Genesis 23:16 kjv

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.

Genesis 23:16 nkjv

And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants.

Genesis 23:16 niv

Abraham agreed to Ephron's terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants.

Genesis 23:16 esv

Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants.

Genesis 23:16 nlt

So Abraham agreed to Ephron's price and paid the amount he had suggested ? 400 pieces of silver, weighed according to the market standard. The Hittite elders witnessed the transaction.

Genesis 23 verses

Genesis 23 16 Meaning

Genesis 23:16 details Abraham's purchase of the Cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite, providing a precise record of the transaction. This verse specifically records the agreed price: four hundred shekels of silver, weighed out as "current money with the merchant," in the public hearing of Ephron's people. This act formally seals the first acquisition of a piece of the Promised Land by Abraham, solidifying his rightful claim to the burial ground for his family and implicitly for his future descendants.

Genesis 23 16 Context

Genesis chapter 23 focuses entirely on the death of Sarah, Abraham's beloved wife, and Abraham's urgent need for a proper burial place for her in the land where God had promised his descendants would dwell. Though God had promised Abraham the entire land of Canaan, at this point Abraham owned no physical part of it. He approaches the Hittite inhabitants of Hebron (Kiriath-arba), respectfully seeking to purchase a burial site. The transaction, especially detailed in verses 10-20, adheres to the established legal and social protocols of the ancient Near East, conducted publicly at the city gate before witnesses. Ephron, a son of Heth, initially offers the field and the cave as a gift, a common maneuver to drive up the actual price. Abraham, however, insists on purchasing the property outright to ensure undisputed ownership, leading to the negotiation and the precise weighing of silver described in verse 16. This land acquisition marks the very first instance of the promised land coming into Abraham's possession, securing a familial burial ground that would also become the resting place for himself and future patriarchs.

Genesis 23 16 Word analysis

• And Abraham listened to Ephron: Signifies Abraham's active engagement and agreement with the proposed terms of the sale, demonstrating respect for the established negotiation process. He was ready to accept the publicly stated price without further haggling.
• and Abraham weighed to Ephron: The Hebrew verb is vayyishqol (וַיִּשְׁקֹ֤ל), meaning "and he weighed." In ancient Near Eastern societies, before the widespread use of standardized coinage, silver was a primary medium of exchange. Payments were made by weighing silver on a scale, not by counting coins. This action confirms the practical execution of the payment.
• the silver: Hebrew hakesef (הַכֶּ֔סֶף), simply "the silver." Silver was a valuable metal and served as the common currency, signifying a material payment for the transaction.
• which he had named: Referring to Ephron, who had previously declared the price of four hundred shekels in Genesis 23:15. This emphasizes that Abraham paid the exact price publicly stated by the seller.
• in the hearing of the sons of Heth: This indicates a public and legally transparent transaction. The "sons of Heth" (Hittites) served as official witnesses to the agreement, validating its legality according to their customs. Public witness ensured that there would be no dispute about the terms or the ownership later.
• four hundred shekels of silver: Hebrew arbaʿ meʾôt sheqel kesef (אַרְבַּ֤ע מֵא֣וֹת שֶׁ֔קֶל כֶּ֔סֶף). A "shekel" (שֶׁקֶל) was a unit of weight (approximately 11.5 grams, though varying regionally and over time), not a coin. Four hundred shekels was a substantial sum, reflecting the high value placed on the land and Abraham's commitment to secure outright ownership. It signifies a significant investment and considerable wealth on Abraham's part.
• current money with the merchant: Hebrew ʿovēr lassōḥēr (עֹבֵ֖ר לַסֹּחֵֽר), literally "passing to the merchant" or "acceptable to the merchant." This critical phrase refers to silver that was pure, untainted, unalloyed, and of the recognized standard weight and quality for trade. It means the silver was unadulterated and accepted without question by those engaged in commerce, guaranteeing its value and preventing any dispute regarding its authenticity or purity. This also implies an honest business transaction on Abraham's part.

Genesis 23 16 Bonus section

• Purity and Trust: The emphasis on "current money with the merchant" serves as a subtle counterpoint to potential deceptive practices common in trade at the time, highlighting Abraham's integrity and God's standard of righteous dealings that would later be codified in the Law (e.g., Lev 19:36, Deut 25:15).
• The Power of Legal Precedent: This meticulously documented land purchase sets a vital precedent for future generations of Abraham's family. It ensures their claim to this small, yet symbolically significant, piece of land is undisputed and rooted in a legitimate transaction, anchoring their future inheritance in physical reality.
• First Acquired Inheritance: While the covenant promises land on a grand scale, the Cave of Machpelah is the first physical piece of that promise truly owned by Abraham. It’s an "earnest payment" for a far greater inheritance.

Genesis 23 16 Commentary

Genesis 23:16 captures a pivotal moment: Abraham's first land acquisition in Canaan. Far from a mere financial transaction, it is deeply symbolic, representing the tangible beginning of God's land promise being fulfilled through legal, rightful possession. Abraham, though immensely wealthy, initially owns no part of the Promised Land promised to him and his descendants. This verse underscores his insistence on a legitimate purchase, rather than accepting a 'gift' from Ephron, which would have implied an inferior status or potential future claims. By "weighing" the exact "four hundred shekels of silver," Abraham meticulously adheres to ancient customs where silver's value was verified by weight and purity, symbolized by "current money with the merchant." This phrase certifies the integrity of the silver—it was not debased, ensuring the validity of the contract. The presence of the "sons of Heth" as witnesses at the city gate underscores the public and legal binding nature of the agreement, preventing future disputes. This conscientious approach by Abraham not only secures a burial place for Sarah but also establishes the patriarchal burial ground, reinforcing his and his family's enduring claim to a part of the land God swore to them. It stands as an example of honest dealings and the patriarch's commitment to God's covenant even in sorrow.