Bereshis 23:13

13 And he spoke unto Ephron in the hearing of the am ha’aretz, saying, But if thou wilt give it, now, hear me; I will give thee kesef for the sadeh; accept it from me, and I will bury my dead there.

Bereshis 23:13 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 23:13

And 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" ^F3, 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 ^F4:''

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" ^F5; and not before.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hta Ma) "si tu is es", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Ainsworth.
F4 "Auscultares", so Tigurine version; "si tu", Schmidt.
F5 (hrbqaz) "et tum sepeliam", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "tunc", Schmidt.

Bereshis 23:13 In-Context

11 Lo, adoni, hear me; the sadeh give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the bnei ammi give I it thee; bury thy dead.

12 And Avraham bowed down himself before the am ha’aretz.

13 And he spoke unto Ephron in the hearing of the am ha’aretz, saying, But if thou wilt give it, now, hear me; I will give thee kesef for the sadeh; accept it from me, and I will bury my dead there.

14 And Ephron answered Avraham, saying unto him,

15 Pay heed, adoni, unto me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of kesef; what is that between me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.