Genesis 23:17

Translations

Modern

So 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

Traditional

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

Literal

And the field of Ephron that was in Machpelah, that was before Mamre—the field and the cave that was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all its surrounding border—was established

Latin

Confirmatusque est ager quondam Ephronis, in quo erat spelunca duplex, respiciens Mambre, tam ipse, quam spelunca, et omnes arbores ejus in cunctis terminis ejus per circuitum,

Original

Hebrew

English

So 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

Notes

Genesis 23:16–20

Abraham paid the full amount and completed the deal. He avoided debt by not accepting gifts from the people (compare 14:21–24). The Hittite elders witnessed the deal, ensuring no one could dispute Abraham's ownership of the land. The transaction happened at the city gate, where they conducted public legal and business matters (see 19:1).

The land became Abraham's permanent property, a first step toward God's promise to give him the land. God had not yet fulfilled his promise with this purchase. Abraham knew it, so he planned for the future (12:7). By buying land for his dead, he showed that God's promises continue beyond this life. This is the hope for all who die with faith.

Genesis 23:1–20

She died: Abraham bought a piece of land for Sarah's burial. This was the first sign of a permanent change, as people usually buried their dead in their ancestral homeland (compare 49:29–50:13). By burying Sarah, Abraham separated himself from his ancestral home (where his relatives still lived, 22:20–24). His future would be in Canaan, where his descendants would fulfill the promise.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Hittites Sarah Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 25:9
His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite.
Genesis 50:13
They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.
Genesis 23:20
So the field and its cave were deeded by the Hittites to Abraham as a burial site.
Acts 7:16
Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.
Genesis 49:29–32
Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite.
Psalm 112:5
It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
Colossians 4:5
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Ephesians 5:15
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Ruth 4:7–10
Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Jeremiah 32:7–14
Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’

People

Ephron: A Hittite who sold a burial site to Abraham

Places

Machpelah: A cave near Hebron; burial place of patriarchs Mamre: A place near Hebron; associated with Abraham

Glossary

Abraham Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Burial, Burial Customs Ebla Tablets Elder Ephron (Person) Gate Genesis, Book of Hebron (Place) Hittites Isaac Machpelah Patriarchs, Period of the Sarah

Topics

Abraham: He Purchases a Place for Her Burial, and Buries Her in a Cave Cave: Burial Place Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Transfers of Property Made Before Covenants: Conditions of Witnessed Ephron: Son of Zohar, the Hittite: Sells to Abraham the Field Containing the Cave Machpelah Hittites: Dwelling Place of Land: Bought and Sold Land: Conveyance of, by Written Deeds and Other Forms Machpelah: The Burying Place of Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob Property in Real Estate Trees were Sold with the Land on Which They Grew Witness: To the Transfer of Land

Genesis 23:17

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