King James Version

What Does Genesis 23:15 Mean?

Genesis 23:15 in the King James Version says “My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury there...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 23:15 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

17

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me ... 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. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אֲדֹנִ֣י1 of 14

“My lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

שְׁמָעֵ֔נִי2 of 14

“hearken”

H8085

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

אֶרֶץ֩3 of 14

“unto me the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אַרְבַּ֨ע4 of 14

“is worth four”

H702

four

מֵאֹ֧ת5 of 14

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שֶֽׁקֶל6 of 14

“shekels”

H8255

probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

כֶּ֛סֶף7 of 14

“of silver”

H3701

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

וּבֵֽינְךָ֖8 of 14

“what is that betwixt”

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵֽינְךָ֖9 of 14

“what is that betwixt”

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

מַה10 of 14
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הִ֑וא11 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְאֶת12 of 14
H853

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

מֵֽתְךָ֖13 of 14

“therefore thy dead”

H4191

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

קְבֹֽר׃14 of 14

“me and thee bury”

H6912

to inter

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 23:15 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 23:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 45:12Exodus 30:15Exodus 30:13

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