And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,

GENESIS 23:8KJV
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Genesis 23:8 (KJV)

What does Genesis 23:8 mean?

Genesis 23:8 shows Abraham speaking with the local Hittite people, asking them to help arrange for him to buy a burial place for his wife Sarah. Abraham requests that if they agree with his plan, they should speak on his behalf to Ephron, the son of Zohar, who owns the land he wants.

Abraham is in a foreign land after Sarah’s death, and he needs a place to bury her. He respectfully addresses the Hittites, seeking their cooperation and favor. Instead of negotiating directly, Abraham asks the community to act as intermediaries with Ephron, showing both humility and respect for local customs.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 23:8

  • The word "communed" (דָּבַר, dabar) means to speak or converse, often implying a thoughtful or respectful discussion. Here, it highlights Abraham’s careful approach in dealing with the Hittites.
  • The word "intreat" (פָּגַע, pagaʿ) means to intercede or plead on someone’s behalf. Abraham is not just asking for permission; he is requesting the Hittites to actively advocate for him with Ephron, showing the importance of community mediation in ancient negotiations.
  • The word "mind" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh) literally means "soul" or "life," but is often used for "will" or "desire." Abraham is asking if it is truly their wish or intention to help him, not just a polite offer.

Why Genesis 23:8 matters

  • Genesis 23:8 clarifies that Abraham is not demanding land but is seeking it through respectful negotiation, highlighting his humility and sensitivity as a foreigner.
  • The verse shows the importance of community involvement in property transactions in ancient times, where direct negotiation was less common than involving respected intermediaries.
  • This interaction sets the stage for the first recorded land purchase in the Bible, showing how Abraham secures a permanent family burial site and a legal foothold in the land of Canaan.

Where else these words appear

“Zohar” Hebrew H6714 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 25:9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
  • Genesis 46:10 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
  • Exodus 6:15 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon.

“Ephron” Hebrew H6085 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 23:10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
  • 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.
  • Genesis 49:30 In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a buryingplace.

“intreat” Hebrew H6293 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
  • Joshua 19:34 And then the coast turneth westward to Aznothtabor, and goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising.
  • 1 Kings 2:34 So Benaiah the son of Jehoiada went up, and fell upon him, and slew him: and he was buried in his own house in the wilderness.

“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.