Genesis 23:10

KJV

And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, [even] of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Ephron {H6085} dwelt {H3427} among {H8432} the children {H1121} of Heth {H2845}: and Ephron {H6085} the Hittite {H2850} answered {H6030} Abraham {H85} in the audience {H241} of the children {H1121} of Heth {H2845}, even of all that went in {H935} at the gate {H8179} of his city {H5892}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

'Efron the Hitti was sitting among the sons of Het, and he gave Avraham his answer in the presence of the sons of Het who belonged to the ruling council of the city:

Berean Standard Bible

Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth. So in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city, Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham,

American Standard Version

Now Ephron was sitting in the midst of the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 23:10 meticulously describes the public setting for Abraham's negotiation with Ephron the Hittite for a burial plot for Sarah. This verse underscores Ephron's prominent standing within the Hittite community and highlights that the entire transaction transpired "in the audience of the children of Heth, [even] of all that went in at the gate of his city," thereby guaranteeing the full legality, transparency, and communal recognition of Abraham's initial land acquisition in the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately following the profound grief of Abraham over the death of his beloved wife, Sarah, as recorded in [Genesis 23:2](/genesis/23-2 "Genesis 23:2 - Sarah's Death"). Abraham's urgent need for a permanent and honorable burial place for Sarah drives the narrative of this chapter. His decision to purchase land, rather than accept a gift, emphasizes his commitment to legitimate ownership and establishing a lasting presence in the land God had promised him. The public nature of the negotiation, detailed in this verse, sets the stage for a legally binding transaction that secures Abraham's first physical foothold in Canaan, moving the covenantal promise from abstract to tangible.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the city gate served as the central hub for all public life. It was the primary venue for legal proceedings, commercial transactions, judicial rulings, and communal gatherings. Conducting a land purchase "at the gate of his city" (as mentioned in [Ruth 4:1](/ruth/4-1 "Ruth 4:1 - Boaz at the City Gate")) was essential for ensuring the validity and public record of the agreement. The presence of "all that went in at the gate" meant that the transaction was witnessed by the community's elders and prominent citizens, making it legally incontestable. The Hittites were a significant people group in Canaan, and Abraham's respectful engagement with their customs demonstrates his wisdom and integrity as a sojourner.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 23:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **God's faithfulness** in fulfilling His promise of land to Abraham, even through a seemingly mundane and sorrowful event like a burial. It also underscores Abraham's **integrity and ethical conduct** as he meticulously adheres to local legal customs, demonstrating a blameless witness despite his divine calling. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes Abraham's identity as a **sojourner** who, while promised the entire land, must still navigate and respect the existing inhabitants and their laws to secure a small, yet significant, piece of it. This initial acquisition of the [Cave of Machpelah](/genesis/23-19 "Genesis 23:19 - Burial of Sarah in the Cave of Machpelah") becomes a tangible anchor for the covenant in the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 23:10 meticulously sets the scene for Abraham's acquisition of the Cave of Machpelah, emphasizing the public and legally binding nature of the transaction. Ephron is presented as an influential figure within the Hittite community, residing "among the children of Heth." The crucial detail is that Ephron "answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, [even] of all that went in at the gate of his city." This public forum was vital in ancient Near Eastern societies for all legal and commercial matters, ensuring the transaction's absolute legality and public recognition. Abraham's adherence to these customs demonstrates his profound respect for the local laws and his commitment to securing a legitimate claim.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dwelt (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** This word, derived from a primitive root meaning "to sit down," implies a settled residence or permanent habitation. Its use here indicates Ephron's established presence and authority "among the children of Heth," signifying his rootedness and influence within the community, which lends weight to his participation in the public negotiation.
* **audience (Hebrew, _ʼôzen'_):** Literally meaning "ear," this term refers to the act of hearing or listening. In this context, "in the audience" signifies that the conversation and subsequent agreement were conducted openly and publicly, with the full attention and witness of the gathered community, ensuring transparency and accountability.
* **gate (Hebrew, _shaʻar'_):** This term denotes an opening, specifically a door or gate, often referring to the entrance of a city. As the primary locus for legal, judicial, and commercial activities in ancient cities, the "gate of his city" served as the official public forum where such transactions were formalized and witnessed by the community's elders and citizens.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth:"** This clause establishes Ephron's social and geographical context, identifying him as an integral and settled member of the Hittite community. It highlights his local authority and the communal setting in which the negotiation is about to take place.
* **"and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham"** This signifies Ephron's formal response to Abraham's request, underscoring that the interaction is a structured dialogue, not a casual conversation. His identification as "the Hittite" reinforces his ethnic and cultural affiliation, emphasizing the distinct legal and social framework Abraham is operating within.
* **"in the audience of the children of Heth, [even] of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,"** This critical phrase details the public nature of the proceedings. The transaction occurred before a full assembly of the local community—"the children of Heth" and "all that went in at the gate of his city"—thereby ensuring that the agreement was witnessed, legally binding, and publicly acknowledged, crucial for property rights in the ancient world. The final "saying" introduces Ephron's subsequent offer.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Setting** as a crucial literary device. The explicit mention of the negotiation occurring "at the gate of his city" is not merely a geographical detail but a symbolic representation of legal authority, public accountability, and communal witness in the ancient Near East. This setting immediately conveys the gravity and legitimacy of the impending transaction. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "children of Heth" (H1121, H2845) underscores the specific ethnic and cultural context of the interaction, highlighting that Abraham, a sojourner, is engaging with the established inhabitants of the land according to their customs. This meticulous detail also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as this first legitimate land acquisition, though small, represents the tangible beginning of God's promise of the entire land to Abraham and his descendants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 23:10, while seemingly a straightforward account of a land transaction, is deeply woven into the theological fabric of God's covenant with Abraham. It demonstrates that God's grand promises, particularly the promise of land, begin to unfold not through miraculous conquest but through diligent, ethical, and culturally respectful human agency. Abraham, despite being the recipient of a divine promise, meticulously adheres to the legal customs of the Hittites, ensuring the legitimacy and transparency of his acquisition. This act of integrity, even in a moment of personal grief, underscores the divine expectation for His people to live blamelessly and honorably among others. The purchase of a burial plot, a place of rest for the deceased, paradoxically becomes the first tangible piece of the promised inheritance, a testament to God's faithfulness to His word and the patient unfolding of His sovereign plan.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Promise of Land to Abraham")
* [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Requirement for Multiple Witnesses")
* [Hebrews 11:9-10](/hebrews/11-9-10 "Abraham as a Sojourner Seeking a Heavenly City")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 23:10 offers profound lessons on conducting our affairs with integrity and transparency, especially in significant dealings. Abraham, even in his deep grief, ensures that his actions are above reproach and legally sound, setting a timeless example for ethical conduct in all transactions. This passage reminds us that God's grand plans often unfold through ordinary, and sometimes sorrowful, events. The purchase of a burial ground, born out of loss, paradoxically became the first physical anchor for Abraham's family in the land that would one day belong to his countless descendants, a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and the importance of patiently trusting His process. For believers today, this narrative encourages us to live with integrity in our dealings, recognizing that our actions are a public witness to our faith, and to trust that even in our moments of sorrow or mundane tasks, God is faithfully working to fulfill His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Abraham's meticulous adherence to local customs, despite his divine promise, inform our approach to ethical conduct in business or personal dealings today?**
* **In what ways might seemingly ordinary or even sorrowful events in our lives be part of God's larger, unfolding plan?**
* **How can we ensure that our actions, like Abraham's at the city gate, are transparent and bring honor to God in the "audience" of our communities?**

