Devine Scripture

Genesis 23:17

What does Genesis 23:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 23:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 23:17 means

Through the payment, the field of Ephron in Machpelah, including the cave and all its trees, was officially transferred to Abraham as a permanent possession. The specific details, such as its location before Mamre and all its borders, served to precisely define the acquired property. This meticulous description highlights the legal formality of the transaction, ensuring Abraham's undisputed ownership of this first piece of the Promised Land.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So 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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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 borders round about, were made sure

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So 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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So Ephron's field at Machpelah near Mamre, with the hollow in the rock and all the trees in the field and round it,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And established are the field of Ephron, which <FI>is<Fi> in Machpelah, which <FI>is<Fi> before Mamre, the field and the cave which <FI>is<Fi> in it, and all the trees which <FI>are<Fi> in the field, which <FI>are<Fi> in all its border round about,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the field that before was Ephron's, wherein was the double cave, looking towards Mambre, both it and the cave, and all the trees thereof, in all its limits round about,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

So the field of Ephron, which was at Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave that was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all its borders round about,

Context

This verse meticulously details the exact property acquired by Abraham, affirming the boundaries and features of the field and cave. Coming directly after the payment in verse 16, it serves as the official legal record of the purchase, ensuring no future disputes. This detailed description confirms the secure possession established in the presence of the witnesses, preparing for the actual burial.

v.16And 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.

v.17This passage

v.18unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 25:9

    And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;

  • Psalms 112:5

    Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment.

  • Ephesians 5:15

    Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

  • Ruth 4:7

    Now this wasthe customin former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

  • Matthew 10:16

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

  • Genesis 23:20

    And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place by the children of Heth.

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