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Podcast Host
This is an iHeart podcast.
Salam
This is Salam. I serve the Lord in the Middle east with Help The Persecuted@htm.org Once I heard about a family who fled their city because they trusted Christ as their Savior. I wanted to encourage the family before preaching at church that night. I told them that the Lord will never forsake them. The man answered, when we were in darkness, he was with us. This man reminded me that the Lord is working in the darkness to bring to the light those who are seeking the truth. I was reminded of the biblical truth in Isaiah 9:2 the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death. Upon them a light was shined. May his light shine upon you.
Abraham
Learn more about the work of Help.
Narrator
The persecuted@htp.org previously on the Chosen People.
Abraham
Abram, you are to go out from your land. Leave your father's house and your relatives behind and go to the land. I will show you. You have to trust me, Sarai. I have weighed the cost. But more importantly, I know in my heart that we must follow the words of this God.
Eleazar
If this is your conviction, then I will follow you.
Abraham
Yes, I don't want to fail them. I. I know I've been a coward before. This is my chance to Abram turned.
Narrator
His face away from Sarai. She tilted her head to meet his gaze, but he refused. Her voice was soft. Behind it was a well of unrequited love. Go and save them. Don't fail and come back home to me.
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Now.
Narrator
As for your wife Sarai, as I.
Abraham
Have given you a new name, she will receive a new one as well.
Narrator
She will be known as Sarah.
Abraham
As you will be the father of many nations, she will also be blessed.
Narrator
I will give you a son by her. I will bless her and she will produce these nations I have spoken of Mighty kings of people will come from her.
Podcast Host
I can't help it. You're never going to believe it. It's finally happened.
Abraham
God's prom promised to us with child.
Podcast Host
You're going to be our father. I have always wondered how you sustained your faith all these years waiting for the impossible. But now I hear his voice too. I hear his voice in the cries of our son here at last. And I hear it in all our laughter. God made me laugh when I first learned of his intentions for my life. But now everyone will laugh with me.
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Podcast Host
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Abraham
My son. It is time.
Narrator
Abraham's sorrow threatened to swallow him whole. Yet nothing could prepare him for the harrowing sight of his son stumbling forward toward his mother's still form. Closing her eyes for the last time. Isaac's tormented wails pierced the air, etching the scene into Abraham's soul forever. Abraham and even Sarah knew this day would come. Her health had declined, and she found she was able to do less and less each day. She struggled with the helplessness of it all. The worst part, she longed to be by Abraham and Isaac's sides and run the household as always. But the task was proving to be too much, as each day she grew weaker and weaker. Isaac, whose spirits were never diminished by anything, stayed by her side as often as possible to bring comfort. Abraham could still hear her laugh, feeble though it had become in her final days, filled with love for the son she had borne in the twilight of her years, the living testament to the promise of her God. The hour had scarcely passed, yet already the news of Sarah's death had swept through the camp and reached even their closest neighbors. Abraham could hear the wailing, chanting and lamentations rising outside the tent, each cry echoing the deep pangs of his own sorrow. The faint, mournful dirge song echoed in the din. Likely the contribution of hired mourners had been added to Abraham's own household. He knew that his faithful servant and friend Eliezer was responsible, for he loved Sarah as well. They sought to honour her now that only her memory remained. Abraham found it hard to focus on the moment he felt untethered and unmoored. Movement upon Sarah's deathbed drew his scattered attention. Isaac backed away from his mother's body. His sobs momentarily stilled as he gasped for breath. With the finality of closing her eyes, he reared back and shrieked, collapsing to the ground and tearing at his garments. The shuddering sobs returned with renewed force. Abraham flung himself down beside his son, weeping with him. Isaac clung to his father, both of them lost in their shared devastation. Abraham had no idea how long they remained like that, lost in the ambient lament of the mourners outside, intermingling with their own despondent keening. His thoughts scattered and frayed with memories of Sarah. Yet a nagging fragment of duty begged him to return to the moment. He needed to make decisions and delegate. There were things to be done, but the thought of doing anything at all was overwhelming. But preparations had to be made for her burial, for to not bury one's loved one, and quickly in the heat of Canaan, was to Invite shame. Abraham tore himself from Isaac's embrace and weakly called for Eliezer. He knew he would be close at hand.
Abraham
Eleazar.
Eleazar
Master Abram. Master Isaac. My heart cries with you. Lady Sarah was a remarkable woman.
Abraham
Thank you, Eleazar. You are a true and loyal friend. I know she. I know she appreciated your service and friendship. But now we must turn to duty, as she would want. We must prepare for burial right away.
Eleazar
Of course, Master. Have you decided where you will bury her?
Narrator
Isaac had quieted beside Abraham and waited for his answer. Abraham had decided where he would bury Sarah. Where he would one day be buried himself and all their descendants after them. He had even discussed it with Sarah at times over the years. The matter arose as they often moved around as their flocks required. Abraham had wanted to be prepared, as he did not know which of them would die first. As much as it pained him to outlive her, he knew that in this he could ensure the plan they had established would come to pass.
Abraham
I have here in Hebron.
Eleazar
Very good, Master. Should I arrange a place for her inside one of their cemeteries?
Narrator
No.
Abraham
I have a different location in mind.
Eleazar
Where, Father?
Abraham
There is a cave not too far from here, known to the locals as Machpelah.
Eleazar
You wish to purchase a cave tomb? Such a space would surely accommodate your family for years to come.
Abraham
Yes, that is my intention.
Eleazar
But Master Abraham, if your desire is to have Lady Sarah laid to rest in a tomb, what of your brother Nahor and the rest of your family? Your father, Terah, is buried back in Harran. Surely it would be proper to bring her back to the land of our family.
Abraham
Sarah and I discussed this many times. Though it would break with tradition. I can think of no better place to lay my. My beloved Sarah, the rest than in the place promised by our God. We have long been strangers and guests, borrowing and renting. But I can think of no better way to establish ourselves here in the Promised Land. In this way, we will always occupy a small part of the land God promised to us, even in death.
Eleazar
So we would now always remain in Hebron?
Abraham
Perhaps not always exactly. Here we must follow the flocks and the crops as they require. But certainly in the land of Canaan. I wish for our family to always be buried here.
Eleazar
And I think Mother would be honored by that. If our family is to remain here in Canaan, I would never want to be too far from her.
Abraham
I know, my son.
Eleazar
The cave of Magpala, you said. Are you sure this isn't because of the old stories the one Mother would tell when I couldn't sleep.
Judge
Oh.
Abraham
Sarah's sense of duty ran deep, even in keeping up with the family histories. But she especially loved the stories.
Eleazar
Master, if you don't mind, what is this Hebrew story?
Abraham
I'm not familiar, Isaac.
Eleazar
The stories say that Adam and Eve, the very first man and woman, the ones who walked with God in the garden, they were buried in a long forgotten cave in this land. The locals of Hebron claim that this cave of Magpula is that very cave.
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Oh.
Eleazar
Oh, I see. That's fascinating, Master Isaac. So is that the reason for this particular cave, Master Abraham?
Abraham
Not quite, Eleazar. Though I don't mind that reason at all. In truth, I have scouted the land in the past and found the cave to be spacious and the land around it is not suitable for farming. So it will always be peaceful and undisturbed. I also happen to know who owns the land that contains the cave.
Eleazar
I think Mother would like the cave and the story.
Abraham
I would think so too.
Eleazar
So there really is no going back to the land of our fathers, is there Master Abraham?
Abraham
No, my friend, there's not. The land of my father is behind me. What lies ahead is the land of my son and his sons. And their sons.
Narrator
When the matter of determining a burial spot for Sarah had been decided, Abraham and Isaac oversaw the preparation of her body. After she was washed, she was wrapped in linen. Abraham and Isaac lovingly placed spices between the folds of the material themselves. Before they departed for the city gate where they hoped to make their sail, they placed her body on a bier within the tent. There it would wait until it could be placed in its final resting place.
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Podcast Host
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Eleazar
Now, Master Isaac, this will be a great opportunity to see your father's skills as a businessman and diplomat. You should take great heed with how he presents himself. Yes, Eleazar.
Abraham
Eleazar. The boy could also learn a great deal by heeding your advice. You sell yourself short. Your counsel has been invaluable. To me over the years.
Eleazar
You honor me, Master Abraham.
Narrator
The men finally approached the city gate, and Abraham's case was called before the judge stationed there. A modest crowd of heathide onlookers were gathered to act as witnesses to whatever business was conducted there. As they stood before the judge, Abraham covertly scanned the gathered men. Ah, there he found the very man he was looking for. He was fairly unremarkable, but had the eye of a shrewd businessman. Abraham knew him by renown alone, but he seemed to be every inch the tycoon the accounts made him out to be.
Judge
Clan leader Abraham, we have heard of your great loss. We grieve with you for the death of your wife and your mother, young masterizer.
Abraham
Thank you, judge.
Judge
What an honor to hear your inquiry.
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Prophet.
