Genesis 23:11
What does Genesis 23:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 23:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 23:11 means
Ephron responds to Abraham with an offer to *give* him both the field and the cave, publicly stating his generosity before his people. This gesture mirrors the earlier offer from the children of Heth, reflecting a cultural custom of initial magnanimity in negotiations. However, this is also a strategic move, as the
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the children of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the children of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949No, my lord, I will give you the field with the hollow in the rock; before all the children of my people will I give it to you for a resting-place for your dead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Nay, my lord, hear me: the field I have given to thee, and the cave that <FI>is<Fi> in it, to thee I have given it; before the eyes of the sons of my people I have given it to thee--bury thy dead.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let it not be so, my lord, but do thou rather hearken to what I say: The field I deliver to thee, and the cave that is therein; in the presence of the children of my people, bury thy dead.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890No, my lord: hear me. The field give I thee; and the cave that is in it, to thee I give it; before the eyes of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
Context
Following Abraham's specific request to purchase the cave in verse 9, Ephron's response in this verse presents a generous, but not fully explicit, offer. Ephron's public declaration to *give* the field and cave sets up Abraham's subsequent insistence on purchasing it, highlighting the cultural negotiation dance. This moment drives the narrative toward the actual financial agreement.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ruth 4:9
And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.
- Genesis 23:6
Hear us, my lord; thou art a prince of God 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.
- Ruth 4:4
and I thought to disclose it unto thee, saying, Buy it before them that sit here, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it besides thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
- Jeremiah 32:7
Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth; for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
- Genesis 23:18
unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
- Deuteronomy 17:6
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
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