Genesis 23 — Greek, Translation, Interlinear & Discourse

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἡ ζωὴ Σαρρας ἔτη ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι ἑπτά· οὗτοι χρόνοι ζωῆς Σαρρας.

And the life of Sarah was one hundred and twenty-seven years; these are the years of the life of Sarah.

Obituary headingἘγένετο δὲ

The chapter opens with the life-span obituary formula rather than the standard narrative wayyiqtol: ἐγένετο δὲ (δέ substituting for narrative καί marks a slight transition) gives Sarah's age at death in three-part Hebrew arithmetic (100 + 20 + 7 = 127). The closing formula οὗτοι χρόνοι ζωῆς Σαρρας functions as a refrain echoing the obituary inscriptions of Gen 5; Sarah is the only woman in the Pentateuch whose age at death is explicitly recorded — a singular mark of honor.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words

Ἐγένετοwas / came to beAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: frames the obituary)→ constative aorist (summarizing a completed life)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be'; the life 'came to be' — the verb frames the span as a completed whole; cf. the same formula in the Gen 5 obituaries (ἐγένετο πᾶσαι αἱ ἡμέραι … ἔτη).

δὲnow / andcontinuative / mild adversative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἡtheNominativearticle (with ζωή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ζωὴlifeNominativesubject→ participant prominenceζωή: 'life'; renders Hebrew חַיִּים (ḥayyîm, always plural in Hebrew, singular in Greek); the obituary formula measures the life by years rather than narrating events — duration is the honor paid.

Σαρραςof SarahGenitivegenitive of possession (whose life)→ relational specificationΣαρρα: LXX first-declension form of Hebrew שָׂרָה ('princess'); declined in Greek (gen. Σαρρας, dat. Σαρρᾳ, acc. Σαρραν); Sarah is the only matriarch whose age at death is recorded in the Pentateuch — a singular literary honor.

ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent (measure of the life-span)→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; accusative of extent marks the duration; renders Hebrew שָׁנָה (šānâ).

ἑκατὸνone hundredcardinal numeral (first component of three-part sum)→ measure or countἑκατὸν: meaning 'one hundred'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.

εἴκοσιtwentycardinal numeral (second component)→ measure or countεἴκοσι: meaning 'twenty'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.

ἑπτάsevencardinal numeral (third component)→ measure or countThe three-part Hebrew arithmetic formula (100 + 20 + 7) is reproduced exactly in the LXX; the total 127 years is given without a sum — Greek readers must add; the same broken-number format appears in the Gen 5 genealogies.

οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject of the closing refrain clause→ participant referenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject of the closing refrain clause.

χρόνοιyearsNominativepredicate nominative (anarthrous: closing epitaph formula)→ participant prominenceχρόνος: 'time / year'; anarthrous in Rahlfs — οὗτοι χρόνοι ζωῆς Σαρρας functions as a lapidary inscription: 'these are years of Sarah's life'; the absence of the article gives the phrase epitaph-like weight.

ζωῆςof lifeGenitivegenitive of description (qualifying χρόνοι)→ relational specificationζωῆς: meaning 'of life'; it serves as genitive of description (qualifying χρόνοι).

Σαρραςof SarahGenitivegenitive of possession (resuming the subject of v.1)→ relational specificationΣαρρας: meaning 'of Sarah'; it serves as genitive of possession (resuming the subject of v.1).

ἀπέθανεν δὲ Σαρρα ἐν πόλει Αρβοκ, ἥ ἐστιν ἐν τῷ κοιλώματι· αὕτη ἐστὶν Χεβρων ἐν γῇ Χανααν· ἦλθεν δὲ Αβρααμ κόψασθαι Σαρραν καὶ πενθῆσαι.

And Sarah died in the city of Arbok, which is in the valley; this is Hebron in the land of Canaan. And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep.

Death report + responseἀπέθανεν δὲ

Two δέ-clauses drive the verse: first Sarah's death at Arbok / Hebron with a geographical gloss, then Abraham's arrival for mourning. The pairing of κόψασθαι (ritual breast-beating) and πενθῆσαι (grieving) is the standard ancient Near Eastern mourning dyad, distinguishing outward ritual from inner sorrow. The geographical note 'this is Hebron in the land of Canaan' frames Hebron as still foreign territory, setting up the legal necessity of purchasing rather than simply occupying a grave.

Word-by-word analysis· 24 words

ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (narrative: death report)→ constative aorist (single completed event)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; compound ἀπό + θνῄσκω; the simple statement of death contrasts with the elaborate age-obituary of v.1 — now the life ends in one word.

δὲnowcontinuative particle (introducing the death report)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΣαρραSarahNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΣαρρα: meaning 'Sarah'; it serves as subject.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

πόλειcityDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceπόλις: 'city'; renders Hebrew עִיר; the death at Kiriath-arba / Hebron anchors the burial narrative geographically and sets up the land-purchase.

ΑρβοκArbokindeclinable proper noun (city-name, in apposition to πόλει)→ participant identificationΑρβοκ: LXX phonetic rendering of Hebrew קִרְיַת אַרְבַּע (Kiriath-arba, 'city of four / four'); the LXX drops 'Kiriath' and approximates אַרְבַּע as Αρβοκ; identified within the verse as Χεβρων (Hebron).

ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun, subject of the identification clause→ participant referenceἥ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, subject of the identification clause.

ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (geographical identification)→ gnomic present (permanent fact)εἰμί: copula.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κοιλώματιvalley / hollowDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceκοίλωμα: 'hollow / valley'; the LXX renders a Hebrew topographical term as a common noun here rather than preserving a proper name; Hebron sits in a highland valley in the southern hill country.

αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject (glossing the location)→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject (glossing the location).

ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (city identification formula)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: equative 'is'; the question of identity is the question of the whole chapter — is this really the woman who left full?

ΧεβρωνHebronindeclinable proper noun (predicate: the city's other name)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: LXX transliteration of Hebrew חֶבְרוֹן (Hebron); one of the most ancient cities of Canaan, associated with Abraham throughout Genesis; later David's first royal seat (2 Sam 2:1–4); Acts 7:16 (Stephen's speech) places the purchased burial plot at Shechem — a conflation of Gen 23 (Hebron) and Gen 33:19 / Josh 24:32 (Shechem) that is a classic text-critical crux in Acts.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place.

ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (land of Canaan)→ participant identificationΧανααν: LXX transliteration of כְּנָעַן; the phrase 'in the land of Canaan' is the standard geographical frame marking Hebron as still the promised-but-not-yet-possessed territory; the purchase will be Abraham's sole legal foothold in it.

ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (second narrative action: Abraham's arrival)→ constative aorist (completed journey)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; here 'came to pass / were realized'; the singular verb with the neuter plural subject πάντα τὰ σημεῖα follows the regular Greek rule.

δὲnowcontinuative particle (second δέ: introducing Abraham's response)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: LXX transliteration of אַבְרָהָם; indeclinable throughout the LXX; the subject of every legal and mourning action in the chapter — his is the initiative from grief to purchase.

κόψασθαιto mourn / to beat the breastAor Mid Inf · κόπτωinfinitive of purpose (after ἦλθεν: he came in order to …)→ purpose infinitive (ritual mourning action)κόπτομαι: 'beat the breast / mourn ritually'; the middle voice of κόπτω ('cut / beat') is the standard idiom for formal mourning by chest-beating; cf. Luke 23:48 (κόπτεσθαι) for the identical gesture at the crucifixion; the word signals the public, performative dimension of Abraham's grief.

ΣαρρανSarahAccusativeaccusative object (of mourning)→ object specificationΣαρραν: meaning 'Sarah'; it serves as accusative object (of mourning).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking the two mourning infinitives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πενθῆσαιto grieve / to weepAor Act Inf · πενθέωinfinitive of purpose (coordinate with κόψασθαι)→ purpose infinitive (inner grief as complement to ritual)πενθέω: 'mourn / grieve'; broader than κόπτομαι — the inward sorrow rather than the outward ritual gesture; the pairing distinguishes performed mourning from felt grief; cf. Matt 5:4 (μακάριοι οἱ πενθοῦντες, 'blessed are those who mourn').

καὶ ἀνέστη Αβρααμ ἀπὸ τοῦ νεκροῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς υἱοῖς Χετ λέγων

And Abraham rose from his dead and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,

Sequential action (transition from grief to public petition)καὶ

The narrative καὶ ἀνέστη ('and he rose') marks Abraham's transition from the posture of mourning to legal action — a culturally significant gesture: rising from one's dead signals readiness for public business. The speech is directed to 'the sons of Heth,' the Hittite assembly, marking this as a formal communal petition. The participle λέγων is the standard LXX recitative formula introducing direct speech, calquing Hebrew לֵאמֹר.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀνέστηroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (narrative action: end of mourning posture)→ constative aorist (punctiliar: the moment of rising)ἀνίστημι: 'stand up / rise'; the verb marks the end of the mourning-posture and the beginning of public action; the same root governs NT resurrection language (ἀνάστασις); Abraham's rising 'from his dead' mirrors the legal convention of concluding a period of acute mourning.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: separation from)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: separation from).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νεκροῦdead / corpseGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the body from which he rises)→ relational specificationνεκρός: 'dead body / corpse'; substantival adjective used as a noun; the phrase ἀπὸ τοῦ νεκροῦ αὐτοῦ ('from his dead one') renders Hebrew מֵעַל פְּנֵי מֵתוֹ ('from before his dead') — the possessive makes the death intimate and the separation deliberate.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενspoke / saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech initiation)→ constative aorist (single speech act)εἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

τοῖςtheDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱοῖςsonsDativeindirect object (dative of recipient)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; 'sons of Heth' = Hittites (Hebrew בְּנֵי-חֵת, bene-Ḥet); the Hittites hold local power in the Hebron region; the phrase recurs seven times in Gen 23, functioning as the legal-witness formula for each stage of the transaction; cf. Heb 11:9 where Abraham sojourns as alien 'in the land of promise' among such peoples.

ΧετHethindeclinable proper noun, genitive of origin (sons of Heth)→ participant identificationΧετ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew חֵת (Ḥet), eponymous ancestor of the Hittites; consistently indeclinable in LXX; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Χετ appears seven times in Gen 23 — the Hittites serve throughout as the legal-witness chorus authenticating Abraham's title.

λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωattendant circumstance participle (recitative: introduces direct speech)→ circumstantial present participle (Hebraistic 'saying')λέγω: the participle λέγων is the standard LXX formula for introducing reported speech, calquing Hebrew לֵאמֹר; here it functions as a recitative tag — 'saying:' — opening Abraham's petition.

Πάροικος καὶ παρεπίδημος ἐγώ εἰμι μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν· δότε μοι κτῆσιν τάφου μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν, καὶ θάψω τὸν νεκρόν μου ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ.

I am a resident alien and a stranger among you; give me a possession of a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead from before me.

Direct speech: the sojourner's legal petitionasyndeton

The self-identification πάροικος καὶ παρεπίδημος is placed first for rhetorical emphasis — the asyndeton and the forward position of the double predicate before εἰμι give the self-description maximum weight. The petition δότε μοι κτῆσιν τάφου uses the legal term κτῆσις ('possession / title'), signaling that Abraham is requesting ownership, not merely use-rights. NT echo: the exact word-pair πάροικος–παρεπίδημος is inherited verbatim at 1 Pet 2:11 and animates the pilgrim theology of Heb 11:13 — these words become the scriptural definition of the believer's stance in the world.

Word-by-word analysis· 20 words

Πάροικοςresident alien / sojournerNominativepredicate nominative (first of the double self-description, placed forward for emphasis)→ participant prominenceπάροικος: 'one who dwells alongside / resident alien'; the legal term for a non-citizen resident — someone with limited rights in a community not their own; renders Hebrew גֵּר (ger), the resident alien with some protections but no land-title; 1 Pet 2:11 inherits this word verbatim (παρεπιδήμους καὶ παροίκους παρακαλῶ) to describe the pilgrim identity of believers; Heb 11:9 uses the cognate verb παρῴκησεν of Abraham himself.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking the two self-descriptions)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρεπίδημοςstranger passing through / alien sojournerNominativepredicate nominative (second self-description, coordinate with πάροικος)→ participant prominenceπαρεπίδημος: 'one who is a foreigner upon / stranger passing through'; intensifies πάροικος — not merely a resident alien but one whose foreignness is even more transient; the compound παρ-επί-δημος stacks three prefixes of distance; 1 Pet 2:11 quotes the pair directly; Heb 11:13 generalizes it: ξένοι καὶ παρεπίδημοί εἰσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ('strangers and aliens upon the earth') — making Gen 23:4 the scriptural root of the NT pilgrim theology.

ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun: 'I myself am')→ participant referenceἐγώ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic pronoun: 'I myself am').

εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present (stating a permanent legal status)εἰμί: 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος renders אֲנִי יהוה.

μεθ᾽among / withpreposition + genitive (associative: 'among you')→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾽: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (associative: 'among you').

ὑμῶνyou (pl.)Genitivegenitive object of μετά (associative)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you (pl.)'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (associative).

δότεgiveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (imperative: the legal petition)→ constative aorist imperative (requesting a completed transaction)δίδωμι: 'give / grant'; the aorist imperative frames the request as a completed legal act, not an ongoing favor; the transactional register is deliberate — Abraham is invoking the legal right of purchase.

μοιto meDativedative of advantage (recipient of the possession)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (recipient of the possession).

κτῆσινpossession / propertyAccusativedirect object (the legal title requested)→ object specificationκτῆσις: 'possession / acquisition / property'; the key legal term of the chapter; renders Hebrew אֲחֻזַּת (ʾăḥuzzat), the technical term for heritable property; Abraham is requesting not a temporary use-right but a κτῆσις — a deed of ownership; the same term recurs at 23:9, 18, 20 as the chapter's legal refrain.

τάφουof burial / tombGenitivegenitive of purpose (possession for burial)→ relational specificationτάφος: 'burial / tomb'; genitive of purpose: 'a possession destined for burial'; the phrase κτῆσιν τάφου is the chapter's legal formula for the burial ground, repeated at 23:20.

μεθ᾽among / withpreposition + genitive (locative: 'among you' — situating the burial within their territory)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾽: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'among you' — situating the burial within their territory).

ὑμῶνyou (pl.)Genitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you (pl.)'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.

καὶand / so thatcoordinating conjunction (consecutive / result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

θάψωI will buryFut Act Indic 1 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (future: statement of intent / result)→ predictive future (the purpose of the purchase)θάπτω: 'bury'; renders Hebrew וְאֶקְבְּרָה (waw-consecutive + cohortative: 'that I may bury'); the LXX's future indicative θάψω carries the same purposive force — the purchase exists so that burial can happen.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with νεκρόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νεκρόνdead / corpseAccusativedirect object of θάψω→ object specificationνεκρός: 'dead one / corpse'; the article makes it definite — this particular dead one (Sarah); the phrasing τὸν νεκρόν μου ('my dead') is intimate and possessive, echoing the ἀπὸ τοῦ νεκροῦ αὐτοῦ of v.3.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

ἀπ᾽from / away frompreposition + genitive (ablative: removal from before him)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾽: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: removal from before him).

ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (emphatic form of the pronoun)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό (emphatic form of the pronoun).

ἀπεκρίθησαν δὲ οἱ υἱοὶ Χετ πρὸς Αβρααμ λέγοντες

And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying,

Speech introduction (Hittite communal response)ἀπεκρίθησαν δὲ

The compound ἀπεκρίθησαν + δέ is the LXX's standard response formula, calquing Hebrew וַיַּעֲנוּ; the present clause is a speech heading with no content of its own — the Hittite reply follows in v.6. The collective subject 'the sons of Heth' frames the response as communal, not individual, underlining the public-legal character of the proceeding.

Word-by-word analysis· 8 words

ἀπεκρίθησανansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aorist (single response act)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / respond'; deponent passive form; the standard LXX verb for formal responses in legal and dialogue contexts; renders Hebrew וַיַּעֲנוּ.

δὲnowcontinuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (collective: the Hittite assembly)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (collective: the Hittite assembly).

ΧετHethindeclinable proper noun, genitive of origin→ participant identificationΧετ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of origin.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: to Abraham)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: to Abraham).

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of πρός.

λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · λέγωattendant circumstance participle (recitative: introduces direct speech)→ durative present participle (the accompanying words)λέγω: λέγοντες (plural) is the recitative participle matching the plural subject υἱοί, calquing Hebrew לֵאמֹר; it functions as a speech-introduction tag.

Μὴ κύριε· ἄκουσον δὲ ἡμῶν· βασιλεὺς παρὰ θεοῦ εἶ σὺ ἐν ἡμῖν· ἐν τοῖς ἐκλεκτοῖς μνημείοις ἡμῶν θάψον τὸν νεκρόν σου· οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἡμῶν τὸ μνημεῖον αὐτοῦ κωλύσει ἀπὸ σοῦ τοῦ θάψαι τὸν νεκρόν σου ἐκεῖ.

No, my lord; but hear us: you are a prince from God among us; in our choicest tombs bury your dead — for none of us will withhold his tomb from you to bury your dead there.

Direct speech: courtly honorific offerasyndeton

The Hittites' response is a masterpiece of honorific diplomacy: they open with the refusal-formula Μὴ κύριε ('No, my lord'), then invert the power dynamic by designating Abraham βασιλεὺς παρὰ θεοῦ ('a prince from God'), the highest possible honorific. The offer of their choicest tombs is an extravagant gesture of hospitality that Abraham will politely decline in favor of a specific purchase. The γάρ clause at the end provides the grounding warrant — the offer is unconditional because no Hittite will withhold his tomb.

Word-by-word analysis· 36 words

Μὴno / not sonegative particle (polite refusal / demurral: 'please no' / 'not at all')→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: in this pragmatic context μή functions as a polite negation-of-a-premise — 'no, not at all' — rather than a prohibition; it is the courtly formula for brushing aside a previous framing (here: Abraham's self-deprecation as a sojourner).

κύριεmy lordVocativevocative of address→ direct addressκύριος: 'lord / master'; the vocative κύριε as a title of respectful address; the Hittites address Abraham with the highest term of respect, which they will then justify with the divine-prince designation.

ἄκουσονhear / listenAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative: request for attention)→ constative aorist imperative (a single act of hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen to'; the aorist imperative ἄκουσον is the standard Near Eastern courtesy formula for requesting a hearing before making a proposal — it recurs as ἀκούσατέ in v.8 and εἰς τὰ ὦτα ('into the ears') elsewhere in the chapter.

δὲbut / nowmild adversative particle (contrast with the Μή refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἄκουσον (genitive with ἀκούω: hear us)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἄκουσον (genitive with ἀκούω: hear us).

βασιλεὺςprince / kingNominativepredicate nominative (placed first for emphasis: the honorific title)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king / prince / ruler'; renders Hebrew נְשִׂיא אֱלֹהִים ('a prince of God'), where נָשִׂיא = 'elevated one / chieftain'; the LXX's βασιλεύς upgrades the title to 'king,' the highest status word in Greek; the phrase βασιλεὺς παρὰ θεοῦ is a superlative honorific — a divinely-appointed ruler — placed at the head of the clause for maximum effect.

παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from God' = divinely appointed)→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from God' = divinely appointed).

θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive object of παρά (divine source of the status)→ relational specificationθεός: renders Hebrew אֱלֹהִים (ʾĕlōhîm); the Hittites acknowledge Abraham's divine standing — remarkable as a pagan recognition of the God of Abraham.

εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present (stating a recognized status)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the predicate-adjective construction; though present in form, it carries the past sense of Saul's former lowliness.

σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic: 'you yourself are')→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic: 'you yourself are').

ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative-associative: 'among us')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative-associative: 'among us').

ἡμῖνusDativedative object of ἐν (locative: in our community)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (locative: in our community).

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in our tombs)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in our tombs).

τοῖςtheDativearticle (with μνημείοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐκλεκτοῖςchoicest / chosenDativeattributive adjective (modifying μνημείοις: our choicest tombs)→ sphere or referenceἐκλεκτός: 'chosen / selected / best'; renders Hebrew מִבְחַר (mibḥar, 'the choicest / best of'); the Hittites are offering their premium burial sites — an extravagant gesture.

μνημείοιςtombs / monumentsDativedative of place (locative: bury in our tombs)→ sphere or referenceμνημεῖον: 'tomb / monument / memorial'; renders Hebrew קֶבֶר (qeber, 'grave/tomb'); the cognate μνήμη ('memory') underlies the word — a tomb is a monument of memory.

ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (our tombs)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (our tombs).

θάψονburyAor Act Impv 2 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (imperative: the Hittites' generous invitation)→ constative aorist imperative (requesting a single burial act)θάπτω: 'bury'; the Hittites now use the same word Abraham used in his request (v.4 θάψω), mirroring his vocabulary back to him in a gesture of welcome.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νεκρόνdeadAccusativedirect object of θάψον→ object specificationνεκρόν: meaning 'dead'; it serves as direct object of θάψον.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (of the γάρ warrant clause)→ participant prominenceοὐδείς: 'no one / not one'; the universal negative subject of the warrant clause guaranteeing the offer: 'for not one of us will withhold…'.

γὰρforpostpositive explanatory conjunction (grounding the offer)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἡμῶνof usGenitivepartitive genitive (of us = any one of us)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'of us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive (of us = any one of us).

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with μνημεῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μνημεῖονtombAccusativedirect object of κωλύσει→ object specificationμνημεῖον: meaning 'tomb'; it serves as direct object of κωλύσει.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (each one's own tomb)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (each one's own tomb).

κωλύσειwill withhold / preventFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κωλύωmain verb (future: the guarantee of the offer)→ predictive future (the warrant for the offer)κωλύω: 'hinder / prevent / withhold'; the future indicative gives the guarantee legal force — it is a binding declaration that no Hittite will impede Abraham's use of any tomb.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation: withhold from you)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: withhold from you).

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle with infinitive (genitive articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θάψαιto buryAor Act Inf · θάπτωgenitive articular infinitive of purpose (from hindering you to bury)→ purpose infinitiveθάπτω: 'bury'; renders קָבַר; the articular infinitive τοῦ θάψαι expresses the purpose of the return; the burial-motif dominates vv. 29–31.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νεκρόνdeadAccusativedirect object of θάψαι→ object specificationνεκρόν: meaning 'dead'; it serves as direct object of θάψαι.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (in the choicest tomb offered)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

καὶ ἀναστὰς Αβρααμ προσεκύνησεν τῷ λαῷ τῆς γῆς, τοῖς υἱοῖς Χετ.

And Abraham rose and bowed down to the people of the land, to the sons of Heth.

Narrative action (courtesy bow before the counter-request)καὶ

The bow (προσεκύνησεν) following the Hittites' generous offer is the required courtesy gesture of acknowledgment before making a more specific counter-request. The same verb recurs at 23:12 — the chapter's etiquette is marked by paired bows flanking each major exchange. τῷ λαῷ τῆς γῆς ('the people of the land') = Hebrew עַם הָאָרֶץ, the free landowning citizens of a locality who constitute the legal assembly.

Word-by-word analysis· 11 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀναστὰςhaving risenAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀνίστημιattendant circumstance participle (precedes the main verb: he rose and bowed)→ constative aorist participle (decisive rising: from seated watcher to active defender)ἀνίστημι: the aorist participle ἀναστάς marks the physical act of rising as the prerequisite of bowing — one bows from a standing position; it may also signal a formal transition in posture (rising from mourning) to mark this as a public legal act.

προσεκύνησενbowed downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (formal gesture of respect)→ constative aorist (single performed act)προσκυνέω: 'bow down / prostrate oneself'; the word most commonly used for worship in the NT (Matt 4:9, 10; John 4:20–24; Rev passim); in the OT and LXX it is the standard formal gesture of respect toward human superiors as well as toward God; here it is purely social — a bow of gratitude acknowledging the Hittites' generous offer.

τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαῷpeopleDativedative of recipient (he bowed to the people)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people / nation'; here = the assembled civic body, the free-landowner assembly; renders Hebrew עַם (ʿam); 'the people of the land' (עַם הָאָרֶץ) is a legal-administrative term for the body of propertied citizens who witness and validate formal transactions.

τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of definition (people of the land = the local civic assembly)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of definition (people of the land = the local civic assembly).

τοῖςtheDativearticle (with υἱοῖς: appositive phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱοῖςsonsDativedative in apposition to λαῷ τῆς γῆς (identifying the people of the land as Hittites)→ sphere or referenceυἱοῖς: meaning 'sons'; it serves as dative in apposition to λαῷ τῆς γῆς (identifying the people of the land as Hittites).

καὶ ἐλάλησεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς Αβρααμ λέγων· Εἰ ἔχετε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν ὥστε θάψαι τὸν νεκρόν μου ἀπὸ προσώπου μου, ἀκούσατέ μου καὶ λαλήσατε περὶ ἐμοῦ Εφρων τῷ τοῦ Σααρ·

And Abraham spoke to them, saying, 'If it is your will to bury my dead from before me, hear me and speak on my behalf to Ephron son of Zohar,'

Sequential speech: refined petition naming a specific sellerκαὶ

Abraham acknowledges the Hittites' courtesy (ἀκούσατέ μου — 'hear me') but redirects his request to a specific individual: Ephron son of Σααρ. The conditional protasis εἰ ἔχετε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν is a Hebraism for 'if it is in your soul / if it is your will' — calquing Hebrew אִם-יֶשׁ-אֶת-נַפְשְׁכֶם; the polite conditional gives the Hittites formal space to decline while making the request precise. The λαλήσατε περὶ ἐμοῦ ('speak on my behalf to') turns the Hittite assembly into interceding intermediaries.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech initiation)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; slightly more emphatic than λέγω in LXX narrative; here signals a formal public address directed toward the assembled Hittites.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: toward them)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: toward them).

αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the Hittite assembly)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the Hittite assembly).

