Genesis 23:12

¹¹“No, my lord. Listen to me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.”¹²Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land¹³and said to Ephron in their presence, “If you will please listen to me, I will pay you the price of the field. Accept it from me, so that I may bury my dead there.”

Sermons

(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5

Chuck Smith

1.8K

Summary

In this verse, Abraham respectfully requests to purchase a burial plot from the Hittites for his deceased wife Sarah. This demonstrates the cultural customs of the time, where owning a family burial site was significant. Abraham's willingness to pay a fair price reflects his honor and respect for Sarah, as well as his desire to honor her in death. The negotiation process that follows reveals the importance of proper burial practices and the value of honoring loved ones even after they have passed away. Ultimately, this verse highlights the importance of honoring and remembering the deceased in a dignified manner.

Commentary

John Gill
Tyndale

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land. Showing hereby great respect, and giving much honour both to them and Ephron; and signifying that he had something to say, and desired audience of them, and humbly submitted to them what he should say. And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land. Showing hereby great respect, and giving much honour both to them and Ephron; and signifying that he had something to say, and desired audience of them, and humbly submitted to them what he should say. Genesis 23:13 gen 23:13 gen 23:13 gen 23:13And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land,.... He addressed himself to Ephron who spoke last, with an audible voice, so that all could hear him: saying, but if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me; the words are very concise, and in the original text are only "if thou", and differently supplied; by some, "if thou art he" (c), Ephron, whom it is supposed Abraham knew not by face, or that he was present; which is not likely, since Abraham had lived in those parts now so as to be well known himself, and must know his neighbours; and had lived formerly here, and could not but know so great a prince as Ephron, whose city he dwelt in. The Targum of Jonathan is,"if thou art willing to do me a kindness, hear me;''it will be taken as a favour to admit me to speak once more, and to grant what shall be desired. Others read the words thus,"if thou wilt hear me, or I pray thee hear me, or if thou, if (I say) thou wilt hear me (d):''then follows his proposal: I will give thee the money for the field; Abraham did not choose to receive it as a free gift, but to make a purchase of it, that it might be sure to him and his posterity; for though Ephron was now in this generous mood, he might change his mind, or hereafter upbraid Abraham with it, should he fall out with him, or his posterity might claim it again, and dispute his right to it: take it of me: the purchase money, the full worth of the field: and I will bury my dead there, or "then will I bury", &c. (e); and not before. (c) "si tu is es", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Ainsworth. (d) "Auscultares", so Tigurine version; "si tu", Schmidt. (e) "et tum sepeliam", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "tunc", Schmidt.