Devine Scripture

Genesis 23:8

What does Genesis 23:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 23:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 23:8 means

Instead of accepting the free burial plot, Abraham clarifies his desire for a specific location: the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to Ephron. His willingness to negotiate and pay full price for this particular place demonstrates his faith in God's promise of the land, even for a burial site. He seeks the Hittites' help to entreat Ephron, showing his respectful approach to local customs and property rights. This commitment to ownership underscores the significance of this first land acquisition.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, If you will let me put my dead to rest here, make a request for me to Ephron, the son of Zohar,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he speaketh with them, saying, `If it is your desire to bury my dead from before me, hear me, and meet for me with Ephron, son of Zoar;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And said to them: If it please your soul that I should bury my dead, hear me, and intercede for me to Ephron the son of Seor.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and spoke to them, saying, If it be your will that I should bury my dead from before me, hear me, and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar,

Context

After graciously acknowledging the Hittites' generosity in verse 7, Abraham, in this verse, articulates his specific desire for Ephron's cave of Machpelah. This marks a crucial turning point, moving from a general offer to a targeted request for a specific plot that will become Abraham's first owned property in the Promised Land. This request clearly defines the object of the transaction.

v.7And Abraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.

v.8This passage

v.9that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for the full price let him give it to me in the midst of you for a possession of a burying-place.

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;

  • Luke 7:3

    And when he heard concerning Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews, asking him that he would come and save his servant.

  • Hebrews 7:26

    For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

  • 1 Kings 2:17

    And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king (for he will not say thee nay), that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife.

  • 1 John 2:1

    My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

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