Genesis 23:15 kjv

My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

Genesis 23:15 nkjv

"My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead."

Genesis 23:15 niv

"Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead."

Genesis 23:15 esv

"My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead."

Genesis 23:15 nlt

"My lord, please listen to me. The land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends? Go ahead and bury your dead."

Genesis 23 verses

Genesis 23 15 Meaning

Genesis 23:15 captures Ephron the Hittite's response to Abraham's request to purchase the Cave of Machpelah as a burial place for Sarah. Ephron states the land's value as "four hundred shekels of silver" while feigning indifference to the sum by asking "what is that betwixt me and thee?", implying it is a trifle. He then urges Abraham to "bury therefore thy dead." This exchange, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern negotiation, reveals Ephron's true intention of charging a significant, non-negotiable price, which Abraham readily accepts to secure his family's first property in the promised land.

Genesis 23 15 Context

Genesis chapter 23 immediately follows the challenging narrative of the sacrifice of Isaac and marks a pivotal point in Abraham's life: the death of his beloved wife, Sarah, at the age of 127. Her passing necessitates a burial place, prompting Abraham, a sojourner in the land promised to him, to approach the local inhabitants, the Hittites, to secure a burial plot. Despite God's earlier promise of the entire land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants (Gen 12:7, 15:18, 17:8), Abraham must purchase the first piece of this land himself. This seemingly paradoxical situation highlights the nature of God's timing and Abraham's continued trust and faith even when the promise does not manifest in the immediate, conventional way. The negotiation for the Cave of Machpelah is detailed and public, occurring "in the hearing of the sons of Heth" (Gen 23:10), indicating its legal and binding nature according to ancient Near Eastern customs. Ephron's response in verse 15 is a key moment in this negotiation, revealing the shrewdness common in transactions of the period.

Genesis 23 15 Word analysis

• "My lord," (Adoni, אֲדֹנִ֤י): A deferential term of address used for a superior or esteemed person, similar to "sir" or "my master." It reflects Ephron's respect for Abraham, acknowledging his status as a "prince of God" (Gen 23:6), yet it can also be a rhetorical softener in a negotiation.
• "hearken to me:" (Shema, שְׁמָעֵ֨נִי): Literally "hear me" or "listen to me." This is a polite but firm request for Abraham's undivided attention, preceding the crucial part of Ephron's counter-offer. It conveys that what follows is important and requires a specific response.
• "the land is worth" (ha'arets me'at, הָאָ֨רֶץ כֶּ֤סֶף): "The land silver..." This directly states the proposed price for the requested field, making clear that the property has a defined monetary value in silver.
• "four hundred shekels of silver;" (arbah me'ot sheqel kesef, אַרְבַּ֣ע מֵא֣וֹת שֶׁ֤קֶל כֶּ֨סֶף֙): Specifies the exact amount of payment. A sheqel (or shekel) was primarily a unit of weight, not a coin, typically about 11.5 grams (though varying by region/period). 400 shekels of silver was an extremely substantial sum for the time, indicating either the high value placed on land, particularly choice land with a cave, or a steep price charged by Ephron given Abraham's evident need. It highlights the full price paid by Abraham, which secures undisputed legal ownership. For comparison, Jeremiah bought a field for 17 shekels (Jer 32:9). This sum implies a significant investment and legally sound transaction.
• "what is that betwixt me and thee?" (Ma hi benei u'beineka, מַה־הִ֖וא בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֑ךָ): This is a rhetorical question, feigning nonchalance or generosity. In ancient Near Eastern negotiation, such phrases were common to appear magnanimous while still clearly stating the expected (and often high) price. It functions as a diplomatic way of saying, "This sum should not be a problem between us, friends, so let us conclude this deal."
• "bury therefore thy dead." (Qebor metekha, קְבֹ֖ר מֵתֶֽךָ): A direct, somewhat abrupt command. It concludes the offer by essentially saying, "The price has been named, the matter is settled, now proceed with the burial." It implies that Ephron has agreed to the sale on his stated terms and expects Abraham to proceed by accepting those terms. This highlights the urgent reason for Abraham's transaction.

Genesis 23 15 Bonus section

This transaction in Genesis 23 serves as a legal and symbolic anchor for the Abrahamic covenant regarding the land. Even though Abraham "possessed none of it, not even a foot's length" (Acts 7:5), his insistence on buying the burial ground solidifies his future descendants' claim to the territory. The act of Abraham purchasing a burial site demonstrates the steadfastness of God's promise through a tangible act of faith. It becomes a permanent familial grave for Sarah, Abraham himself (Gen 25:9-10), Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 49:31), and Jacob and Leah (Gen 49:29-30; 50:13). This repeated emphasis on their burial in the purchased field of Machpelah signifies an enduring ancestral connection to the promised land, foreshadowing Israel's eventual possession of the entire territory. This land purchase, a testament to faith, contrasts with military conquest or royal decree, indicating that Abraham's claim, though small, was undeniable through a formal, widely witnessed, and fully paid transaction. It establishes a significant precedent for secure ownership and inheritance in ancient Israelite law, rooting future generations' claims firmly in Abraham's integrity and adherence to fair practice.

Genesis 23 15 Commentary

Genesis 23:15 provides a concise yet profound insight into ancient Near Eastern real estate transactions and the beginning of Abraham's tangible connection to the Promised Land. Ephron's carefully constructed response is a masterclass in ancient diplomacy and shrewd business. While his words "what is that betwixt me and thee?" appear magnanimous, dismissing the monetary sum as trivial, the very precision of "four hundred shekels of silver" reveals his true intent to secure full payment. This negotiation, carried out publicly at the city gate "in the hearing of all who went in at the gate of his city" (Gen 23:10), emphasizes the legality and witnesses essential to such an important covenant or purchase.

Abraham, rather than accepting the land as a gift—though the Hittites offered him the "choicest of our tombs"—insists on paying "the full price" (Gen 23:9, 13). This act of purchasing the land, rather than accepting it freely, establishes an undeniable, unencumbered legal title for Abraham and his descendants to the Cave of Machpelah. This small parcel becomes the very first actual land possession of the family of Abraham in Canaan, not granted, but bought and paid for. It underscores Abraham's faith that even if he must purchase a piece of the promised land at a significant cost, it is still God's promise being progressively fulfilled, securing a place for the dead and, by extension, a future for the living within the land. This episode is also a testament to Abraham's integrity, ensuring fair dealings, reflecting the ethical principles of future Israelite law (e.g., Deut 25:15). It shows how a spiritual promise can manifest through very practical, legal, and often costly earthly means.