Genesis 23:17

And the field of Ephron, which [was] in Machpelah, which [was] before Mamre, the field, and the cave which [was] therein, and all the trees that [were] in the field, that [were] in all the borders round about, were made sure

And the field {H7704} of Ephron {H6085}, which was in Machpelah {H4375}, which was before {H6440} Mamre {H4471}, the field {H7704}, and the cave {H4631} which was therein, and all the trees {H6086} that were in the field {H7704}, that were in all the borders {H1366} round about {H5439}, were made sure {H6965}

Thus the field of 'Efron in Makhpelah, which is by Mamre - the field, its cave and all the trees in and around it - were deeded

So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over

So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the border thereof round about, were made sure

Commentary

Genesis 23:17 marks a pivotal moment in the life of Abraham, detailing the successful and legally binding acquisition of the Cave of Machpelah and the surrounding field from Ephron the Hittite. This purchase served as a permanent burial place for his deceased wife, Sarah, and became a significant landmark in the history of Israel.

Context

Following the death of Sarah, Abraham's beloved wife, Abraham found himself a sojourner in the land of Canaan, where he owned no land for burial. He approached the Hittites, the local inhabitants, with a plea to purchase a burial site. After a public negotiation with Ephron, who initially offered the land as a gift, Abraham insisted on paying the full market price. This verse confirms the meticulous transfer of ownership, emphasizing every detail of the property: the field itself, the cave within it, and all the trees on its borders, ensuring the transaction was legally "made sure". This event is a crucial step in Abraham's establishment in the land God had promised him.

Key Themes

  • Abraham's Faith and Perseverance: Though God had promised Abraham the entire land of Canaan, he still had to purchase the first piece of it for a burial plot. This demonstrates Abraham's patient faith in God's ultimate plan, even when immediate circumstances required practical action to secure a family burial ground.
  • Legality and Integrity: The detailed description of the property ("the field, and the cave... and all the trees... in all the borders round about") and the phrase "were made sure" highlight the thoroughness and legal certainty of the transaction. This ensured no future disputes over ownership, establishing a clear title for Abraham and his descendants. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern legal practices of public witness and detailed documentation for land acquisition.
  • Establishment of a Family Tomb: The Cave of Machpelah became the patriarchal burial ground, a tangible link to God's covenant promises. It would later house Abraham himself, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah, serving as a physical anchor for the family's claim to the promised land and a symbol of their heritage.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "were made sure" in the KJV translates the Hebrew verb vayyakam (וַיָּקָם), which literally means "and it stood" or "it was established." This term emphasizes the legal finality and indisputable nature of the transaction. The property was not merely given or vaguely transferred; its ownership was firmly and irrevocably established in Abraham's name, leaving no room for doubt or future contestation regarding this vital piece of the promised land.

Significance and Application

This verse reminds us that even when God makes grand promises, there are often practical steps and processes involved in their fulfillment. Abraham's diligent and ethical approach to acquiring the land, even when it was promised to him, speaks to the importance of integrity and due diligence in all our dealings. The secure establishment of this burial site also foreshadows the firmness of God's covenant promise of land to Abraham's descendants. For believers today, it can be a reminder that our spiritual inheritance in Christ is also "made sure" (Ephesians 1:14), secured by God's faithfulness, though we walk by faith in the present. This narrative underscores the importance of securing a legacy, both earthly and spiritual, for future generations.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 25:9 (6 votes)

    And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which [is] before Mamre;

  • Genesis 50:13 (6 votes)

    For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

  • Genesis 23:20 (4 votes)

    And the field, and the cave that [is] therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.

  • Genesis 49:29 (3 votes)

    And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that [is] in the field of Ephron the Hittite,

  • Genesis 49:32 (3 votes)

    The purchase of the field and of the cave that [is] therein [was] from the children of Heth.

  • Acts 7:16 (3 votes)

    And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [the father] of Sychem.

  • Ephesians 5:15 (2 votes)

    See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,