King James Version

What Does Genesis 23:13 Mean?

Genesis 23:13 in the King James Version says “And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.”

Genesis 23:13 · KJV

Prayer

Context

11

Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.

12

And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.

13

And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.

14

And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,

15

My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

Read Genesis 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר1 of 21

“And he spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֶפְר֜וֹן3 of 21

“unto Ephron”

H6085

ephron, the name of a canaanite and of two places in palestine

בְּאָזְנֵ֤י4 of 21

“in the audience”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

עַם5 of 21

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙6 of 21

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֵאמֹ֔ר7 of 21

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַ֛ךְ8 of 21
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

אִם9 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אַתָּ֥ה10 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

ל֖וּ11 of 21

“But if thou wilt give it I pray thee”

H3863

a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!

שְׁמָעֵ֑נִי12 of 21

“hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

נָתַ֜תִּי13 of 21

“me I will give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

כֶּ֤סֶף14 of 21

“thee money”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

הַשָּׂדֶה֙15 of 21

“for the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

קַ֣ח16 of 21

“take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִמֶּ֔נִּי17 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְאֶקְבְּרָ֥ה18 of 21

“it of me and I will bury”

H6912

to inter

אֶת19 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵתִ֖י20 of 21

“my dead”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

שָֽׁמָּה׃21 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 23:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 23:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 13:8Acts 20:35Genesis 14:22-232 Samuel 24:24Philippians 4:5-8Hebrews 13:5

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