Genesis 23:15 (KJV)

What does Genesis 23:15 mean?

Genesis 23:15 records Ephron the Hittite telling Abraham that the price for the burial land is four hundred shekels of silver, but he downplays the amount as insignificant between them and encourages Abraham to go ahead and bury his dead. Ephron is naming a price while also acting as if the cost should not be a barrier between them.

In this verse, Ephron is speaking to Abraham during their negotiation for a burial plot for Sarah. The conversation takes place at the city gate, where such agreements were made publicly. Ephron’s words show both the formal nature of the transaction and a polite, almost exaggerated, gesture of generosity—though the price he names is quite high for the time.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 23:15

• "lord" (אֲדֹנִי, ʾadoní): This is a respectful way Ephron addresses Abraham, showing deference and courtesy in their negotiation.
• "betwixt" (בֵּין, beyn): This word means "between," emphasizing the relationship and suggesting that the amount of silver should not come between them as men of standing.
• "shekels" (שֶׁקֶל, sheqel) and "silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph): These specify the form and material of payment, highlighting that the transaction is serious and formal, not just a casual gift.

Why Genesis 23:15 matters

• Genesis 23:15 clarifies that the negotiation for Sarah’s burial place was not just a friendly gesture but a real business transaction, with a specific and substantial price set.
• The verse helps readers see the customs of the time, where politeness and formality could mask tough bargaining and high prices.
• This moment sets up Abraham’s legal ownership of the land, which is important for the story of his descendants and their connection to the land of Canaan.