Genesis 23:14

KJV

And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Ephron {H6085} answered {H6030} Abraham {H85}, saying {H559} unto him,

Complete Jewish Bible

But 'Efron answered Avraham

Berean Standard Bible

Ephron answered Abraham,

American Standard Version

And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 23:14 serves as a concise yet crucial transitional statement, formally introducing Ephron the Hittite's verbal response to Abraham's request for a burial plot. This brief verse punctuates the polite but firm negotiation, setting the immediate narrative stage for Ephron's detailed offer regarding the sale of the cave of Machpelah, a transaction that would mark Abraham's first tangible land acquisition in the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 23:14 is nestled within a chapter dedicated entirely to the death and burial of Sarah, Abraham's beloved wife. The preceding verses establish the profound grief of Abraham and his immediate need for a proper burial site in the land where he is a sojourner. Abraham has just approached the local inhabitants, the Hittites, requesting to purchase a "possession of a buryingplace" from them (Genesis 23:4). This verse, "And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him," acts as a direct response to Abraham's overture, signaling the commencement of the formal negotiation. It directly precedes Ephron's detailed offer to Abraham concerning the cave of Machpelah and the field in which it is located, as recorded in [Genesis 23:15-16](/genesis/23-15-16 "Genesis 23:15-16 - Ephron's Offer and Abraham's Acceptance"). The entire chapter underscores the importance of legitimate land acquisition for the patriarchs, even for a burial site, as a tangible step toward the fulfillment of God's land promise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, land transactions were highly formalized and often conducted publicly, frequently at the city gate, involving witnesses. The polite yet firm negotiation between Abraham and the Hittites, specifically Ephron, reflects these customs. Abraham, as a "sojourner and a foreigner" (Genesis 23:4), was legally dependent on the goodwill and established customs of the local inhabitants. The Hittites, a prominent people group in Canaan, would have had their own laws and social protocols regarding property. The exchange of "silver, current money with the merchant" (Genesis 23:16) was a common method of payment, indicating a legitimate and binding contract. The purchase of a burial site was particularly significant, as it established a permanent claim and connection to the land, even for those who did not yet possess it fully. This initial land acquisition, though small, was a crucial step in establishing Abraham's family's presence in Canaan.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, though brief, contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **God's Promise and its Gradual Fulfillment**. While God had promised Abraham the entire land of Canaan (e.g., [Genesis 13:15](/genesis/13-15 "Genesis 13:15 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")), Abraham's first actual possession is a burial plot, underscoring the patient and often incremental nature of divine promises. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Abraham's Faith and Prudence**. Despite being a man of faith who trusts in God's grand promises, Abraham acts with practical wisdom and cultural sensitivity, engaging in legitimate negotiation to secure a necessary family possession. His respectful approach to the Hittites (Genesis 23:3-4) demonstrates a model of **Intercultural Diplomacy**. Finally, the transaction sets the stage for the **Patriarchal Burial Ground**, establishing the cave of Machpelah as a sacred site for Abraham and his descendants, a physical anchor in the promised land that would later hold Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob, as seen in [Genesis 49:29-32](/genesis/49-29-32 "Genesis 49:29-32 - Jacob's Burial Instructions").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** This primitive root primarily means "to eye" or "to heed," implying attention and, by extension, "to respond." In this context, it signifies Ephron's direct acknowledgment and reply to Abraham's request. It's not merely speaking, but speaking *in response* to a prior statement, indicating that the dialogue is now formally engaged. The word carries a sense of giving account or bearing witness, which is fitting for a public negotiation.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This is a very common Hebrew root meaning "to say" or "to speak," used with great latitude. When paired with "answered" (as in "answered, saying"), it forms a common Hebrew idiom (pleonasm) that simply introduces direct speech. While "answered" indicates the responsive nature, "saying" signals that the exact words of the speaker are about to follow, emphasizing the verbal communication itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Ephron answered Abraham,"**: This clause immediately identifies the speaker, Ephron, and the recipient of his words, Abraham. It establishes the direct communication channel that Abraham had initiated. The use of "answered" (H6030) highlights that Ephron is not just speaking, but providing a direct, formal reply to Abraham's specific request for a burial site. This sets the tone for a structured and purposeful dialogue, moving the negotiation forward from Abraham's initial plea.
* **"saying unto him,"**: This phrase, utilizing the Hebrew verb "saying" (H559), is a common pleonastic construction in biblical Hebrew. Its primary function is to introduce the direct discourse that immediately follows in the subsequent verses. While seemingly redundant with "answered," it serves to formally mark the beginning of Ephron's spoken words, drawing the reader's attention to the impending content of his speech. It signals that the narrative is shifting from descriptive action to direct quotation, emphasizing the precise words exchanged in this critical transaction.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 23:14 is **Pleonasm** (or **Redundancy**). The construction "answered... saying" is a common Hebrew idiom, where two verbs with similar meanings are used together to emphasize an action. While it might seem redundant in English, in Hebrew narrative, it serves to introduce direct speech formally and emphatically. It highlights that Ephron is indeed responding verbally to Abraham. Another device is the use of **Direct Discourse**, as this verse acts as the immediate lead-in to Ephron's quoted speech in the following verses. It creates a sense of immediacy and allows the reader to "hear" the exact words of the characters, lending authenticity and drama to the negotiation. The verse also functions as a **Transitional Phrase**, smoothly moving the narrative from Abraham's request to Ephron's reply, maintaining the flow of the dialogue and advancing the plot toward the land acquisition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 23:14, though a brief transitional verse, is deeply significant in the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham. It marks the pivotal moment where the divine promise of land begins to take tangible, albeit incremental, form. Abraham, the recipient of a vast, sweeping promise of an entire land, must nonetheless engage in a humble, culturally appropriate negotiation to secure even a small piece of it—a burial plot for his beloved Sarah. This highlights the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, where God's promises are fulfilled through human agency and adherence to earthly customs. It underscores that even in the face of death and grief, the patriarch's faith is active, seeking to establish a lasting presence in the land promised to his descendants, thus securing a physical anchor for the future generations of the covenant people.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abram")
* [Acts 7:5](/acts/7-5 "Acts 7:5 - Stephen on Abraham's Land Possession")
* [Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8-10 "Hebrews 11:8-10 - Abraham's Faith as a Sojourner")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly simple verse offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that even when God has given grand, overarching promises, their fulfillment often involves practical, sometimes mundane, and culturally sensitive actions on our part. Abraham, a man of immense faith, did not passively wait for the land to be handed to him; he actively engaged in respectful negotiation, demonstrating diligence and integrity in his dealings with others. This teaches us the importance of responsible stewardship and honorable conduct in all our earthly affairs, even when pursuing God's purposes. Furthermore, the act of securing a burial place speaks to the human need for dignity and closure in death, and the importance of honoring our loved ones. For us, it underscores that while our ultimate hope is in an eternal dwelling with Christ, we are called to live faithfully and responsibly in the present, engaging with the world around us with wisdom, respect, and integrity, just as Abraham did in securing a resting place for Sarah.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Abraham's respectful engagement with Ephron challenge my own approach to "outsiders" or those with different beliefs?**
* **In what areas of my life am I waiting for God to act, when I should be taking responsible, practical steps, much like Abraham did in securing the burial plot?**
* **What does Abraham's concern for a proper burial place for Sarah reveal about the value of human life and dignity, even in death?**

