Genesis 23:18
Genesis 23:18 in Multiple Translations
to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.
Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
Became the property of Abraham before the eyes of the children of Heth and of all who came into the town.
This all became Abraham's property, and the transaction was witnessed by the Hittites who were there at the town gate.
Vnto Abraham for a possession, in ye sight of the Hittites, euen of all that went in at the gates of his citie.
to Abraham by purchase, before the eyes of the sons of Heth, among all entering the gate of his city.
to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.
To Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that entered the gate of his city.
Was made sure to Abraham for a possession, in the sight of the children of Heth, and of all that went in at the gate of his city.
It became Abraham’s property as all the descendants of Heth were listening there at the city gate.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 23:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 23:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְ/אַבְרָהָ֥ם
לְ/מִקְנָ֖ה
לְ/עֵינֵ֣י
בְנֵי
חֵ֑ת
בְּ/כֹ֖ל
בָּאֵ֥י
שַֽׁעַר
עִירֽ/וֹ
לְ/אַבְרָהָ֥ם
ʼAbrâhâm
H85
Abraham
Prep | N-proper
לְ/מִקְנָ֖ה
miqnâh
H4736
purchase
Prep | N-fs
לְ/עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
חֵ֑ת
Chêth
H2845
Heth
N-proper
בְּ/כֹ֖ל
kôl
H3605
all
Prep | N-ms
בָּאֵ֥י
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal
שַֽׁעַר
shaʻar
H8179
gate
N-ms
עִירֽ/וֹ
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 23:18
לְ/אַבְרָהָ֥ם
ʼAbrâhâm
H85
"Abraham"
Prep | N-proper
Abraham was a key figure in the Bible, the later name of Abram, and father of many children, including Ishmael and Isaac. He is first mentioned in Genesis 11:26 and his story is told throughout the book of Genesis. Abraham's life and faith are still studied today.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26; son of: Terah (H8646); brother of: Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Sarah (H8283), Hagar (H1904) and Keturah (H6989); father of: Ishmael (H3458), Isaac (H3327), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); also called Abram at Gen.11.26--17.5; 2x § Abraham = "father of a multitude" or "chief of multitude" friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God's elective covenant
Usage: Occurs in 159 OT verses. KJV: Abraham. See also: Genesis 17:5; Genesis 24:9; Psalms 47:10.
לְ/מִקְנָ֖ה
miqnâh
H4736
"purchase"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word means to buy or acquire something, like a piece of land or property, and can also refer to the price paid for it, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) purchase 1a) purchase 1b) purchase-price 1c) possession (gained by purchase)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: (he that is) bought, possession, piece, purchase. See also: Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 25:16; Jeremiah 32:11.
לְ/עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
חֵ֑ת
Chêth
H2845
"Heth"
N-proper
Refers to Heth, a descendant of Canaan, who was an aboriginal Canaanite mentioned in Genesis 10:15 as the father of the Hittites.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.10.15; son of: Canaan (H3667); brother of: Sidon (H6721), Jebusite (H2983), Amorite (H0567), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577); also called Hittite (KJV: "of Heth") frequently Also named: chit.ti (חִתִּי "Hittite" H2850) § Heth = "terror" a son of Canaan and the progenitor of the Hittites
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: Heth. See also: Genesis 10:15; Genesis 23:18; 1 Chronicles 1:13.
בְּ/כֹ֖ל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בָּאֵ֥י
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
שַֽׁעַר
shaʻar
H8179
"gate"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.
Definition: : gate 1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place) 1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven
Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.
עִירֽ/וֹ
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
Study Notes — Genesis 23:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Death and Burial of Sarah
16Abraham 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 standard of the merchants.
17So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over
18to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.
19After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20So the field and its cave were deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruth 4:1 | Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 32:12 | and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard. |
| 3 | Genesis 34:20 | So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and addressed the men of their city: |
Genesis 23:18 Summary
Genesis 23:18 tells us that Abraham officially owned the field of Ephron after the transaction was witnessed by the Hittites. This shows that Abraham was a man of his word and conducted his business dealings in a fair and honest way, which is an important part of being a follower of God (as seen in Proverbs 10:9). It also reminds us that our actions should reflect our faith and values, just as Abraham's actions did in this situation (similar to the teaching in Matthew 5:16). By studying this verse, we can learn more about what it means to live a life that honors God in our daily interactions with others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Hittites being present when Abraham acquired the field of Ephron?
The presence of the Hittites in Genesis 23:18 signifies that the transaction between Abraham and Ephron was a public affair, witnessed by the local community, much like the practice of having witnesses in Deuteronomy 19:15. This emphasizes the legitimacy of Abraham's possession of the land.
Why did Abraham need to purchase land from Ephron if God had already promised him the entire land of Canaan?
Abraham's purchase of the land from Ephron, as recorded in Genesis 23:18, demonstrates his faith in God's promise while also respecting the current inhabitants and their customs, similar to the instructions given in Leviticus 25:23-24 regarding the purchase of land within the community.
How does this transaction relate to the broader story of Abraham's life and faith?
The acquisition of the field of Ephron, as noted in Genesis 23:18, marks an important step in Abraham's journey, as it provides a burial place for his wife Sarah and symbolizes his commitment to the Promised Land, reflecting the promise made to him in Genesis 12:7.
What can we learn from Abraham's actions in this verse about being a good witness to others?
Abraham's actions in Genesis 23:18 show that he was a man of integrity who conducted his business dealings in a way that honored God, providing a good witness to the Hittites, much like the principle found in Matthew 5:16 to let our light shine before others.
Reflection Questions
- How does Abraham's purchase of the field of Ephron demonstrate his trust in God's promises, and what can I learn from his example about trusting God in my own life?
- In what ways can I, like Abraham, be a good steward of the resources God has given me, and how can I use them to bless others?
- What are some ways I can show respect and kindness to those around me, even if they are not believers, just as Abraham did with the Hittites in Genesis 23:18?
- How can I balance my desire to follow God's will with the need to interact with and respect the customs of the world around me, as Abraham did in this transaction?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 23:18
Unto Abraham for a possession,.... To be enjoyed by him and his for ever, as his own property, being purchased by his money: in the presence of the children of Heth; they being witnesses of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 23:18
Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city. The field of Ephron was made sure unto Abraham for a possession.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 23:18
Genesis 23:18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.Ver. 18. Unto Abraham for a possession.] Thus Abraham, as a purchaser, had some land in Canaan; but not as possessed of it by God’ s gift, which is St Stephen’ s sense.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 23:18
18. all that went in at] See note on Genesis 23:10. The necessary witnesses of the transaction. There is no document to be attested.
Sermons on Genesis 23:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 23:10-20 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the politeness and civility of Abraham and the people of the land during a transaction. The speaker emphasizes that despite the common percept |
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Marriage Series #4 - Ruth & Boaz by Don McClure | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Ruth and its significance in the context of the spiritual state of the children of Israel during that time. The book portrays a c |
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The Kinsman Redeemer by G.W. North | G.W. North explores the concept of the Kinsman Redeemer, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of redemption as presented in both the Old and New Testaments. He highlights that redem |