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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 23:15 "Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/23-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/01_Gen_23_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 23:15 - The Death and Burial of Sarah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? 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Bury your dead.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“My lord, please listen to me. The land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends? Go ahead and bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />My lord, hearken unto me: the land <i>is worth</i> four hundred shekels of silver; what <i>is</i> that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“My lord, listen to me; the land <i>is worth</i> four hundred shekels of silver. What <i>is</i> that between you and me? So bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“My lord, listen to me: <i>a plot of</i> land worth four hundred shekels of silver—what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“My lord, hear me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“My lord, listen to me. The land [you seek] is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that between you and me? So bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“My lord, listen to me. Land worth four hundred shekels of silver —what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />My lord, listen to me. Land worth 400 shekels of silver—what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />My lord, hearken unto me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? Bury therefore thy dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />My lord, hearken unto me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Sir, listen to me. The land is worth ten pounds of silver. What is that between us? Bury your wife!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Sir, land worth only four hundred pieces of silver--what is that between us? Bury your wife in it." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Sir, listen to me! The land is worth 400 shekels of silver, but what's that between us? You may bury your dead."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Hear me, my lord. The land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between me and you? So bury your dead." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury your dead."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />My lord, hearken to me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury your dead.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“My lord, hear me: the land—four hundred shekels of silver; between me and you, what [is] it? Bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> My lord, hear me: the land -- four hundred shekels of silver; between me and thee, what is it? -- thy dead bury.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Lord, hear me: the land, four hundred shekels of silver; between me and between thee, what is that? and bury thy dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />My lord, hear me. The ground which thou desirest, is worth four hundred sicles of silver: this is the price between me and thee: but what is this? bury thy dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The land that you request is worth four hundred shekels of silver. This is the price between me and you. But how much is this? Bury your dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />sir, listen to me! A piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver—what is that between you and me? Bury your dead!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver—what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />My lord, hearken to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that between me and you? You may bury your dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“My Lord, hear me; the land is four hundred shekels of money. What is it between me and you? Bury your dead.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />My lord, hearken unto me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Nay, my lord, I have heard indeed, the land <i>is worth</i> four hundred silver didrachms, but what can this be between me and thee? nay, do thou bury thy dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/23-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=5130" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/23.htm">The Death and Burial of Sarah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Ephron answered Abraham, <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·mā·‘ê·nî (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 1cs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">“Listen to me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">my lord.</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ’e·reṣ (N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">The land</a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: ’ar·ba‘ (Number-fsc) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four.">is worth four</a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mê·’ōṯ (Number-fpc) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction.">hundred</a> <a href="/hebrew/8255.htm" title="8255: še·qel- (N-msc) -- (a measure of weight) shekel. From shaqal; probably a weight; used as a commercial standard.">shekels</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: ke·sep̄ (N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">of silver,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">but what</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. ">is that</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bê·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- An interval, space between. ">between you and me?</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: ū·ḇê·nə·ḵā (Conj-w:: Prep:: 2ms) -- An interval, space between. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6912.htm" title="6912: qə·ḇōr (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To bury. A primitive root; to intern.">Bury</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mê·ṯə·ḵā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 2ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">your dead.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/13-2.htm">Genesis 13:2</a></span><br />And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Genesis 33:19</a></span><br />And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-30.htm">Genesis 49:30-32</a></span><br />The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. / There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. / The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-24.htm">2 Samuel 24:24</a></span><br />“No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/21-24.htm">1 Chronicles 21:24</a></span><br />“No,” replied King David, “I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you, nor will I offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-9.htm">Jeremiah 32:9</a></span><br />So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out seventeen shekels of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-16.htm">Acts 7:16</a></span><br />Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-4.htm">Ruth 4:4-10</a></span><br />I thought I should inform you that you may buy it back in the presence of those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want to redeem it, do so. But if you will not redeem it, tell me so I may know, because there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am next after you.” “I will redeem it,” he replied. / Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-7.htm">Matthew 27:7</a></span><br />After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-20.htm">Acts 8:20</a></span><br />But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm">Proverbs 20:14</a></span><br />“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-2.htm">1 Kings 21:2</a></span><br />So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-15.htm">1 Kings 21:15-16</a></span><br />When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, who refused to give it to you for silver. For Naboth is no longer alive, but dead.” / And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-12.htm">Ezekiel 7:12</a></span><br />The time has come; the day has arrived. Let the buyer not rejoice and the seller not mourn, for wrath is upon the whole multitude.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Matthew 13:44</a></span><br />The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">My lord, listen to me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that between me and you? bury therefore your dead.</p><p class="hdg">is worth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/23-16.htm">Genesis 23:16</a></b></br> And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current <i>money</i> with the merchant.</p><p class="hdg">shekels.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/30-15.htm">Exodus 30:15</a></b></br> The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when <i>they</i> give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/45-12.htm">Ezekiel 45:12</a></b></br> And the shekel <i>shall be</i> twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Betwixt</a> <a href="/genesis/23-13.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/genesis/23-13.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/23-13.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/genesis/23-13.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">Four</a> <a href="/genesis/23-13.