing his claim to the Promised Land, as reflected in Genesis 23:20: “And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth.”
Question No. 9
What did Abraham do after purchasing the cave?
- A. He built a monument
- B. He moved his family to the cave
- C. He buried Sarah there
- D. He gave a feast
- E. He offered a sacrifice
Answer: C. He buried Sarah there
Explanation: Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of Machpelah after the purchase, as indicated in Genesis 23:19: “And Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.”
Question No. 10
What did Abraham request from the Hittites regarding Sarah’s burial?
- A. A special ceremony
- B. A grand tomb
- C. Permission to bury her
- D. A designated burial site
- E. The best location in the land
Answer: C. Permission to bury her
Explanation: Abraham asked the Hittites for permission to bury Sarah in their land, as noted in Genesis 23:4: “Give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
Question No. 11
What characteristic did the Hittites attribute to Abraham during their negotiation?
- A. He was wealthy
- B. He was a mighty prince
- C. He was a foreigner
- D. He was a skilled negotiator
- E. He was a prophet
Answer: B. He was a mighty prince
Explanation: The Hittites referred to Abraham as a mighty prince, highlighting his status among them in Genesis 23:6: “Thou art a mighty prince among us.”
Question No. 12
What did Abraham do in the presence of the Hittites when he weighed the silver?
- A. He prayed
- B. He made a speech
- C. He gave thanks
- D. He negotiated further
- E. He remained silent
Answer: C. He gave thanks
Explanation: While not explicitly stated, it is understood that Abraham expressed gratitude upon completing the transaction, showing his respect for the process and those present, reflecting the customs of the time.
Question No. 13
How did Ephron respond when Abraham asked to purchase the land?
- A. He insisted on a high price
- B. He offered it for free
- C. He hesitated to sell
- D. He suggested a trade
- E. He refused outright
Answer: B. He offered it for free
Explanation: Ephron initially offered the cave and field for free, indicating the respect he held for Abraham as noted in Genesis 23:11: “Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee.”
Question No. 14
How did Abraham ensure the land’s ownership after the transaction?
- A. He wrote a contract
- B. He performed a ceremony
- C. He presented a witness
- D. He paid the agreed price
- E. He registered it with the king
Answer: D. He paid the agreed price
Explanation: Abraham made sure of the ownership by paying the 400 shekels of silver as per the custom of the time, ensuring the transaction was valid, as stated in Genesis 23:16-17.
Question No. 15
What was the reaction of the Hittites when Abraham asked to buy a burial site?
- A. They laughed at him
- B. They respected his request
- C. They questioned his intentions
- D. They ignored him
- E. They advised him against it
Answer: B. They respected his request
Explanation: The Hittites showed respect for Abraham’s request and agreed to sell him the land, indicating their recognition of his status and needs, as noted in Genesis 23:6.
Question No. 16
What specific feature of the land did Abraham want?
- A. A fertile field
- B. A cave for burial
- C. A hilltop for visibility
- D. A river for irrigation
- E. All of the above
Answer: B. A cave for burial
Explanation: Abraham specifically sought the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for Sarah, emphasizing its importance for his family’s legacy, as noted in Genesis 23:9.
Question No. 17
How did the Hittites view the burial of Sarah in their land?
- A. As a privilege
- B. As a disturbance
- C. As a burden
- D. As a common practice
- E. As a tragedy
Answer: A. As a privilege
Explanation: The Hittites offered Abraham the right to bury Sarah among them, indicating they saw it as an honor to provide such a service, as reflected in their response in Genesis 23:6.
Question No. 18
What did Abraham do after the death of Sarah?
- A. He mourned for her
- B. He traveled to a distant land
- C. He held a feast
- D. He sought a new wife
- E. All of the above
Answer: A. He mourned for her
Explanation: Abraham mourned and wept for Sarah after her death, highlighting his grief, as stated in Genesis 23:2: “And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.”
Question No. 19
What was the financial arrangement made for the land of Machpelah?
- A. A barter system
- B. A loan agreement
- C. A sale for silver
- D. A gift from Ephron
- E. A share in the land
Answer: C. A sale for silver
Explanation: Abraham paid for the land with silver, which was a customary method of securing ownership, as noted in Genesis 23:16.
Question No. 20
What is stated about the land after the transaction was completed?
- A. It remained with the Hittites
- B. It was a temporary arrangement
- C. It was a lasting possession
- D. It was inherited by Lot
- E. It became a public site
Answer: C. It was a lasting possession
Explanation: The land and cave became a permanent possession for Abraham and his descendants, as confirmed in Genesis 23:20: “And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession.”