Judge
Your reputation precedes you. You are considered among us as a mighty prince of your God. A prophet king.
Narrator
At the judge's words, a memory of King Melchizedek flashed. Abraham fought back the urge to smile at that. How strange had the ascent over his lifetime been to be compared to a true priest of the God Most High of El Elyon. Sarah would have found it amusing as well. Abraham had passed their God's tests of faith, but there had also been many failures along the way. But he would put those failures from his mind today. He had to secure what he was sure would be a lasting piece of their legacy.
Abraham
You honor me, Judge.
Judge
What matter do you wish to be heard before me? I know I need not worship, but I must warn all who speak here before me. Let your words be true before both our great Hethite people as well as our thousand gods. Let their eyes be witnesses to your words and my ruling.
Abraham
Thank you, judge. You are right. My household has suffered a great loss in the death of my wife Sarah. I would seek to bury her here within these lands.
Judge
Of course, of course. Bury your dead in our finest burial place. None of us here will withhold from you his burial place for burying the dead.
Narrator
Good. Abraham's reputation throughout the land had given him favor in the eyes of the heights who held the city of Hebron. Clearly his dealings with the Philistines and their Abimelechs had only bolstered his goodwill with these foreign powers. But now he was to see how far that favor was would go. Abraham stepped forward. Apart from his son and his servant, and despite his advanced years and esteem as a prominent clan leader, he kneeled before the judge and the headite witnesses. Once he was kneeling before them, he laid his palms on the stone before him and Lay prostrate before them. He was the picture of humility.
Abraham
If you are willing for me to bury my dead, listen to me and ask Ephron, son of Zohar, on my behalf, to give me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him. The cave stands at the end of his field. Let him give it to me in your presence, in front of your witnesses and your thousand gods, as well as my God, God Almighty, for the full price. The cave is intended to be a burial portion so that my family would have a resting place that is passed down as an inheritance from generation to generation.
Narrator
There were murmurs in the crowd at that. It was clear that they had been expecting Abraham to request a place in one of their cemeteries. The man Abraham had marked upon his arrival stepped forward, all heads turned to face the wealthy landowner, Ephron, as he strode confidently past the judge to stand before Abraham, eager to strike a bargain with the rich and renowned prophet. Clan leader.
Judge
Clan leader. You may stand, my lord. I admit that I'm surprised that my plot of land has caught your eye. But now, at least listen to me. You have proven yourself to be a great friend and ally in our land. Because you are such a friend, I will give you the field and I will give you the cave that is in it and give it to to you and sight of my people, the children of Heth and our thousand gods.
Narrator
The crowd again murmured amongst itself as Abraham considered this opening move of the bargain. Isaac looked triumphant behind him, but Eleazar, ever the faithful adviser, tugged on his sleeve so that the boy would lean down so he could whisper discreetly in his ear.
Eleazar
This is no gift, Master Isaac. This is the way of the Bedouin merchant. It is a ceremony of sorts, begun long ago when your father first engaged this son of Zohar. Think of this as a gift for a gift, and certainly not this. I see what is next in this ceremony, your father will insist on payment as is right, especially with all these witnesses. They need to validate the eventual land purchase and make it a legal construct. Once Master Abraham confirms he will pay, Ephron will name his price and the bargaining will begin in earnest. So much pretending amongst these city dwellers. I prefer the plain maneuvers of the herders. I confess I do as well, Master Isaac. But it will be beneficial for you to know the ways of the traders as well as the shepherds.
Narrator
Abraham placed his hand over his heart and again bowed before Ephron and the heather standing around him.
Abraham
Listen to me, if you please. Let me pay the price of the field. Accept it from me and let me bury my dead there.
Narrator
With a satisfied smile on his lips, Ephron again smiled slyly, sized up Abraham with a greedy glint in his eye, no doubt weighing how much silver he could squeeze from Abraham.
Judge
My lord, listen to me. The land is worth 400 shekels of.
Narrator
Silver eyes and brows shot up through the onlookers. This was not an outrageous sum of money for the size of the field, but considering that the land could not yield crops or support livestock, Ephron was proposing a severely inflated number that overvalued the land starting so high would strike a bold bargain indeed. Abraham would be forced to keep his figures within range of Ephron's number, not to disrespect him in front of all these witnesses.
Judge
After all, my lord, what is the sum between men such as you and me? Accept my offer and go bear a.
Narrator
Eleazar balked at the merchant's boldness, and Isaac leaned forward to see what his father would do in response.
Abraham
I accept Ephron, son of Zohar.
