Did Sarah separate from Abraham when she went to Hebron area, while Abraham stayed in Beersheba

[Antoinette_W]

Did Sarah separate from Abraham when she went to Hebron area, while Abraham stayed in Beersheba? Some Jewish sages think that Sarah left after she found out that Abraham tried to sacrifice Isaac. Isaac was born when Sarah was 90 yrs. old, and Sarah died at 127 yrs. old, Isaac would have been 37 yrs. old when she died. After the Isaac “sacrifice” we never hear anything about Sarah anymore. Isaac had been living in Beer la hai roi , but was now living in the region of the Negev. There he met Rebekah and took his bride into his mother’s tent (where was Sarah?)

 

[Elf01]

There he met Rebekah and took his bride into his mother’s tent (where was Sarah?)

That verse later on implies that Sarah had died by the time Issac marries:

Then Isaac brought her into the tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Gen 24:26 (RSVCE)

Abraham buries Sarah in chapter 23 so I doubt they were separated at the time of her death.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

@meltzerboy

 

[Antoinette_W]

Abraham buries Sarah in chapter 23 so I doubt they were separated at the time of her death.

In Chapter 22:19, after the attempted Isaac sacrifice, it says Abraham then returned to his servants, and they set out together for Beer-sheba. There is no mention of Sarah or Isaac going to /Living at Beersheba. Later Isaac is mentioned in Beer-la-ha-roi and the negev - also this is where his mother’s tent was. So Sarah must have left Abraham and went to (Beer-la-ha-roi and the negev where her tent was) and then to Kiriath-arba. (Where she died.) There is no mention of Abraham going to either of those two areas after the Isaac sacrifice

 

[pacomius]

There is no mention of Sarah or Isaac going to /Living at Beersheba.

I find the idea of Sarah leaving very interesting. Nevertheless not everything is written in the Bible. When something is omitted, the simplest explanation is usually the most accurate. If Sarah had left, I believe it would most likely have been written. If not, why would the author of the book overlook such an important detail?

 

[Antoinette_W]

My husband and I had to separate (due to his drinking and violence) 24 yrs. ago.
Our 5 children were all relieved when the police removed him.
Because we are Catholic, we did not divorce.
It took about a year and we became friends again, but decided his life style could not allow us to live together anymore. There was no fight over the children, and he stayed involved in their sports and special occasions -birthdays, and Christmas celebrations at our family home. He would go back to his place when he felt he had drank “enough”, and we would not have to deal with him!
We are still able to rely on each other for help with projects, or just someone to run things by.

Sarah’s Life was a consolation to me during this time, when I studied the scriptures and saw that they made it work.
She followed the law. She did not commit adultery, and lived a quiet life.
Maybe she couldn’t trust Abraham anymore, or even understand him, because he didn’t talk to her about what he was going to do. (She was part of him!) and that was her son too!
I think she made the decision so that she could heal.

 

[pacomius]

I am happy you can draw strength from the scriptures. I am not dismissing your understanding as wrong too. I do feel there many saints too from who’s lives you can draw inspiration. In this case, viewing the action of Abraham from your perspective risks drawing him away from the true meaning of his actions… the language of the old testament is sometimes very complex and cryptological. The scriptures do not want us to see the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as reason to lose faith in him, rather it should be more reason to trust in the Good God.
God bless you.

 

[Antoinette_W]

Thank you for discussing this with me.
I understand and believe that Abraham trusted God, and he knew that what God wanted was for the good.
He did not understand “how” it would be for the good, but he trusted God.
That is what we are all suppose to do.
Maybe marriage was viewed differently then, but when God made Eve for Adam she was to be his “eser kenegdo” she was his body. They are one.
Any woman would feel betrayed and distrustful of a husband who would go through this alone!
As if she had nothing to do with making that life altering decision!
Maybe there is a deeper lesson in this that man had yet to learn. The cost of obedience?
Anyway he did learn it and did not blame God or feel sorry for himself.
I wonder if Sarah learned the same thing in a different way.
We are all on a journey and always need to make choices resulting in good or bad consequences.
Would God have been angry if Abraham asked God if he could include Sarah to listen with him to these instructions from God?
At least he could have tried!
Then Sarah could have “suffered and grown” with Abraham.
Thanks for listening to my heart.

 

[Crocus]

God made a covenant with Abram, to make a great nation of his descendants. Then God gave new names to both Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah), indicating their unity in the plan. This re-naming is very important; it demonstrates the special role that God entrusts to them.

They live together, Sarah dies, Abraham ensures a suitable wife is found for their son, and soon afterwards Abraham himself dies.

Scripture is silent on Sarah’s knowledge of God’s request to sacrifice their son. In my heart I believe Sarah remained united with her husband in following God’s will whatever the cost.

Abraham is honoured for his faith. Sarah too is a strong model of faith.

 

[Antoinette_W]

If you read the scriptures and look at the names of the places , you can see that your interpretation is not factually based. My interpretation has just as much merit … if not more! This is the literal info we have been given, but we need to go deeper to try to find what God is speaking to us in these scriptures.

[Gen 21:32 NASB] So they made a covenant at Beersheba; and Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines.

[Gen 21:33 NASB] [Abraham] planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.

[Gen 21:34 NASB] And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines for many days.

[Gen 22:1 NASB] 1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."

[Gen 22:2 NASB] He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

[Gen 22:3 NASB] So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. …

[Gen 22:19 NASB] So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham lived at Beersheba.

[Gen 23:2 NASB] 2 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

[Gen 23:3 NASB] Then Abraham rose from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, "I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight." … [Gen 23:19 NASB] After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

[Gen 23:20 NASB] So the field and the cave that is in it, were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth.

[Gen 24:37 NASB] "My master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; …

[Gen 24: 62 NASB] Now Isaac had come from going to Beer-lahai-roi; for he was living in the Negev. …

[Gen 24: 64 NASB] Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from the camel. … [Gen 24: 67 NASB] Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

 

[Crocus]

@meltzerboy2, any insight into family life in the time of Abraham?

 

[meltzerboy2]

We don’t know where Sarah lived at the time, but there are, as usual, several commentaries stating, for example, that she lived in Hebron, or that she and Abraham both lived in Beersheba and she traveled or was sent by Abraham to Hebron (for various possible reasons), and so on. However, the matter has not been settled and remains uncertain.

 

[Crocus]

In Chapter 22:19, after the attempted Isaac sacrifice, it says Abraham then returned to his servants, and they set out together for Beer-sheba . There is no mention of Sarah or Isaac going to /Living at Beersheba. Later Isaac is mentioned in Beer-la-ha-roi and the negev - also this is where his mother’s tent was. So Sarah must have left Abraham and went to (Beer-la-ha-roi and the negev where her tent was) and then to Kiriath-arba. (Where she died.) There is no mention of Abraham going to either of those two areas after the Isaac sacrifice

Gen 21
Isaac is born. Isaac is weaned. Hagar and Ishmael are banished. Abraham makes a deal with Abimelek, about the well (Beer-Sheba).

It is reasonable to assume Sarah is present during this time.

Gen 22
Abraham sets out with Isaac and some servants, for a place called Moriah. Leaving the servants some distance behind he continues with Isaac to the place of sacrifice. After sacrificing the ram, Abraham and Isaac rejoin the servants for the return trip.

It is reasonable to assume Sarah, as in previous chapter, was at Beer-Sheba (according to maps in, or near the region of The Negev) when they returned.

*Is this the interval during which you propose that Sarah separated herself from Abraham, taking Isaac with her, to Hebron (Kiriath-arba), 20 miles to the north?

Gen 23
Sarah dies at age 127, at Hebron. Abraham buys the cave of Machpelah at Mamre (2 miles north of Hebron) as a burial place.

There is no reason to assume Abraham and Sarah are not living together at Hebron and/or travelling the 20 miles between Hebron and Beer-Sheba, or other places for that matter. They travel and live in tents.

Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah, are presumed to have been buried in the cave of Machpelah.

Gen 24
Isaac is living at Beer Lahai Roi, beyond The Negev. Abraham sends a servant to find a wife for Isaac from among his relatives in his home country.
(Gen 24:67 Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.)

