Genesis 23:13

13 and he spake to Ephron, while his people stood about, (and said,) I beseech, that thou hear me; I shall give money (to thee) for the field, receive thou it, and so I shall bury my dead body in the field (and then I shall bury my dead wife's body there in the field).

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 My lord, it shall not be done so, but more harken thou (to) that that I say; I give to thee the field, and the cave which is therein, while the sons of my people be present; bury thou thy dead body. (My lord, it shall not be done so, but more harken thou to what I say; I give thee the field, and the cave which is in it, while the sons of my people be present; bury thou thy wife's dead body there.)

12 Abraham worshipped before the Lord, and before the people of the land, (And Abraham bowed low before the people of the land,)

13 and he spake to Ephron, while his people stood about, (and said,) I beseech, that thou hear me; I shall give money (to thee) for the field, receive thou it, and so I shall bury my dead body in the field (and then I shall bury my dead wife's body there in the field).

14 And Ephron answered

15 My lord, hear thou me; the land which thou askest (for) is worth four hundred shekels of silver, that is the price betwixt me and thee; but (now) how much is this? bury thou thy dead body (so bury thou thy dead wife's body there).