Genesis 23:15
What does Genesis 23:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 23:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 23:15 means
Ephron names a price of "four hundred shekels of silver" for the land. While appearing conversational by asking, "what is that betwixt me and thee?" he clearly states the substantial sum. This amount, considered a significant sum in that era, represents a full and fair market value. By naming a price rather than accepting a gift, Abraham secures unencumbered ownership of the land and the cave, establishing his first true possession in the Promised Land.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000My lord, hearken unto me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
KJV
King James Version · 1611My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901My lord, hearken unto me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My lord, give ear to me: the value of the land is four hundred shekels; what is that between me and you? so put your dead to rest there.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`My lord, hear me: the land--four hundred shekels of silver; between me and thee, what <FI>is<Fi> it? --thy dead bury.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752My lord, hear me. The ground which thou desirest, is worth four hundred sicles of silver: this is the price between me and thee: but what is this? bury thy dead.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890My lord, hearken to me. A field of four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
Context
In this pivotal verse, Ephron finally names the specific price for the field and cave, directly responding to Abraham's repeated insistence on purchasing it. The stated sum of "four hundred shekels of silver" is a crucial detail, as it immediately precedes the transaction itself. This verse solidifies the financial terms that complete the negotiation begun in previous verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 30:13
This they shall give, every one that passeth over unto them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary; (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel for an offering to Jehovah.
- Exodus 30:15
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of Jehovah, to make atonement for your souls.
- Ezekiel 45:12
And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs; twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.
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