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Genesis 23:5 The Hittites replied to Abraham,
<!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 23:5 The Hittites replied to Abraham,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/23-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/01_Gen_23_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 23:5 - The Death and Burial of Sarah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Hittites replied to Abraham," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/23-4.htm" title="Genesis 23:4">◄</a> Genesis 23:5 <a href="/genesis/23-6.htm" title="Genesis 23:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The Hittites replied to Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The Hittites replied to Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The Hittites answered Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Hittites replied to Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The Hittites replied to Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Hethites replied to Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Hittites replied to Abraham,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Hittites answered Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They answered, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The Hittites responded to Abraham, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Hittites replied to Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Heth answered Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the sons of Heth answer Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the sons of Heth answer Abraham, saying to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Heth will answer Abraham, saying to him,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The children of Heth answered, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The sons of Heth responded by saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The Hittites answered Abraham: “Please,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The Hittites answered Abraham,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the sons of Heth answered and said to Abraham,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the sons of Khyth answered and they said to Abraham.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the sons of Chet answered to Abraam, saying, Not so, Sir,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/23-5.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=5055" 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">4</span>“I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.” <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">The Hittites</a> <a href="/hebrew/2845.htm" title="2845: ḥêṯ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Canaan and probably ancestor of the Hittites. From chathath; terror; Cheth, an aboriginal Canaanite."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘ă·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To answer, respond.">replied</a> <a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">to Abraham,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>“Listen to us, sir. You are God’s chosen one among us. Bury your dead in the finest of our tombs. None of us will withhold his tomb for burying your dead.”…<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/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13-16</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions. / You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Genesis 17:8</a></span><br />And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Genesis 13:15</a></span><br />for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-35.htm">Genesis 24:35</a></span><br />“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-13.htm">Genesis 50:13</a></span><br />They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/6-8.htm">Exodus 6:8</a></span><br />And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-8.htm">Exodus 3:8</a></span><br />I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/33-53.htm">Numbers 33:53</a></span><br />You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-8.htm">Deuteronomy 1:8</a></span><br />See, I have placed the land before you. Enter and possess the land that the LORD swore He would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their descendants after them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Joshua 24:32</a></span><br />And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-5.htm">Acts 7:5</a></span><br />He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9-10</a></span><br />By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-13.htm">Hebrews 11:13-16</a></span><br />All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ...<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/23-3.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/23-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/23-3.htm">Heth</a> <a href="/genesis/23-3.htm">Hittites</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/23-7.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/23-7.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/23-7.htm">Heth</a> <a href="/genesis/23-7.htm">Hittites</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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>The Hittites:</b><br>The Hittites were an ancient people who lived in the region of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and had significant influence in the Near East during the second millennium BC. In the context of Genesis, they are depicted as inhabitants of Canaan, the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. The presence of the Hittites in Canaan is supported by archaeological evidence, which shows that they had settlements in the region. The Hittites in this passage are likely local Canaanite tribes rather than the larger Hittite Empire. Their interaction with Abraham highlights the patriarch's status as a foreigner and sojourner in the land, yet one who is respected and has established relationships with the local inhabitants.