Genesis 23:15
New International Version
“Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

New Living Translation
“My lord, please listen to me. The land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends? Go ahead and bury your dead.”

English Standard Version
“My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.”

New American Standard Bible
“My lord, listen to me: a plot of land worth four hundred shekels of silver—what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.”

NASB 1995
“My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.”

NASB 1977
“My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“My lord, hear me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead.”

Amplified Bible
“My lord, listen to me. The land [you seek] is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that between you and me? So bury your dead.”

Christian Standard Bible
“My lord, listen to me. Land worth four hundred shekels of silver —what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
My lord, listen to me. Land worth 400 shekels of silver—what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

American Standard Version
My lord, hearken unto me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? Bury therefore thy dead.

English Revised Version
My lord, hearken unto me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Sir, listen to me. The land is worth ten pounds of silver. What is that between us? Bury your wife!"

Good News Translation
"Sir, land worth only four hundred pieces of silver--what is that between us? Bury your wife in it."

International Standard Version
"Sir, listen to me! The land is worth 400 shekels of silver, but what's that between us? You may bury your dead."

Majority Standard Bible
“Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

NET Bible
"Hear me, my lord. The land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between me and you? So bury your dead."

New Heart English Bible
"My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury your dead."

Webster's Bible Translation
My lord, hearken to me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

World English Bible
“My lord, listen to me. What is a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you? Therefore bury your dead.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“My lord, hear me: the land—four hundred shekels of silver; between me and you, what [is] it? Bury your dead.”

Young's Literal Translation
My lord, hear me: the land -- four hundred shekels of silver; between me and thee, what is it? -- thy dead bury.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Lord, hear me: the land, four hundred shekels of silver; between me and between thee, what is that? and bury thy dead.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
My lord, hear me. The ground which thou desirest, is worth four hundred sicles of silver: this is the price between me and thee: but what is this? bury thy dead.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The land that you request is worth four hundred shekels of silver. This is the price between me and you. But how much is this? Bury your dead.”

New American Bible
sir, listen to me! A piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver—what is that between you and me? Bury your dead!”

New Revised Standard Version
“My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver—what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My lord, hearken to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that between me and you? You may bury your dead.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“My Lord, hear me; the land is four hundred shekels of money. What is it between me and you? Bury your dead.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
My lord, hearken unto me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Nay, my lord, I have heard indeed, the land is worth four hundred silver didrachms, but what can this be between me and thee? nay, do thou bury thy dead.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Death and Burial of Sarah
14Ephron answered Abraham, 15“Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” 16Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants.…

Cross References
Genesis 13:2
And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.

Genesis 33:19
And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver.

Genesis 49:30-32
The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. / There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. / The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites.”

2 Samuel 24:24
“No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

1 Chronicles 21:24
“No,” replied King David, “I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you, nor will I offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

Jeremiah 32:9
So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out seventeen shekels of silver.

Acts 7:16
Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.

Ruth 4:4-10
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. / Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” ...

Matthew 27:7
After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.

Acts 8:20
But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

Proverbs 20:14
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.

1 Kings 21:2
So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”

1 Kings 21:15-16
When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, who refused to give it to you for silver. For Naboth is no longer alive, but dead.” / And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

Ezekiel 7:12
The time has come; the day has arrived. Let the buyer not rejoice and the seller not mourn, for wrath is upon the whole multitude.

Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.


Treasury of Scripture

My lord, listen to me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that between me and you? bury therefore your dead.

is worth.

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.

shekels.

Exodus 30:15
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

Ezekiel 45:12
And the shekel shall be twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

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Betwixt Bury Dead Ear Field Four Hear Hearken Hundred Land Piece Rest Shekels Silver Value Worth
Genesis 23
1. The age and death of Sarah.
3. The purchase of the field and cave of Machpelah;
19. where Sarah is buried.














Listen to me, my lord
This phrase reflects the cultural norms of ancient Near Eastern negotiations, where politeness and respect were paramount. The Hebrew word for "listen" is "שְׁמַע" (shema), which implies not just hearing but understanding and considering. The use of "my lord" (אֲדֹנִי, adoni) is a term of respect, acknowledging Abraham's status and the seriousness of the transaction. This phrase sets the tone for a respectful negotiation, emphasizing the importance of honor and integrity in dealings.

The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver
The mention of "four hundred shekels of silver" provides insight into the economic practices of the time. A "shekel" (שֶׁקֶל, shekel) was a standard unit of weight and currency in the ancient world. The amount suggests a significant sum, indicating the value of the land and the seriousness of the transaction. Historically, this reflects the practice of weighing silver for transactions, as coinage was not yet in use. This phrase underscores the importance of fair trade and the recognition of value in property transactions.

but what is that between you and me?
This rhetorical question highlights the relationship between Ephron and Abraham. It suggests a gesture of goodwill, implying that the monetary value is secondary to the relationship and mutual respect between the two parties. The phrase can be seen as a customary way to express that the transaction should not hinder their relationship. It reflects the biblical principle of valuing relationships over material wealth, a theme consistent throughout Scripture.

Bury your dead
This phrase is the culmination of the negotiation, focusing on the primary purpose of the transaction: to provide a burial place for Sarah, Abraham's wife. The Hebrew word for "bury" (קָבַר, qabar) signifies the act of laying to rest, which was a significant cultural and religious duty. The emphasis on "your dead" personalizes the transaction, acknowledging Abraham's loss and the importance of honoring the deceased. This reflects the biblical value placed on family, respect for the dead, and the provision of a proper burial, which was seen as an act of love and respect.

(15) The land is worth . . . --Our version misses the courtliness of Ephron's answer, who only fixes the price indirectly, saying, "Land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee?" The money amounts to about 50, no mean price, considering the high value of silver in those days.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Listen to me,
שְׁמָעֵ֔נִי (šə·mā·‘ê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

my lord.
אֲדֹנִ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

The land
אֶרֶץ֩ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

[is worth] four
אַרְבַּ֨ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

hundred
מֵאֹ֧ת (mê·’ōṯ)
Number - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3967: A hundred

shekels
שֶֽׁקֶל־ (še·qel-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard

of silver,
כֶּ֛סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

but what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is that
הִ֑וא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

between you and me?
בֵּינִ֥י (bê·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

Bury
קְבֹֽר׃ (qə·ḇōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6912: To inter

your dead.”
מֵתְךָ֖ (mê·ṯə·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT Law: Genesis 23:15 My lord listen to me (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 23:14
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