Genesis 23:17 Meaning, Commentary and Cross References KJV NIV ESV NLT

Genesis 23:17 kjv

And the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure

Genesis 23:17 nkjv

So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded

Genesis 23:17 niv

So Ephron's field in Machpelah near Mamre?both the field and the cave in it, and all the trees within the borders of the field?was deeded

Genesis 23:17 esv

So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over

Genesis 23:17 nlt

So Abraham bought the plot of land belonging to Ephron at Machpelah, near Mamre. This included the field itself, the cave that was in it, and all the surrounding trees.

Genesis 23 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Meaning

Genesis 23:17 formally declares the completion of Abraham's purchase of the field of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite. It signifies the legal establishment of the property, including the cave within it and all appurtenances like trees and defined boundaries, as Abraham's permanent, inalienable possession. This event marks the first piece of the Promised Land that Abraham, a sojourner, tangibly owns, serving as a physical down payment on God’s larger land covenant.

Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
Gen 12:7	Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land."	God's initial land promise.
Gen 13:15	for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.	Reiteration of the land covenant.
Gen 17:8	And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan...	Covenant specifies Canaan as promised land.
Gen 23:4	"I am a sojourner and resident among you; give me property among you for a burying place..."	Abraham identifies as a sojourner seeking land.
Gen 23:16	Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver...	Confirmation of the payment, signifying legal transfer.
Gen 25:8-10	Then Abraham breathed his last... his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah...	Abraham's burial in the purchased plot.
Gen 49:29-32	He charged them, saying, "I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave...	Jacob's instructions for burial in Machpelah.
Gen 50:13	For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah...	Jacob's burial fulfilling his request.
Ex 6:8	I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham...	God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant.
Num 34:2	"Command the people of Israel, and say to them, ‘When you enter the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall...	Later distribution of the promised land.
Deut 1:8	See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land...	God commanding Israel to take the promised land.
Jos 1:6	"Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers...	Joshua to lead Israel into their inheritance.
Psa 39:12	Hear my prayer, O Lord... For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers.	Echoes the patriarchal status of sojourners.
Acts 7:5	Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot's length, but promised that he would give it to him...	Stephen's sermon confirming Abraham owned no land initially.
Heb 11:8-10	By faith Abraham obeyed... he went out, not knowing where he was going. For he was looking forward to the city...	Abraham's faith in God's future promise, not current possession.
Heb 11:13	These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar...	Patriarchs living as aliens, trusting in promises.
Heb 11:14-16	For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland... they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.	Spiritual longing beyond earthly possession.
1 Pet 2:11	Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh...	Believers are spiritual sojourners on earth.

Context

Genesis chapter 23 recounts the death of Sarah, Abraham's wife, at the age of 127 in Kiriath-arba (Hebron). Abraham, then a "sojourner and resident alien," lacked a burial plot. This prompted him to engage in an elaborate and culturally significant negotiation with the local Hittite community for the purchase of a burial ground. He specifically sought to purchase the cave of Machpelah and its surrounding field from Ephron the Hittite, emphasizing his desire for an undisputed, permanent possession for burial. The meticulous details of the transaction—the public negotiation at the city gate, Abraham's refusal of a free gift in favor of purchase, the precise measurement of silver paid, and the detailed description of the property—reflect ancient Near Eastern legal customs, particularly Hittite land law, which demanded clear and thorough documentation of property transfers to avoid future disputes. Verse 17 formally records the successful conclusion and legal ratification of this specific land purchase, marking a pivotal moment where Abraham physically obtains a piece of the land that God had promised to him and his descendants for generations.

Word analysis

* **So the field of Ephron:** This phrase signifies the property's former ownership and now its successful transfer. It highlights the exact piece of land Abraham purchased.* **which was in Machpelah:** Identifies the precise geographical location. *Machpelah* (מַכְפֵּלָה, Makpelah) literally means "double portion" or "double cave," possibly referring to the cave's structure or its double significance as a field with a cave. It became the patriarchs' burial place.* **which was before Mamre:** Further pinpoints the location relative to Mamre, a familiar place where Abraham had dwelt and built an altar to the Lord (Gen 13:18). This geographical detail solidifies its connection to Abraham's known movements.* **the field and the cave which was in it:** These are the primary objects of the transaction. The cave was the crucial element for burial, while the surrounding field was included to ensure full control and privacy for the tomb.* **and all the trees that were in the field:** This phrase emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the legal transfer. In ancient land sales, specifying trees, boundaries, and other appurtenances was vital to prevent future claims or disputes, demonstrating a full and indisputable transfer of ownership of every feature of the land.* **which were within all the borders all around:** Reinforces the full extent of the property purchased. The legal documentation ensured no ambiguity regarding the perimeter of Abraham’s newly acquired possession. This meticulous description is consistent with ancient Near Eastern land deeds.* **were deeded:** The Hebrew verb here is *wa-yaqam* (וַיָּקָם), meaning "it stood up," "it was established," or "it was confirmed." This verb denotes the legal validity and permanent establishment of the transaction. It's not merely "given" or "handed over," but formally and irrevocably constituted as legally binding.* **to Abraham:** Clearly states the recipient of the property rights, confirming Abraham as the new legal owner.* **for a possession:** The Hebrew term is *achuzzah* (אֲחֻזָּה), which means "a possession," "a property," or "an inheritance." This term often refers to inalienable land holdings that were part of a family’s patrimony, signifying a permanent, transmissible right of ownership rather than a temporary lease or gift. It connects this purchase directly to the future national inheritance of the land by Abraham’s descendants.

Commentary

Genesis 23:17 succinctly seals Abraham’s first actual acquisition of land in the Promised Land. This meticulous verse highlights the thoroughness of the legal transaction, underscoring Abraham’s integrity and commitment to securing an undisputed claim. While God had promised the entire land to Abraham's descendants, Abraham’s act of purchasing a specific plot—even a small one for burial—demonstrates his faith in God’s future promises. It serves as a symbolic "down payment," validating his belief that the land would indeed belong to his offspring. The detailed enumeration of the property's features—field, cave, trees, borders—reflects the precision of ancient land contracts and provides clear proof of ownership. This act secured a physical foothold in Canaan, providing a permanent burial place for the patriarchs and matriarchs, grounding their physical remains in the land destined for their descendants.

Bonus section

The careful details of the land purchase in Genesis 23, culminating in verse 17, are remarkable for their striking similarity to documented Hittite legal practices regarding real estate transactions. Scholars note elements such as the public declaration before witnesses at the city gate (Gen 23:10, 18), the polite back-and-forth negotiation, the emphasis on including all improvements and appurtenances (like the trees and boundaries), and the specified silver payment by weight. This provides strong corroboration of the biblical narrative’s historical verisimilitude during the patriarchal period. Abraham's insistence on purchasing the land rather than accepting it as a gift was critical. Receiving it as a gift might imply he was a vassal of the Hittites or had conditional tenure, making future claims problematic. By paying full price, Abraham ensured undisputed, permanent ownership, asserting his autonomy and the independent basis of his claim, foreshadowing his descendants’ ultimate possession of the entire land. This episode showcases Abraham's integrity, business acumen, and unwavering faith, even as he navigates the sorrow of Sarah's death and secures a place of rest in the promised but yet-to-be-inherited land.