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/23-1.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/acts/27-39.htm">Land</a> <a href="/genesis/18-5.htm">Piece</a> <a href="/genesis/23-8.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">Shekels</a> <a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-7.htm">Value</a> <a href="/genesis/23-9.htm">Worth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/26-28.htm">Betwixt</a> <a href="/genesis/25-9.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/genesis/34-27.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/25-21.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/genesis/23-17.htm">Field</a> <a href="/genesis/23-16.htm">Four</a> <a href="/genesis/37-6.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/genesis/27-8.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/23-16.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/genesis/47-27.htm">Land</a> <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Piece</a> <a href="/genesis/23-19.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/genesis/23-16.htm">Shekels</a> <a href="/genesis/23-16.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/genesis/24-53.htm">Value</a> <a href="/genesis/27-46.htm">Worth</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/23-1.htm">The age and death of Sarah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/23-3.htm">The purchase of the field and cave of Machpelah;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/23-19.htm">where Sarah is buried.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Listen to me, my lord.</b><br>This phrase reflects the cultural norms of ancient Near Eastern negotiations, where respect and honorific titles were commonly used. The speaker, Ephron the Hittite, addresses Abraham with deference, acknowledging his status and wealth. This interaction occurs in the context of Abraham seeking a burial site for his wife Sarah, highlighting the importance of respectful dialogue in transactions.<p><b>The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver,</b><br>The mention of "four hundred shekels of silver" provides insight into the economic practices of the time. Shekels were a standard unit of weight and currency in the ancient world. This amount suggests a significant sum, indicating the value of the land. Archaeological findings suggest that silver was a common medium of exchange, and this transaction reflects the formalized nature of property sales in that era.<p><b>but what is that between you and me?</b><br>This phrase suggests a customary practice of bargaining, where the initial offer might be higher than the expected final price. Ephron's statement can be seen as a rhetorical device, implying that the relationship between him and Abraham transcends monetary concerns. It reflects the social dynamics of the time, where personal relationships often influenced business dealings.<p><b>Bury your dead.</b><br>The phrase underscores the urgency and importance of providing a proper burial, a significant cultural and religious practice in ancient times. It reflects the respect for the deceased and the need for a designated burial site. This moment is pivotal in the narrative, as it marks the first piece of the Promised Land that Abraham legally owns, fulfilling part of God's covenant promise. The act of securing a burial site also foreshadows the future possession of the land by Abraham's descendants.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, who is seeking a burial place for his wife, Sarah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephron_the_hittite.htm">Ephron the Hittite</a></b><br>The owner of the field and cave of Machpelah, who offers to sell the land to Abraham.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>Abraham's wife, whose death prompts the negotiation for a burial site.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_hittites.htm">The Hittites</a></b><br>A group of people living in Canaan, among whom Abraham resides as a foreigner.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_cave_of_machpelah.htm">The Cave of Machpelah</a></b><br>The burial site that Abraham wishes to purchase for Sarah, located in Hebron.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_transactions.htm">Integrity in Transactions</a></b><br>Abraham's insistence on paying the full price for the land demonstrates integrity and respect in dealings with others. As Christians, we are called to conduct our business with honesty and fairness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>Despite being a foreigner, Abraham's purchase of the land is an act of faith in God's promise to give his descendants the land. We are encouraged to trust in God's promises, even when they seem distant or unfulfilled.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_the_dead.htm">Respect for the Dead</a></b><br>The care Abraham takes in securing a proper burial site for Sarah reflects the importance of honoring loved ones. This teaches us to value and respect the lives and memories of those who have passed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_relations.htm">Community Relations</a></b><br>Abraham's interaction with the Hittites shows the importance of maintaining good relationships with those around us, even if they do not share our faith. We are called to be peacemakers and to live harmoniously with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_commitment.htm">The Cost of Commitment</a></b><br>The price of four hundred shekels of silver represents a significant investment. Our commitment to God's promises and purposes may require sacrifices and investments of time, resources, and energy.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_bible_without_error.htm">Is the Bible without error?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_a_prophet_redeem_an_adulterous_wife.htm">Given the cultural norms of Hosea's time, is it plausible that a prophet would buy back and restore an adulterous wife as portrayed in Hosea 3?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_abraham_host_the_lord_as_travelers.htm">How could Abraham host and feed three travelers identified as the Lord in human form (Genesis 18:1-5) without any hint of deception or strangeness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/biblical_weights_and_measures.htm">What are the Biblical weights and measures?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">The land is worth . . . --</span>Our version misses the courtliness of Ephron's answer, who only fixes the price indirectly, saying, "Land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee?" The money amounts to about 50, no mean price, considering the high value of silver in those days.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/23-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Listen to me,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמָעֵ֔נִי</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mā·‘ê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my lord.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The land</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶרֶץ֩</span> <span class="translit">(’e·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is worth] four</span><br /><span class="heb">אַרְבַּ֨ע</span> <span class="translit">(’ar·ba‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_702.htm">Strong's 702: </a> </span><span class="str2">Four</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hundred</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֹ֧ת</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3967.htm">Strong's 3967: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hundred</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shekels</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶֽׁקֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(še·qel-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8255.htm">Strong's 8255: </a> </span><span class="str2">A weight, a commercial standard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of silver,</span><br /><span class="heb">כֶּ֛סֶף</span> <span class="translit">(ke·sep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silver, money</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but what</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is that</span><br /><span class="heb">הִ֑וא</span> <span class="translit">(hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">between you and me?</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּינִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> </span><span class="str2">An interval, space between</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Bury</span><br /><span class="heb">קְבֹֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ḇōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6912.htm">Strong's 6912: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your dead.”</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵתְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ṯə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/23-15.htm">Genesis 23:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/23-15.htm">OT Law: Genesis 23:15 My lord listen to me (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/23-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 23:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 23:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/23-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 23:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 23:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>