King James Version

What Does Genesis 23:16 Mean?

Genesis 23:16 in the King James Version says “And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the s... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Genesis 23:16 · KJV


Context

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

18

Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in t... 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. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע1 of 20

hearkened

H8085

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

אַבְרָהָם֙2 of 20

And Abraham

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אֶל3 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְעֶפְרֹ֔ן4 of 20

to Ephron

H6085

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

וַיִּשְׁקֹ֤ל5 of 20

weighed

H8254

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)

אַבְרָהָם֙6 of 20

And Abraham

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לְעֶפְרֹ֔ן7 of 20

to Ephron

H6085

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

אֶת8 of 20
H853

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

כֶּ֔סֶף9 of 20

of silver

H3701

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֖ר11 of 20

which he had named

H1696

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

בְּאָזְנֵ֣י12 of 20

in the audience

H241

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

בְנֵי13 of 20

of the sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֵ֑ת14 of 20

of Heth

H2845

cheth, an indigenous canaanite

אַרְבַּ֤ע15 of 20

four

H702

four

מֵאוֹת֙16 of 20

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שֶׁ֣קֶל17 of 20

shekels

H8255

probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

כֶּ֔סֶף18 of 20

of silver

H3701

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

עֹבֵ֖ר19 of 20

current

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

לַסֹּחֵֽר׃20 of 20

money with the merchant

H5503

to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate


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 23:16 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 23:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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