Genesis 23:13

13 And he spoke to Ephron, in the presence of the people: I beseech thee to hear me: I will give money for the field; take it, and so will I bury my dead in it.

Genesis 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.

Genesis 23:13 In-Context

11 Let it not be so, my lord, but do thou rather hearken to what I say: The field I deliver to thee, and the cave that is therein; in the presence of the children of my people, bury thy dead.

12 Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.

13 And he spoke to Ephron, in the presence of the people: I beseech thee to hear me: I will give money for the field; take it, and so will I bury my dead in it.

14 And Ephron answered

15 My lord, hear me. The ground which thou desirest, is worth four hundred sicles of silver: this is the price between me and thee: but what is this? bury thy dead.