Genesis 23:6
What does Genesis 23:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 23:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 23:6 means
The Hittites honor Abraham, acknowledging him as a "prince of God" among them, even though he considered himself a stranger. They generously offer him their best burial places free of charge. This recognition of Abraham's standing, despite his lack of land, shows their respect for him and his God. Their offer, while gracious, is a key moment that Abraham will politely decline, revealing his desire for legitimate ownership rather than charity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Hear 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hear 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hear 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My lord, truly you are a great chief among us; take the best of our resting-places for your dead; not one of us will keep back from you a place where you may put your dead to rest.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Hear us, my lord; a prince of God <FI>art<Fi> thou in our midst; in the choice of our burying-places bury thy dead: none of us his burying-place doth withhold from thee, from burying thy dead.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752My lord, hear us, thou art a prince of God among us: bury thy dead in our principal sepulchres: and no man shall have power to hinder thee from burying thy dead in his sepulchre.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hear us, my lord: thou art a prince ofGod among us: in the choicest of our sepulchres bury thy dead: none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre for burying thy dead.
Context
In response to Abraham's humble request in verse 4, this verse presents the generous offer from the children of Heth. Their offer of any of their sepulchres without cost is a pivotal point, as it immediately sets up Abraham's subsequent actions to decline this gift and insist on a purchase. This generosity prompts Abraham to reveal his deeper intention of acquiring a permanent, owned burial plot.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 14:14
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.
- Exodus 32:22
And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on evil.
- Isaiah 45:14
Thus saith Jehovah, The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall go after thee, in chains they shall come over; and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
- Genesis 21:22
And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
- Genesis 31:35
And she said to her father, Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise up before thee; for the manner of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the teraphim.
- Genesis 24:18
And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
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