My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

GENESIS 23:15KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“betwixt” Hebrew H996 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 16:12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.
  • Job 24:11 Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

“shekels” Hebrew H8255 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 23:16 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 money with the merchant.
  • Numbers 3:47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them:(the shekel is twenty gerahs:)
  • Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

“bury” Hebrew H6912 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
  • Ruth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
  • 2 Kings 15:7 So Azariah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.