Narrator
Ephron blinked in surprise, the entire crowd along with him. It was as if Abraham cut out all his bold posturing at the knees, but he quickly recovered, and a triumphant glee spread across his cunning face.
Judge
I must admit, clan leader, you are full of surprises.
Abraham
Eleazar, weigh out the full amount for Ephron before all these witnesses. I would have no one argue that I did not pay the full amount Ephron thought was right for his property. Are you fully satisfied with this bargain, Ephron?
Judge
I am.
Abraham
Then today I mark as the day my family takes the possession of a portion of the land in Canaan.
Narrator
Eleazar stayed behind and weighed out the full 10 pounds worth of silver that would amount to the 400 shekels, a sum the average man would make in wages in 40 years. Sarah was laid to rest in the cave of Machpelah, an act that renounced her and Abraham's homeland of Haran and claimed Canaan as their legal and official home. Mourners, adorned in sackcloths and throwing dust, gathered at the edge of the field to mourn their lady and to comfort her grieving father and son. The tomb was sealed, and in the coming days an upright stone was prepared and brought to the mouth of the cave to mark Sarah's grave. A portion of the inscription upon it read, and the life of Sarah was 127 years. These were all the years of her life. A long life, to be sure, and Abraham hoped that her legacy, just like the promise of his family would be everlasting. Long after the other mourners and members of the household had departed, Abraham and Isaac sat together talking and reminiscing about their life with Sarah.
Abraham
Though we were and continue to be so joiners in this land, I can't help but think of the significant moments that took place here.
Eleazar
Tell me, Father.
Abraham
You know these stories, my son.
Eleazar
I know. But tell me again.
Abraham
You do love your stories, don't you? Let's see. Oh, yes. It was over in those oaks where we first came to settle here in Hebron. That was after I separated from your Uncle Lot. I was saddened to be parted from him, but I was able to forge great friendships and alliances here in Hebron. Why, outside these city walls is where our God appeared to me and told me to gaze up at the stars and try to count them.
Eleazar
Ah, but you could not.
Abraham
I could not.
Narrator
The two men sat outside the cave until the very stars they spoke of began to appear overhead. This prey.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Catena, Max Bard, Zach Shellevaga and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Steven Ringwald, Sylvia zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr. Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Leschinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely and Chris Baig. You can hear more prey.com productions on the prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed the chosen people, please rate and leave a review.
Podcast Host
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Podcast Host
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Eleazar
Running the vacuum.
Podcast Host
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Judge
What a matchup we got, y'.
Podcast Host
All.
Judge
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Narrator
Mmm.
Judge
Yeah, that taste always hits the right note. Just like the band at halftime. And just like that, we're back at it. Passionate fans, school colors everywhere, and an ice cold Coca Cola. That's a winning combo no matter the sport, no matter the yard. Everybody knows fan work is thirsty work. So grab a Coca Cola and keep that HBCU pride going.
Narrator
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Judge
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Abraham
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Podcast Host
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Eleazar
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Judge
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Abraham
On Hulu and Hulu on Disney plus for bundle subscribers.
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Hosted by Pray.com
Release Date: November 12, 2025
In this poignant episode, "Sarah's Passing," the podcast intimately chronicles the death of Sarah, matriarch and wife of Abraham, and the emotional aftermath experienced by her family. Through immersive storytelling, dramatic voice acting, and reverent reflection, listeners are led through Sarah’s final moments, Abraham and Isaac's grief, and the subsequent negotiation for Sarah’s burial site. More than recounting biblical narrative, the episode delves into the lasting significance of faith, legacy, and forging roots in a promised future.
Sarah’s Health and Last Days:
Emotional Farewell:
Family Discussion and Breaking with Tradition:
The Cave of Machpelah:
Approaching the Hittite Community:
Ceremonial Middle Eastern Bargaining:
Finalizing the Purchase:
Sarah’s Burial and Enduring Legacy:
On God’s Promise and Perseverance:
On Burial in the Promised Land:
Negotiation Dynamics:
Mourning Sarah and Recalling Joy:
True to the podcast’s atmosphere, the episode is solemn, heartfelt, and reverent, blending evocative narration, emotive voice work, and moments of quiet contemplation. Although rooted in biblical narrative, the dramatization makes the ancient story feel immediate and deeply personal, emphasizing universal themes of loss, legacy, and hope.
“Sarah’s Passing” is more than a retelling of a patriarchal burial—it is an exploration of what it means to lay down roots in faith, to honor the past while embracing the divine promise of the future, and to process grief within family and community. Through Abraham’s actions, the story bridges the gap between wandering and belonging, sorrow and legacy, laughter and loss.