Bible Strands
Genesis 23:11
“No, my lord. Listen to me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ephron the Hittite addresses Abraham at the city gate while the local Hittite elders observe. He responds to Abraham’s offer to purchase a burial site by publicly declaring an unconditional transfer of the field and cave.
The words — The Hebrew verb נָתַ֣תִּי (na.Ta.ti) translates literally as “I give” and appears twice to mark the transfer. The construction אֲשֶׁר־ נְתַתִּי־הָ ('a.Sher- ne.ta.Ti-ha) reads “which I give it,” anchoring the gift to a fixed object.
The thread — The public witness requirement aligns with Genesis 23:6, where the Hittites offer tombs before the people of the land. The principle of transparent, honorable commitment also surfaces in Isaiah 32:8, which notes that a noble man makes honorable plans.
Why it lands — The passage records a legal handover that leaves no room for future claims or hidden conditions. It requires the reader to treat land and burial rights as matters of public fact rather than private bargaining.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
Cross-references
- Luke 19:24 Then he told those standing by, ‘Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
- Isaiah 32:8 But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.
- Genesis 23:6 “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.”
- Genesis 23:18 to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.
- Numbers 35:30 If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness.
- Deuteronomy 17:6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- Ruth 4:1 Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.
- Ruth 4:4 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.
- Ruth 4:9 At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon.