Genesis 23:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which [is] in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.

Complete Jewish Bible:

to give me the cave of Makhpelah, which he owns, the one at the end of his field. He should sell it to me in your presence at its full value; then I will have a burial site of my own."

Berean Standard Bible:

to sell me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him; it is at the end of his field. Let him sell it to me in your presence for full price, so that I may have a burial site.”

American Standard Version:

that 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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

That he may give{H5414} me the cave{H4631} of Machpelah{H4375}, which he hath, which is in the end{H7097} of his field{H7704}; for as much{H4392} money{H3701} as it is worth{H4392} he shall give it{H5414} me for a possession{H272} of a buryingplace{H6913} amongst you{H8432}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Romans 12:17

  • Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 13:8

  • Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Genesis 23:9

**Genesis 23:9** is a verse that captures a significant moment in the narrative of the Patriarch Abraham. The historical context of this verse is the death of Abraham's wife, Sarah. The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Land Ownership and Legacy**: Abraham seeks to purchase a burial site for his family, emphasizing the importance of having a permanent and secure place for his descendants. This is one of the first instances in the Bible where land is purchased, signifying a legal transaction and establishing a physical claim in the land of Canaan, which is a central theme in the narrative of the Israelites.

2. **Hospitality and Negotiation**: Despite being a sojourner in the land, Abraham is treated with respect and hospitality by the Hittites. The negotiation process for the cave of Machpelah illustrates the customs of the time regarding property and burial rights.

3. **Mourning and Burial Customs**: The verse reflects the cultural practices surrounding death and burial. Abraham's desire to bury Sarah, and to do so in a dignified manner, shows the importance of proper burial and the care for the dead in ancient Near Eastern societies.

4. **Divine Promises**: Although not explicit in this verse, the context of Abraham's actions is rooted in the promises God made to him, including the land of Canaan for his descendants. The purchase of the cave is a step towards establishing a physical presence in the promised land.

5. **Faith and Trust in God**: Abraham's actions are underpinned by his faith in God's promises. His purchase of the cave is an act of trust that God will fulfill His promises to him and his descendants.

In summary, Genesis 23:9 is set against the backdrop of Sarah's death and Abraham's need to secure a family burial site. It highlights themes of land ownership, cultural practices of hospitality and negotiation, burial customs, and the fulfillment of divine promises, all of which are integral to the overarching narrative of the Abrahamic covenant and the establishment of God's people in the land of Canaan.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H5414
    There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָתַן
    Transliteration: nâthan
    Pronunciation: naw-than'
    Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
  2. Strong's Number: H4631
    There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מְעָרָה
    Transliteration: mᵉʻârâh
    Pronunciation: meh-aw-raw'
    Description: from עוּר; a cavern (as dark); cave, den, hole.
  3. Strong's Number: H4375
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַכְפֵּלָה
    Transliteration: Makpêlâh
    Pronunciation: mak-pay-law'
    Description: from כָּפַל; a fold; Makpelah, a place in Palestine; Machpelah.
  4. Strong's Number: H7097
    There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָצֶה
    Transliteration: qâtseh
    Pronunciation: kaw-tseh'
    Description: or (negative only) קֵצֶה; from קָצָה; (used in a great variety of applications and idioms; compare קֵץ); an extremity; [idiom] after, border, brim, brink, edge, end, (in-) finite, frontier, outmost coast, quarter, shore, (out-) side, [idiom] some, ut(-ter-) most (part).
  5. Strong's Number: H7704
    There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׂדֶה
    Transliteration: sâdeh
    Pronunciation: saw-deh'
    Description: or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat); country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild.
  6. Strong's Number: H4392
    There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָלֵא
    Transliteration: mâlêʼ
    Pronunciation: maw-lay'
    Description: from מָלֵא; full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully; [idiom] she that was with child, fill(-ed, -ed with), full(-ly), multitude, as is worth.
  7. Strong's Number: H3701
    There are 343 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כֶּסֶף
    Transliteration: keçeph
    Pronunciation: keh'-sef
    Description: from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling).
  8. Strong's Number: H272
    There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֲחֻזָּה
    Transliteration: ʼăchuzzâh
    Pronunciation: akh-ooz-zaw'
    Description: feminine passive participle from אָחַז; something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land); possession.
  9. 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.
  10. 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).