### FAQ
**Why is Ephron's response so brief in this verse?**

Answer: Genesis 23:14 serves as a simple introductory clause, signaling Ephron's turn to speak. The full content of his answer, which includes his generous (though ultimately priced) offer to Abraham, is detailed in the subsequent verses, [Genesis 23:15-16](/genesis/23-15-16 "Genesis 23:15-16 - Ephron's Full Offer and Abraham's Acceptance"). This common literary device in Hebrew narrative, known as a "pleonastic construction" (e.g., "answered, saying"), builds anticipation for the direct speech that follows and emphasizes the act of speaking in response.

**Does this transaction imply Abraham lacked faith in God's promise of land?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. While Abraham had been promised the entire land of Canaan as an inheritance (e.g., [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - The Covenant of Land with Abraham")), he understood that the fulfillment of this promise would unfold over time and in God's timing. His act of purchasing a burial plot for Sarah demonstrates his *active faith* in the promise by establishing a physical, permanent foothold in the land, even if it was only a small piece. It signifies his commitment to the land as the future inheritance for his descendants, laying claim to God's word in a tangible way, beginning with a secure resting place for his family. It shows he was living out the promise, even as a "foreigner and sojourner" ([Hebrews 11:9](/hebrews/11-9 "Hebrews 11:9 - Abraham Dwelling in Tents by Faith")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The humble purchase of the cave of Machpelah by Abraham, driven by the need for a burial place for Sarah, profoundly foreshadows Christ's ultimate provision of eternal rest and an imperishable inheritance for all believers. Just as Abraham, a sojourner in the promised land, secured a small, tangible piece of ground as a down payment on God's sweeping promise, so Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, secured for us an eternal inheritance that is far greater than any earthly possession (as described in [1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). The "land" promised to Abraham finds its spiritual and ultimate culmination in the "new heavens and new earth" (revealed in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")), where Christ Himself is the true dwelling place and the source of our eternal rest and security. He is the ultimate "possession of a buryingplace" who conquered death, ensuring that those who are in Him have a secure and everlasting home, fulfilling the deep longing for a permanent dwelling that began with Abraham's initial, faith-filled acquisition.

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.