<p><b>replied to Abraham:</b><br>This phrase indicates a dialogue between Abraham and the Hittites, suggesting a level of mutual respect and communication. Abraham's request to purchase a burial site for his wife Sarah demonstrates his desire to establish a permanent family presence in the land God promised to him. The Hittites' willingness to engage in this conversation reflects Abraham's reputation and standing among them. This interaction is significant as it marks the first recorded purchase of land by Abraham in Canaan, symbolizing the beginning of the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to his descendants. The respectful negotiation also underscores the importance of maintaining peaceful relations and the practice of hospitality in ancient Near Eastern culture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>A patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this chapter, he seeks to purchase a burial site for his wife, Sarah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/hittites.htm">Hittites</a></b><br>A group of people living in Canaan during Abraham's time. They are the descendants of Heth and are known for their interactions with the patriarchs.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>Abraham's wife, whose death prompts Abraham to seek a burial site. Her passing marks a significant moment in Abraham's life and the account of Genesis.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land where Abraham and the Hittites reside. It is the Promised Land that God has assured to Abraham and his descendants.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/machpelah.htm">Machpelah</a></b><br>The cave that Abraham wishes to purchase from the Hittites as a burial site for Sarah. It becomes a significant family burial site for the patriarchs.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Abraham's interaction with the Hittites demonstrates his faith in God's promises. He acts with integrity and respect, even as a foreigner, showing that faith is lived out in everyday decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respectful_negotiation.htm">Respectful Negotiation</a></b><br>Abraham's respectful approach to the Hittites serves as a model for how Christians should engage with others, especially those who do not share their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_heritage.htm">Legacy and Heritage</a></b><br>The purchase of a burial site underscores the importance of leaving a legacy of faith and preparing for future generations. It reminds believers to consider how their actions today impact their spiritual heritage.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_promises_and_patience.htm">God's Promises and Patience</a></b><br>Abraham's life illustrates the importance of patience and trust in God's timing. Even when promises seem distant, believers are called to remain faithful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_engagement.htm">Community Engagement</a></b><br>Abraham's dealings with the Hittites highlight the importance of engaging with the surrounding community, building relationships, and being a witness to God's faithfulness.<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/why_does_genesis_23_contradict_canaan's_inheritance.htm">Why does the narrative in Genesis 23 seem to contradict other passages suggesting Abraham freely inherited Canaan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_abraham's_deal_with_ephron_proven.htm">Is there any record outside the Bible proving Abraham's transaction with Ephron the Hittite mentioned in Genesis 23?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_rebekah_in_the_bible.htm">Who is Rebekah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_hittites_in_hebron,_gen_23.htm">How can we verify the historical accuracy of the Hittites' presence in Hebron as mentioned in Genesis 23:3-10?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 5, 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the children of Heth answered. Abraham, saying unto him, Hear us, my lord. My lord</span> (Adoni) = sir, <span class="accented">monsieur</span>, or <span class="accented">mein herr</span>. One acts as the spokesman of all; the number changing from plural to singular. The LXX., reading <span class="hebrew">לֹא</span> instead of <span class="hebrew">לו</span>, after the Samaritan Codex, render <span class="greek">μὴ</span> <span class="greek">κύριε</span>, Not so, my lord; but hear us. <span class="cmt_word">Thou art a mighty prince among us</span>. Literally, a <span class="accented">prince of Elohim</span>; not of Jehovah, since the speakers were heathen whose ideas of Deity did not transcend those expressed in the term Elohim. According to a familiar Hebrew idiom, the phrase might be legitimately translated as in the A.V. - cf. "mountains of God," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> great mountains, <a href="/psalms/36-6.htm">Psalm 36:6</a>; "cedars of God," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> goodly cedars, <a href="/psalms/80-10.htm">Psalm 80:10</a> (Calvin, Kimchi, Rosenmüller, 'Speaker's Commentary'); but, as employed by the Hittite chieftains, it probably expressed that they regarded him as a prince or phylarch, not to whom God had given an elevated aspect (Lange), but either whom God had appointed (Gesenius), or whom God manifestly favored (Kalisch, Murphy). This estimate of Abraham strikingly contrasts with that which the patriarch had formed (Ver. 4) of himself. <span class="cmt_word">In the choice of our sepulchers bury thy dead; none of us will withhold from thee his sepulcher, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.</span> This remarkable offer on the part of the Hittites Thomson ('Land and Book,' p. 578) regards as having been merely compliment, which Abraham was too experienced an Oriental not to understand. But, even if dictated by true kindness and generosity, the proposal was one to which for many reasons - faith in God, love for the dead, and respect for himself being among the strongest - the patriarch could not accede. With perfect courtesy, therefore, though likewise with respectful firmness, he declines their offer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/23-5.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">The Hittites</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘ă·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Abraham,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/23-5.htm">Genesis 23:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/23-5.htm">OT Law: Genesis 23:5 The children of Heth answered Abraham saying (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/23-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 23:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 23:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/23-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 23:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 23:6" /></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>