King James Version

What Does Genesis 23:6 Mean?

Genesis 23:6 in the King James Version says “Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall wit... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. a mighty: Heb. a prince of God

Genesis 23:6 · KJV


Context

4

I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

5

And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,

6

Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. a mighty: Heb. a prince of God

7

And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.

8

And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; ... 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. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
שְׁמָעֵ֣נוּ׀1 of 20

Hear us

H8085

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

אֲדֹנִ֗י2 of 20

my lord

H113

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

נְשִׂ֨יא3 of 20

prince

H5387

properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist

אֱלֹהִ֤ים4 of 20

thou art a mighty

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אַתָּה֙5 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בְּתוֹכֵ֔נוּ6 of 20

among us

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בְּמִבְחַ֣ר7 of 20

in the choice

H4005

select, i.e., best

קִבְר֛וֹ8 of 20

from thee his sepulchre

H6913

a sepulcher

מִקְּבֹ֥ר9 of 20

bury

H6912

to inter

אֶת10 of 20
H853

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

מֵתֶֽךָ׃11 of 20

thy dead

H4191

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

אִ֣ישׁ12 of 20
H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ13 of 20
H4480

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

אֶת14 of 20
H853

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

קִבְר֛וֹ15 of 20

from thee his sepulchre

H6913

a sepulcher

לֹֽא16 of 20

none

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִכְלֶ֥ה17 of 20

of us shall withhold

H3607

to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)

מִמְּךָ֖18 of 20
H4480

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

מִקְּבֹ֥ר19 of 20

bury

H6912

to inter

מֵתֶֽךָ׃20 of 20

thy dead

H4191

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


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 23:6 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 23:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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