King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Hear 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Listen to us, my lord. You are a prince of God among us, so choose any of our tombs to bury your dead - not one of us would refuse you his tomb for burying your dead."
Berean Standard Bible:
“Listen to us, sir. You are God’s chosen one among us. Bury your dead in the finest of our tombs. None of us will withhold his tomb for burying your dead.”
American Standard Version:
Hear 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 with Strong’s Numbers:
Hear us{H8085}, my lord{H113}: thou art a mighty{H430} prince{H5387} among us{H8432}: in the choice{H4005} of our sepulchres{H6913} bury{H6912} thy dead{H4191}; none{H3808}{H376} of us shall withhold{H3607} from thee his sepulchre{H6913}, but that thou mayest bury{H6912} thy dead{H4191}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 24:35
- And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
Genesis 14:14
- And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan.
Genesis 21:22
- ¶ And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God [is] with thee in all that thou doest:
Genesis 32:18
- Then thou shalt say, [They be] thy servant Jacob's; it [is] a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he [is] behind us.
Genesis 13:2
- And Abram [was] very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Genesis 44:5
- [Is] not this [it] in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
Genesis 24:18
- And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 23:6
Genesis 23:6 is a verse that captures a significant moment in the narrative of the Patriarch Abraham. This verse is part of the account where Abraham seeks to purchase a burial place for his wife Sarah, who has just died. The historical context is the early second millennium BCE, a time when the land of Canaan was inhabited by various peoples, and Abraham was a resident alien, living among the Hittites in Hebron.
In this verse, the Hittites, recognizing Abraham's standing and influence, address him with respect, calling him "a mighty prince among us." They acknowledge his right to bury his dead, emphasizing that none of them would deny him the use of their own tombs. This offer reflects the ancient Near Eastern customs of hospitality and respect for leaders and dignitaries, as well as the sanctity of burial practices.
The themes present in this verse include the recognition of Abraham's status as a man of significance in the community, the cultural norms of hospitality and burial rights, and the beginnings of the Israelites' association with the land of Canaan. It also highlights the importance of family burial sites as a place of remembrance and connection to the land, a concept that held deep meaning in the ancient world. This event marks the first acquisition of land in Canaan by Abraham, which is a significant step in the fulfillment of God's promise to him and his descendants that they would inherit the land. Thus, Genesis 23:6 is not only about a burial transaction but also about the establishment of a tangible connection between Abraham's family and the land that would later become central to the identity of the Israelite nation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H113
There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדוֹן
Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
Pronunciation: aw-done'
Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H5387
There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשִׂיא
Transliteration: nâsîyʼ
Pronunciation: naw-see'
Description: or נָשִׂא; from נָשָׂא; properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist; captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. - Strong's Number: H8432
There are 390 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּוֶךְ
Transliteration: tâvek
Pronunciation: taw'-vek
Description: from an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre; among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). - Strong's Number: H4005
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִבְחָר
Transliteration: mibchâr
Pronunciation: mib-khawr'
Description: from בָּחַר; select, i.e. best; choice(-st), chosen. - Strong's Number: H6913
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶבֶר
Transliteration: qeber
Pronunciation: keh'-ber
Description: or (feminine) קִבְרָה; from קָבַר; a sepulchre; burying place, grave, sepulchre. - Strong's Number: H6912
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָבַר
Transliteration: qâbar
Pronunciation: kaw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; to inter; [idiom] in any wise, bury(-ier). - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H3808
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֹא
Transliteration: lôʼ
Pronunciation: lo
Description: or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H3607
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּלָא
Transliteration: kâlâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit); finish, forbid, keep (back), refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed, withhold.