King James Version

What Does Genesis 23:8 Mean?

Genesis 23:8 in the King James Version says “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 f...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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,”

Genesis 23:8 · KJV

Context

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,

9

That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you. as much: Heb. full money

10

And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying, audience: Heb. ears

Read Genesis 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; he... 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 · 17 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר1 of 17

“And he communed”

H1696

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

אִתָּ֖ם2 of 17
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

לֵאמֹ֑ר3 of 17

“with them saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם4 of 17
H518

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

יֵ֣שׁ5 of 17

“If it be”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

אֶֽת6 of 17
H853

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

נַפְשְׁכֶ֗ם7 of 17

“your mind”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לִקְבֹּ֤ר8 of 17

“that I should bury”

H6912

to inter

אֶת9 of 17
H853

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

מֵתִי֙10 of 17

“my dead”

H4191

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

מִלְּפָנַ֔י11 of 17

“out of my sight”

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

שְׁמָע֕וּנִי12 of 17

“hear”

H8085

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

וּפִגְעוּ13 of 17

“me and intreat”

H6293

to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity

לִ֖י14 of 17
H0
בְּעֶפְר֥וֹן15 of 17

“for me to Ephron”

H6085

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

בֶּן16 of 17

“the son”

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

צֹֽחַר׃17 of 17

“of Zohar”

H6714

tsochar, the name of a hittite and of an israelite

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 23:8 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 23:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 2:1-21 Kings 2:17Hebrews 7:26Luke 7:3-4Genesis 25:9

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 23 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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