Εἰifconditional conjunction (introducing the first-class protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastΕἰ: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωconditional protasis (εἰ clause: 'if you have it in your soul')→ customary present (ongoing disposition)ἔχω: 'have'; in the phrase ἔχετε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν ('you have in your soul') this is a Hebraism calquing Hebrew יֶשׁ-אֶת-נַפְשְׁכֶם ('if it is with your soul' = 'if you are willing'); ψυχή + ἔχω in this idiom means 'it is your will / desire' — a polite conditional framing.

τῇtheDativearticle (with ψυχῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ψυχῇsoul / willDativedative of sphere (have-in your soul = have it in mind)→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'soul / life / self / will'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ (nepeš); in this idiom the soul represents the locus of volition — 'if you have it in your soul' = 'if you are willing'; the phrase is a Hebraism without a direct Greek parallel.

ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your soul = your will)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your soul = your will).

ὥστεto / so as toconsecutive conjunction + infinitive (result / content of the willing)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: meaning 'to'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

θάψαιto buryAor Act Inf · θάπτωinfinitive of content (the content of the will: to bury)→ purpose infinitiveθάπτω: 'bury'; renders קָבַר; the articular infinitive τοῦ θάψαι expresses the purpose of the return; the burial-motif dominates vv. 29–31.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νεκρόνdeadAccusativedirect object of θάψαι→ object specificationνεκρόν: meaning 'dead'; it serves as direct object of θάψαι.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: remove from my presence)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: remove from my presence).

προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (from my face / from before me)→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἀπὸ προσώπου μου ('from before my face') is a Hebraism calquing Hebrew מִלְּפָנַי (milfānay, 'from before me'); the idiom conveys both the physical act (removing the body from view) and the emotional urgency of burial.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (from before me)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (from before me).

ἀκούσατέhear meAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative: request for attention, resuming after the protasis)→ constative aorist imperativeἀκούω: the repeated request for a hearing (cf. ἄκουσον in v.6) is part of the formal near-Eastern negotiation etiquette — each turn in the dialogue opens by requesting the other party's attention.

μουmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούσατε→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀκούσατε.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking the two imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

λαλήσατεspeakAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (imperative: the specific request — act as intermediaries)→ constative aorist imperativeλαλέω: 'speak'; the Hittite assembly is asked to serve as go-betweens, advocating for Abraham to Ephron — a formal intercession role in the legal transaction.

περὶon behalf of / concerningpreposition + genitive (on my behalf)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'on behalf of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (on my behalf).

ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of περί (emphatic pronoun: on my behalf)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of περί (emphatic pronoun: on my behalf).

ΕφρωνEphronindeclinable proper noun, indirect object of λαλήσατε (speak to Ephron)→ participant identificationΕφρων: LXX transliteration of Hebrew עֶפְרוֹן (ʿEprōn, 'fawn / dusty'); the specific Hittite from whom Abraham wishes to purchase the cave; he is identified by patronymic as 'the son of Σααρ' — a formal legal introduction.

τῷtheDativearticle (dative with Εφρων, marking the indirect object relationship)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle (genitive: Ephron 'the [son] of Zohar' — patronymic construction)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΣααρZoharindeclinable proper noun, genitive of patronymic (son of Zohar)→ participant identificationΣααρ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew צֹחַר (Ṣōḥar, 'whiteness / brilliance'); Ephron's father; the patronymic construction τῷ τοῦ Σααρ ('to the [son] of Zohar') is the standard LXX way of expressing a patronymic when the word υἱός ('son') is elided.

καὶ δότω μοι τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ διπλοῦν, ὅ ἐστιν αὐτῷ, τὸ ὂν ἐν μέρει τοῦ ἀγροῦ αὐτοῦ· ἀργυρίου τοῦ ἀξίου δότω μοι αὐτὸ ἐν ὑμῖν εἰς κτῆσιν τάφου.

that he give me the double cave which belongs to him, which is at the end of his field; for the full silver price let him give it to me among you as a possession for a burial place.

Continuation of speech: the specific requestκαὶ

This verse completes the request begun in v.8: Abraham names the specific property — τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ διπλοῦν, 'the double cave.' The LXX's translation of Machpelah (Hebrew מְעָרַת הַמַּכְפֵּלָה) as 'the double cave' rather than a transliterated proper name is one of the chapter's key translational decisions: the root כָּפַל ('to double/fold') is rendered interpretively as διπλοῦς. The insistence on full payment (ἀργυρίου τοῦ ἀξίου, 'for the silver of its value') establishes a legal κτῆσις, not a gift-obligation.

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing the speech of v.8)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

δότωlet him giveAor Act Impv 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (third-person imperative: request that Ephron give)→ constative aorist imperative (requesting a single completed transfer)δίδωμι: 'give / grant'; the third-person aorist imperative δότω ('let him give') is the polite indirect request — Abraham asks the Hittite assembly to relay the petition to Ephron, so he addresses them while speaking about Ephron in the third person.

μοιto meDativedative of advantage (recipient of the property)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (recipient of the property).

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with σπήλαιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπήλαιονcaveAccusativedirect object of δότω→ object specificationσπήλαιον: 'cave'; renders Hebrew מְעָרָה (meʿārâ, 'cave'); the word is neuter; it recurs throughout the chapter (vv.9, 11, 17, 19, 20) as the chapter's central object — the cave that is both the price and the goal of the transaction.

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with διπλοῦν: attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

διπλοῦνdoubleAccusativeattributive adjective (the double / twofold cave)→ object specificationδιπλοῦς: 'double / twofold'; this is the LXX's translation of the Hebrew proper name Machpelah (מַּכְפֵּלָה, from the root כָּפַל, 'to fold / double'); rather than transliterating the place-name the translator renders its meaning — 'the double cave' — making the etymology legible in Greek but losing the proper name; this translation decision is unique in the LXX treatment of this cave-name and marks it as a deliberate interpretive choice.

ὅwhichAccusativerelative pronoun, accusative (referring to σπήλαιον: 'which belongs to him')→ participant referenceὅ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, accusative (referring to σπήλαιον: 'which belongs to him').

ἐστινis / belongsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with dative of possession: 'which is his')→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

αὐτῷhisDativedative of possession (belongs to him = Ephron)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession (belongs to him = Ephron).

τὸtheAccusativearticle with participle (articular participle, adjectival, referring to σπήλαιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὂνbeing / which isPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Neut · εἰμίarticular participle (adjectival: further describing the cave's location)→ participial qualificationεἰμί: the articular participle τὸ ὄν functions as a relative clause — 'the [cave] being at the end of his field'; it adds a second description of the specific property in addition to the relative clause ὅ ἐστιν αὐτῷ.

ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (locative: at the edge/end of his field)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: at the edge/end of his field).

μέρειpart / end / portionDativedative of place (at the boundary / end of the field)→ sphere or referenceμέρος: 'part / portion / end'; renders Hebrew קְצֵה (qeṣeh, 'end / extremity of'); the cave is at the far end of the field — a spatial detail that becomes important for the property description of 23:17.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀγροῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγροῦfieldGenitivegenitive of location (at the end of his field)→ relational specificationἀγρός: 'field / piece of land'; the cave is located at the edge of Ephron's field — a specific plot of agricultural land; in the final transaction Abraham acquires both field and cave (v.17), not only the cave.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Ephron's field)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Ephron's field).

ἀργυρίουof silverGenitivegenitive of price (let him give it for silver — the currency of the transaction)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders Hebrew כֶּסֶף (kesep, 'silver / money'); silver was the standard medium of exchange in the ancient Near East; the genitive of price (ἀργυρίου τοῦ ἀξίου) specifies that full market value is to be paid.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with ἀξίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀξίουof its value / fullGenitivegenitive adjective (modifying ἀργυρίου: silver of its proper value)→ relational specificationἄξιος: 'worthy / of equal value / full price'; ἀργυρίου τοῦ ἀξίου = 'silver of its worth' = the full market price; Abraham insists on a legal purchase at fair value rather than a gift — establishing clean title without obligation.

δότωlet him giveAor Act Impv 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (repeated imperative: resuming and emphasizing the request)→ constative aorist imperativeδίδωμι: 'give / lay / impute'; in δότω … λόγον, 'lay a charge / impute a matter'; Ahimelech begs the king not to impute guilt to his house.

μοιto meDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.

αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object (resumptive: referring back to τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ διπλοῦν)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (resumptive: referring back to τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ διπλοῦν).

ἐνamong / in the presence ofpreposition + dative (locative-associative: before you as witnesses)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative-associative: before you as witnesses).

ὑμῖνyou (pl.)Dativedative object of ἐν (among you = before you as the witnessing assembly)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you (pl.)'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (among you = before you as the witnessing assembly).

εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (purpose / result: as a possession for burial)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose / result: as a possession for burial).

κτῆσινpossession / propertyAccusativeaccusative of purpose (εἰς κτῆσιν: into / as a legal possession)→ object specificationκτῆσις: 'possession / property'; the key legal term of the chapter, here used for the second time (cf. v.4); the phrase εἰς κτῆσιν τάφου exactly mirrors the request of v.4 and recurs at v.20 as the chapter's legal refrain, confirming that the title has been transferred.

τάφουof burialGenitivegenitive of purpose (possession destined for burial)→ relational specificationτάφου: meaning 'of burial'; it serves as genitive of purpose (possession destined for burial).

Εφρων δὲ ἐκάθητο ἐν μέσῳ τῶν υἱῶν Χετ· ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Εφρων ὁ Χετταῖος πρὸς Αβρααμ εἶπεν ἐν ἐπηκόῳ τῶν υἱῶν Χετ καὶ πάντων τῶν εἰσπορευομένων εἰς τὴν πόλιν λέγων

Now Ephron was sitting in the midst of the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the sons of Heth and of all those entering the city, saying,

Character introduction + speech setup (public hearing formula)Εφρων δὲ

The narrator introduces Ephron before his speech with the imperfect ἐκάθητο ('was sitting') — he was already publicly present in the Hittite assembly, not summoned. The elaborate public-hearing formula ἐν ἐπηκόῳ τῶν υἱῶν Χετ καὶ πάντων τῶν εἰσπορευομένων εἰς τὴν πόλιν specifies the audience in legal detail: every word was heard by the Hittites and all the city-gate traffic — this is a binding public act.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

ΕφρωνEphronindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΕφρων: LXX transliteration of Hebrew עֶפְרוֹן (ʿEprōn); the seller of the cave; his name means 'fawn / dusty one'; he conducts the transaction with elaborate Near Eastern courtesy, offering the field as a gift before naming a price.

δὲnowcontinuative / transitional particle (introducing the new character's position)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκάθητοwas sittingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (descriptive imperfect: ongoing state before Abraham's petition)→ progressive imperfect (he was already seated in the assembly)κάθημαι: 'sit'; the imperfect ἐκάθητο marks a background state — Ephron was already sitting publicly among the Hittites when Abraham made his request; his presence in the assembly is therefore continuous, not a special summons, giving his response all the more legal weight.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

μέσῳmidstDativedative of place (in the midst of the assembly)→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ + genitive = 'in the midst of'; Ephron sits centrally among the Hittite assembly — a position of prominence indicating his status as a leading citizen.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of group (in the midst of the sons of Heth)→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive of group (in the midst of the sons of Heth).

ἀποκριθεὶςhaving answered / answeringAor Pass Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκρίνομαιattendant circumstance participle (precedes the main verb εἶπεν: answered and said)→ coincident aorist participleἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / respond'; the aorist participle ἀποκριθείς is the standard LXX speech-introduction attendant circumstance, calquing Hebrew וַיַּעַן; it pairs with εἶπεν to give the double formula 'answered and said.'

δὲnowcontinuative particle (introducing Ephron's response)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΕφρωνEphronindeclinable proper noun, subject (restated with title)→ participant identificationΕφρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (restated with title).

ὁtheNominativearticle (with Χετταῖος: identifying Ephron's ethnic group)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΧετταῖοςHittiteNominativepredicate adjective in apposition (Ephron the Hittite)→ participant prominenceΧετταῖος: 'Hittite'; the gentilic adjective derived from Χετ; Ephron is now identified by his ethnonym rather than by patronymic — he is a full member of the Hittite community whose legal act will be binding on that community.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: speaking to Abraham)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: speaking to Abraham).

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech act)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: in the hearing of)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: in the hearing of).

ἐπηκόῳhearing / earshotDativedative of sphere (ἐν ἐπηκόῳ = within the hearing of, legally audible to)→ sphere or referenceἐπήκοος: 'within earshot / audible to'; the phrase ἐν ἐπηκόῳ is the LXX's standard formula for the legal requirement that formal transactions be conducted publicly and within hearing; it guarantees the validity of the contract before named witnesses.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (genitive with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (whose hearing: the sons of Heth as witnesses)→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive (whose hearing: the sons of Heth as witnesses).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (expanding the list of witnesses)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πάντωνallGenitivegenitive (totality: all who were entering)→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive (totality: all who were entering).

