Devine Scripture

Genesis 23:16

What does Genesis 23:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 23:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 23:16 means

Abraham immediately agrees to Ephron's price and weighs out the "four hundred shekels of silver," using "current money with the merchant," ensuring the payment is of accepted standard and value. This prompt and public transaction, witnessed by the children of Heth, signifies Abraham's integrity and his commitment to the deal. This act of payment officially secures the cave and field as his legal possession, a tangible step in the fulfillment of God's land promises.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the audience of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the audience of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Abraham took note of the price fixed by Ephron in the hearing of the children of Heth, and gave him four hundred shekels in current money.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abraham hearkeneth unto Ephron, and Abraham weigheth to Ephron the silver which he hath spoken of in the ears of the sons of Heth, four hundred silver shekels, passing with the merchant.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when Abraham had heard this, he weighed out the money that Ephron had asked, in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred sicles of silver, of common current money.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abraham hearkened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the money that he had named in the ears of the sons of Heth — four hundred shekels of silver, current with the merchant.

Context

Following Ephron's declaration of the price in verse 15, this verse records Abraham's immediate acceptance and payment. The act of weighing out the silver is the crucial moment of the transaction, providing the concrete action that legally transfers ownership. This verse directly leads into the official confirmation of the transfer of property in the subsequent verses.

v.15My 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.

v.16This passage

v.17So 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 border thereof round about, were made sure

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 13:8

    Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.

  • Philippians 4:8

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:6

    that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.

  • Jeremiah 32:9

    And I bought the field that was in Anathoth of Hanamel mine uncle’s son, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.

  • 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.

  • Ezra 8:25

    and weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering for the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his princes, and all Israel there present, had offered:

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