King James Version

What Does Genesis 23:17 Mean?

Genesis 23:17 in the King James Version says “And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 23:17 · KJV

Context

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.

19

And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.

Read Genesis 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave whi... 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 should this truth about Faith's Inheritance shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיָּ֣קָם׀1 of 20

“were made sure”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה2 of 20

“And the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

עֶפְר֗וֹן3 of 20

“of Ephron”

H6085

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

אֲשֶׁר֙4 of 20
H834

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

בַּמַּכְפֵּלָ֔ה5 of 20

“which was in Machpelah”

H4375

makpelah, a place in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֖ר6 of 20
H834

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

לִפְנֵ֣י7 of 20

“which was before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מַמְרֵ֑א8 of 20

“Mamre”

H4471

mamre, an amorite

בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה9 of 20

“And the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְהַמְּעָרָ֣ה10 of 20

“and the cave”

H4631

a cavern (as dark)

אֲשֶׁר11 of 20
H834

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

בּ֔וֹ12 of 20
H0
וְכָל13 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעֵץ֙14 of 20

“which was therein and all the trees”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 20
H834

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

בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה16 of 20

“And the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 20
H834

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

בְּכָל18 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גְּבֻל֖וֹ19 of 20

“that were in all the borders”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

סָבִֽיב׃20 of 20

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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 23:17 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 23:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 25:9Genesis 50:13Genesis 23:20Genesis 49:29-32Acts 7:16Psalms 112:5

Places in This Verse

MachpelahSettlement · Modern: Cave of the Patriarchs · 31.52°N, 35.11°E6 verses across 1 book
MamreSettlement · Modern: Ramat el Khalil · 31.56°N, 35.11°E6 verses across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 23 →

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