### FAQ
**Why was the negotiation conducted at the city gate?**

Answer: The city gate served as the primary public forum for legal, commercial, and judicial proceedings in ancient Near Eastern societies. Conducting the transaction there, as seen in other biblical accounts like [Ruth 4:1-12](/ruth/4-1-12 "Ruth 4:1-12 - Boaz's Transaction at the Gate"), ensured it was witnessed by the community's elders and prominent citizens, publicly recorded, and legally binding. This was crucial for securing property rights and avoiding future disputes, especially for Abraham, a sojourner seeking legitimate ownership.

**What does "children of Heth" signify?**

Answer: "Children of Heth" refers to the Hittites, who were descendants of Heth, a son of Canaan. Their presence in the land highlights the local inhabitants and customs Abraham had to navigate as a sojourner. This detail emphasizes the foreign context of his dealings and the need for respectful engagement with the existing cultural and legal frameworks of the land where he was a temporary resident.

**Why was this land purchase so significant for Abraham?**

Answer: This purchase marked Abraham's first physical acquisition of land in Canaan, the very land God had repeatedly promised to him and his descendants (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land")). Though initially a burial plot for Sarah, it became a foundational, tangible anchor for his family in the Promised Land, representing a crucial, concrete step towards the fulfillment of God's covenant and a down payment on the future inheritance of his numerous offspring.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abraham's diligent and costly purchase of a burial plot, a place of rest and a tangible piece of the promised land, profoundly foreshadows Christ's ultimate provision of a permanent inheritance. Abraham, a sojourner seeking a physical resting place in a land not yet fully his, points to Christ, who, through His own death and resurrection, secured a spiritual and eternal inheritance for all who believe. While Abraham secured a temporary earthly resting place for his family, Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, provides ultimate rest and an eternal dwelling place for His people, a "heavenly Canaan" that far surpasses any earthly acquisition. Just as Abraham's purchase was a down payment on a future inheritance, so the Holy Spirit is the [guarantee of our inheritance](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - The Spirit as a Guarantee") in Christ. Through Him, we are granted access to the Father and a place in His eternal kingdom, fulfilling the deepest longings for a permanent home that Abraham's act only partially anticipated, as Jesus Himself promised to [prepare a place for us](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 34:20

And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

Genesis 34:24

And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city.

Genesis 23:18

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

Isaiah 28:6

And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

Ruth 4:1

¶ Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

Ruth 4:4

And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy [it] before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem [it], redeem [it]: but if thou wilt not redeem [it, then] tell me, that I may know: for [there is] none to redeem [it] beside thee; and I [am] after thee. And he said, I will redeem [it].

Luke 2:3

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.