Bible Strands
Genesis 23:9
to sell me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him; it is at the end of his field. Let him sell it to me in your presence for full price, so that I may have a burial site.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abraham addresses the assembled Hittites at the city gate, instructing them to approach Ephron and secure the purchase of a specific field.
The words — The verb וְיִתֵּן־ (ve./yi.ten-) carries the literal sense "may he give" or "let him sell," applied directly to מְעָרַת הַמַּכְפֵּלָה (me.'a.Rat ha./makh.pe.Lah), "the cave of Machpelah."
The thread — The demand for a publicly witnessed, fully paid transaction aligns with the New Testament instructions to repay no one evil for evil (Romans 12:17) and to owe no one anything except love (Romans 13:8).
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to acknowledge that legitimate ownership and covenant obligations must be established through transparent, legally binding agreements rather than private favors.
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
That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
Cross-references
- Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Romans 13:8 Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.