I am not sure whether “the tent of his mother” means anything other than a precious item of inheritance.

In my opinion there is no evidence in these chapters to support a rift and subsequent marital separation between Abraham and Sarah.

They are far more likely to be faithful, supportive partners in God’s plan of salvation.

 

[Antoinette_W]

To everyone who took the time to respond;
I feel that I should not have posed the question of Sarah separating from Abraham.
It feels now like it may have been pride motivating that initial topic of conversation. (Hey look what I found!) Doing this and having this discussion, made me realize that I was making it (the whole story) about me!
I am really sorry. I am really humbled by this new insight into my motives.
Please Jesus forgive me, and all of you too!
I am a lonely, vane, woman who wanted some attention.

 

[Crocus]

That took a lot of courage. Thanks for sharing your story. CAF is all about our journey together. God bless you. Please pray for us as we do for you.

 

[rose321]

God made a covenant with Abram, to make a great nation of his descendants.

Respectfully opinion only pondering on and in what is written…Our Heavenly Father provides.

Believe Sarah did separate from Abraham, for Abraham returns to bury his wife, not separate to modern terms but husbands left to work etc believe one will find this in Genesis also Men went off family business etc also

Abraham later meets up with Ishamel does he not? Husbands put their wives in charge ( household etc) to take care of the family, holdings, etc, business etc did they not while away? Sometimes gone for months.travel was not easy on foot, caravan etc not like today?

Genesis 17:2 I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous. Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him As for me, this my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations, No longer shall you name be Abra, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations, I will make nations of you. I will make you exceedingly fruitful and I will make nations of you and kings shall come from you. I will establish myu covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant. unquote…

Genesis 17: 8 states the land given to Abraham offspring etc, for a …perpetual (means everlasting) holding.

Notice Abraham will be the …ancestor… of a …multitude of nations?
Not just… a… nation, but Our Heavenly Father…clearly …repeats… a…multitude of nations his…offspring…Our Heavenly Father… provides… right?

Genesis 25 …states such below
Abraham had 2 wives
Sara gave birth to a son Issa
Keturah- bore Abraham 6 more sons-their names are listed in Genesis 25
Hagar.a slave woman servant gave birth to Ishamel?
Abraham had a …multitude of concubines as written also in Genesis, bore him children?

God provides for such? For Abraham to be ancestor of a multitude of nations?

Genesis… both… sons Isaac & Ishamael buried their father Abraham east of Hebron…can imagine it was a huge huge huge burial…Abraham was highly looked upon as A Righteous man of God…by those who ruled over him and known throughout the nation he dwell within?

Abraham was allowed to buy land to bury his wife, because Abraham was an alien who settle at that time in land not his own, aliens could not own land so he was greatly liked and admired by those who ruled over them?

Peace just opinion respectfully…but all listed comes out of the bible. Great Prophet Isaiah taught us how to read scripture …line upon line, pretext upon pretext, line upon line upon line…must be important to attain understanding all that is taking place to comprehend , stay in context maybe?

 

[Crocus]

Abram and Sarai were childless when God made the covenant to make a great nation of their descendants. Christians trace their lineage back to that covenant, counting themselves as descendants through faith in Jesus Christ. This inheritance is open to people of every nation, as numerous as the stars in the heavens, if one could count them. Peace.

 

[rose321]

Gen 24

Respectfully opinion only…pondering on all that is written…wanting not to leave out Genesis 25 is when God makes his Covenant with Abra renamed Abraham will be the ancestor of a …multitude of nations, important to note God provides for such to be accomplish? Abraham lives into old age, bore’s more children… offspring?

Abraham as written also in Genesis…
2 wives,
Wive /Sarah gave birth to Abraham a son… Issa?
Wive/ Keturah gave birth to 6 more sons of Abraham?
Hagar/ a slave woman a servant gave birth to Abraham …a son Ishamel?
Abraham had many concubines who also gave birth to his children is this not written also?

Concubines were common as written in OT? King David had wives and man concubines, Solomon had many such ancient culture customs continued… much later after Abraham time, right?

Not uncommon in ancient time for a Husband Father, to …separate… from their wives, families gone for months… to do family business, etc meet up with adult offspring also who settle all over? Is it written also>>did Abraham not later meet up with his son Ishamel, where?

Did Issac not meet up with Ishmael to bury their Father?
Did Jacob not meet up later in life with his brother Esau?
Did Joseph not also meet up with his brothers?
Can list more all written in OT?

Written in Genesis…much later “both” of theses Sons, Issac & Ishmael come to.bury their Father Abraham… east of Hebron?

A husband being separated… from ones wive or family was common and not looked upon like …modern times today the meaning of the word separation from ones husband…those hearing such automatically think they are divorced or etc today??

In Abraham ancient times, historically written also, Wives were left to …care for the Household and Household day to day business, family property, children etc while the husband was off sometimes for months…if not more year etc

For travel was hugely difficult, terrains, weather, lack of food, water, shelter, hundreds or if not thousand miles away doing business or what ever ? Traveling also with animals etc…no surprise if separated from their wives for months on end or maybe even a year or more?? etc.

Abraham as written…returns …to bury his wife Sarah?
So Abraham was not in Hebron when Sarah dies was he?

…Forgot to mention Genesis 25?..

God provides for Abraham to become the …ancestor of a multitude of Nations??

According to Torah Law, about The Laws of Divorce… was a huge no no …unless a wife was unfaithful?
Sarah I do not believe was unfaithful!!!

Opinion only respectfully>>Assuming then Abraham was gone away for months separating him from Sarah his wive, as written, Abraham …returns.to bury his wife Sarah…who dies while Abraham is gone away. Abraham… returns hearing such to bury his wive Sarah in Hebron? As it is written also?

Opinion only answer to…

Abraham was physically separated from his wive Sarah, but not legally separated from his wife Sarah, for Abraham returns…as written to bury his wife. Peace

 

[Crocus]

Though Abraham had other children, the covenant referred to in Gen 17 concerns Sarah and their son Isaac.

Gen 17:3-4 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations.

Gen 17:19 God said, “No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.

Edit to add: I have no problem with your description of absences for normal practical reasons, however that was not subject of the OP use of word “separation.”

 

[rose321]

Gen 17:3-4 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations.

There is more that goes with this Covenant made also? Circumcise his whole household as a sign between God and Abraham made?

Continue verses that follow, Sarah I will give her a blessing…will have a son

…continue reading Abraham concerns follows asking what about his son Ishmael born of the slave woman Hagar? What promise Blessing does God give Abraham for Ishmael?

Gen 17:19 after Abraham obeyed circumcises his whole household?

Respectfully toward opinion only …

Begin at the beginning of
Chapter 17:1-5 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, " I am God Almighty: walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you and will make you exceedingly numerous."

This Covenant is not made with Sarah, but this Covenant Promise is made with Abraham. If Abraham also follows the instruction obeys, to remain blameless, Abraham circumcises his household which he does, Ishmael included? What follows after Abraham remaining blameless, the Promise Covenant is with held and then the others from Abraham remaining blameless>>>all receive their own blessings?

Genesis 17:2 " And I will make my covenant between me and you"…notice the word …You? Me and You? Not between Sarah is God making it with is he?

And repeats this many times, Me and You again…
Genesis 17 : 4 " As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations" …:

All through out Genesis Chapter 17 alone, the word …YOU>> is repeated making it very clear who this Covenant ;God is making it with…Abraham not Sarah…And as long as Abraham walks before God and be blameless…

Repeats again Genesis 17;9 God said to Abraham, " As for you, you shall keep my Covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations"

The Covenant will stand only if Abraham does not break it while he lives, he is to live blameless ( no mention if your wife Sarah does also?).

Continuing reading God further explains
God repeats his Covenant with Abraham in Genesis chapter 25 to make it clearer who it will all entail and who will benefit from? All those circumcised also? As a sign between God and your offspring?

This Promise Covenant was made with>>> you>> Abraham

Chapter 17 : 2 tells us and continues to repeat over over over again Covenant between me and you ? God and Abraham not with Sarah

Genesis 17: 2 "I will make my covenant between me and you and l will make you (Abraham) exceedingly numerous.