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with εἰσπορευομένων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

εἰσπορευομένωνentering / coming inPres Mid Ptc Gen Pl Masc · εἰσπορεύομαιarticular participle (substantival: those who were entering the city = the city-gate public)→ participial qualificationεἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter / go in'; the city gate was where legal transactions and judicial proceedings were held in ancient Near Eastern culture (cf. Ruth 4:1–12); those 'entering the city' are the general public passing through the gate who serve as additional witnesses.

εἰςintopreposition + accusative (directional: into the city)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: into the city).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the city = Hebron / Kiriath-arba)→ object specificationπόλιν: meaning 'city'; it serves as accusative object of εἰς (the city = Hebron / Kiriath-arba).

Πάρες μοι, κύριε· ἄκουσον δέ μου· τὸν ἀγρόν σοι δίδωμι καὶ τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ· ἐναντίον πάντων τῶν πολιτῶν μου δίδωμί σοι αὐτόν· θάψον τὸν νεκρόν σου.

No, my lord; hear me: I give you the field and the cave in it; in the presence of all my fellow citizens I give it to you; bury your dead.

Direct speech: Ephron's public gift-offerasyndeton

Ephron opens with Πάρες μοι ('let it pass for me' = 'no, please') — a courtly counter to Abraham's request, rebranding purchase as gift. He publicly offers the entire field and cave (both objects expanded from Abraham's request for the cave only). The double δίδωμι ('I give / I give') with its second occurrence ἐναντίον πάντων τῶν πολιτῶν ('in the presence of all my fellow citizens') is a public, legally binding declaration. The imperative θάψον τὸν νεκρόν σου ('bury your dead') closes the offer as an invitation.

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

Πάρεςno / let it beAor Act Impv 2 Sg · παρίημιidiomatic negation / polite refusal ('let it pass' = 'not at all, please')→ constative aorist imperative (brushing aside Abraham's premise)παρίημι: 'let pass / let go / dismiss'; in this idiom Πάρες μοι functions as a polite brush-off of the previous framing — Ephron dismisses the commercial framing entirely so he can reframe as a gift; renders Hebrew לֹא אֲדֹנִי (lōʾ ʾăḏōnî, 'No, my lord').

μοιto me / pleaseDativedative of interest (ethical dative: 'let it pass as far as I am concerned')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of interest (ethical dative: 'let it pass as far as I am concerned').

κύριεmy lordVocativevocative of address→ direct addressκύριε: meaning 'my lord'; it serves as vocative of address.

ἄκουσονhearAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative: request for a hearing)→ constative aorist imperativeἀκούω: 'hear/listen'; renders שָׁמַע; Abigail asks David to give her plea a hearing.

δέbut / nowpostpositive particle (mild adversative after the refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

μουmeGenitivegenitive object of ἄκουσον→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἄκουσον.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀγρόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγρόνfieldAccusativedirect object of δίδωμι (Ephron expands the offer from cave to whole field)→ object specificationἀγρός: 'field'; Ephron expands Abraham's request (which was only for the cave) to include the entire field — a gesture of extravagance that will however be taken up in the final deed of sale (v.17).

σοιto youDativedative of advantage (recipient of the gift)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (recipient of the gift).

δίδωμιI givePres Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (first-person present: performative declaration of gift)→ performative present (the giving is the saying)δίδωμι: 'give'; the present tense is performative — saying 'I give' in public constitutes the act of giving; this is the legal declaration of transfer; it is immediately repeated for emphasis.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding the cave to the field)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with σπήλαιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπήλαιονcaveAccusativedirect object (coordinate with ἀγρόν: field and cave)→ object specificationσπήλαιον: meaning 'cave'; it serves as direct object (coordinate with ἀγρόν: field and cave).

τὸtheAccusativearticle with adjectival phrase (ἐν αὐτῷ: the cave in it)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: the cave in the field)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: the cave in the field).

αὐτῷitDativedative object of ἐν (the cave which is in the field)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (the cave which is in the field).

ἐναντίονbefore / in the presence ofimproper preposition + genitive (the public witness formula)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the sight of / in the presence of'; renders Hebrew לִפְנֵי; the public-witness formula ἐναντίον πάντων τῶν πολιτῶν μου makes the declaration legally binding — a gift or sale made publicly before witnesses was irrevocable.

πάντωνallGenitivegenitive (totality of the witnesses)→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive (totality of the witnesses).

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with πολιτῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πολιτῶνcitizens / fellow townspeopleGenitivegenitive (the community before whom the declaration is made)→ relational specificationπολίτης: 'citizen / fellow townsman'; renders Hebrew עַמִּי (ʿammî, 'my people'); Ephron identifies the witnesses as 'my fellow citizens' — his own community stands as guarantor of the transfer.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (my fellow citizens)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (my fellow citizens).

δίδωμίI givePres Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (repeated performative: the second, public declaration)→ performative presentδίδωμι: the repeated δίδωμί σοι ('I give to you') after the public-witness formula gives the declaration double legal force; the repetition is not redundant but formulaic — the first states the content, the second performs it before witnesses.

σοιto youDativedative of advantage (recipient)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (recipient).

αὐτόνitAccusativedirect object (resumptive: the field + cave together, masculine form referring to ἀγρόν)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (resumptive: the field + cave together, masculine form referring to ἀγρόν).

θάψονburyAor Act Impv 2 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (imperative: the invitation closing the offer)→ constative aorist imperativeθάπτω: 'bury'; Ephron closes his generous offer with the same imperative the Hittites used in v.6 — 'bury your dead' — making his offer a full echo and expansion of the communal invitation.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νεκρόνdeadAccusativedirect object of θάψον→ object specificationνεκρόν: meaning 'dead'; it serves as direct object of θάψον.

καὶ προσεκύνησεν Αβρααμ ἐναντίον τοῦ λαοῦ τῆς γῆς.

And Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.

Narrative action (second courtesy bow)καὶ

The second bow in the chapter (cf. v.7) follows Ephron's public offer and acknowledges it with the required courtesy gesture before Abraham frames his counter-request in v.13. The brevity of the verse — a single clause — gives it a ritual quality: it is a formal, legally significant act, not merely an emotional response.

Word-by-word analysis· 8 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προσεκύνησενbowed downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (formal bow of courtesy)→ constative aorist (single performed act)προσκυνέω: 'bow down / prostrate'; the second use of this verb in the chapter (cf. v.7); the paired bows at vv.7 and 12 frame the negotiation's two phases — after the Hittites' communal offer and after Ephron's specific offer — marking each stage with formal acknowledgment.

ἐναντίονbefore / in the presence ofimproper preposition + genitive (before the assembled community)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by improper preposition + genitive (before the assembled community).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον (before the people)→ relational specificationλαοῦ: meaning 'people'; it serves as genitive object of ἐναντίον (before the people).

τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of definition (the people of the land = the civic assembly)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of definition (the people of the land = the civic assembly).

καὶ εἶπεν τῷ Εφρων εἰς τὰ ὦτα τοῦ λαοῦ τῆς γῆς· Ἐπεὶ πρός σε εἴη, ἄκουσόν μου· τὸ ἀργύριον τοῦ ἀγροῦ λάβε παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ, καὶ θάψω τὸν νεκρόν μου ἐκεῖ.

And he spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land: 'If it would please you, hear me: take the silver of the field from me, and I will bury my dead there.'

Abraham's counter-response: insisting on paymentκαὶ

Abraham addresses Ephron directly (not through intermediaries as in v.8) and repeats the public-hearing formula 'into the ears of the people of the land' — every step of the negotiation is witnessed. The courtesy optative εἴη ('if it would please you') softens what is in fact a firm counter-offer: Abraham insists on paying silver and will not accept the field as a gift. The verse ends with the same purpose-statement as v.4 (θάψω τὸν νεκρόν μου), forming a bracket around the entire negotiation.

Word-by-word analysis· 30 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech act, directed now to Ephron directly)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

τῷto theDativearticle (dative article with Εφρων, marking indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΕφρωνEphronindeclinable proper noun, indirect object (addressee)→ participant identificationΕφρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, indirect object (addressee).

εἰςintopreposition + accusative (directional: into the ears = in the hearing of)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: into the ears = in the hearing of).

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὦτα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὦταearsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (into the ears = publicly audible)→ object specificationοὖς (pl. ὦτα): 'ear'; εἰς τὰ ὦτα + genitive is the LXX's legal public-hearing formula (cf. ἐν ἐπηκόῳ in v.10); it appears three times in this chapter (vv.10, 13, 16), underscoring the public validity of the proceedings.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (in the hearing of the people)→ relational specificationλαοῦ: meaning 'people'; it serves as genitive (in the hearing of the people).

τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of definition (the people of the land)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of definition (the people of the land).

Ἐπεὶsince / if onlyconditional / causal conjunction (with optative: polite protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐπεί: 'since / when / if'; with the optative εἴη the clause becomes a polite hypothetical — 'if it could please you' / 'if only it would be so'; renders Hebrew לוּ ('if only / would that'); the construction is a courtesy formula framing the counter-offer as contingent on Ephron's goodwill.

πρόςwith / towardpreposition + accusative (πρός σε εἴη = 'be with you / please you')→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (πρός σε εἴη = 'be with you / please you').

σεyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.

εἴηwere / would bePres Act Opt 3 Sg · εἰμίverb (optative: wish / polite condition — 'if it would please you')→ optative of wish / polite possibilityεἰμί: the optative εἴη in this courtesy phrase (Ἐπεὶ πρός σε εἴη = 'if it could be with you') expresses polite deference; Abraham is not demanding but requesting — the whole exchange is conducted in the register of elaborate Near Eastern courtesy even though both parties know that money will change hands.

ἄκουσόνhearAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative: the fourth use of ἄκουσον / ἀκούσατε in the chapter)→ constative aorist imperativeἀκούω: each stage of the negotiation opens with a request for a hearing (vv.6, 8, 11, 13) — the chapter's repeated courtesy formula; the piling up of ἄκουσον calls marks the elaborate formality of the transaction.

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀργύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀργύριονsilverAccusativedirect object of λάβε (take the silver = accept the payment)→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; Abraham insists on paying the silver price — he will not accept a gift that would leave him in social debt; the legal transaction requires paid silver to constitute a κτῆσις.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with ἀγροῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγροῦfieldGenitivegenitive of possession / purpose (the silver of the field = the purchase price for the field)→ relational specificationἀγρός: Abraham now explicitly includes the field in his offer (cf. v.9 where he asked only for the cave; Ephron offered the whole field in v.11 — now Abraham accepts the field's price too).

λάβεtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (imperative: the direct counter-offer — take the payment)→ constative aorist imperative (requesting a single completed act)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; Abraham's firm counter to Ephron's gift-offer: 'take the silver from me' — a legally binding payment offer that Ephron cannot refuse without loss of face before the assembled witnesses.

παρ᾽frompreposition + genitive (source: receive from me)→ spatial or relational framingπαρ᾽: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: receive from me).

ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of παρά (emphatic form: from me personally)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive object of παρά (emphatic form: from me personally).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (result / sequential purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

θάψωI will buryFut Act Indic 1 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (future: purpose / result of the purchase)→ predictive future (the goal of the transaction)θάπτω: θάψω τὸν νεκρόν μου ἐκεῖ exactly mirrors v.4 (θάψω τὸν νεκρόν μου ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ), closing the bracket around the entire negotiation — the opening petition and its resolution share the same vocabulary.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νεκρόνdeadAccusativedirect object of θάψω→ object specificationνεκρόν: meaning 'dead'; it serves as direct object of θάψω.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (in the purchased cave)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

ἀπεκρίθη δὲ Εφρων τῷ Αβρααμ λέγων

And Ephron answered Abraham, saying,

Speech introduction (Ephron's final word on price)ἀπεκρίθη δὲ

A bare speech-introduction verse (the LXX equivalent of a colon), announcing Ephron's decisive response to Abraham's insistence on payment. The brevity is deliberate — the whole weight falls on what follows in v.15.

Word-by-word analysis· 6 words

ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / respond / testify'; here 'has answered/witnessed against you' (κατὰ σοῦ), a forensic sense — the man's own statement stands as testimony condemning him.

δὲnowcontinuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΕφρωνEphronindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΕφρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

τῷtoDativearticle (dative with Αβρααμ: marks indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, indirect object (addressee)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, indirect object (addressee).

λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωattendant circumstance participle (recitative)→ circumstantial present participle (Hebraistic 'saying')λέγω (pres. ptc. λέγων): the redundant participle-of-saying rendering לֵאמֹר.

Οὐχί, κύριε· ἤκουσα δέ· γῆ τετρακοσίων διδράχμων ἀργυρίου ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ τί ἐστιν; σὺ δὲ τὸν νεκρόν σου θάψον.

'No, my lord; but I have heard you: a piece of land worth four hundred didrachmas of silver — what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.'

Direct speech: Ephron names the price while waving it awayasyndeton

Ephron's reply is the diplomatic high point of the chapter: he opens with the same Οὐχί ('no') refusal-formula as in v.11, then immediately concedes with ἤκουσα ('I have heard / I agree'). He names the price — four hundred didrachmas — while simultaneously dismissing it as trivial with the rhetorical question τί ἐστιν; ('what is it?'). The LXX renders the Hebrew שֶׁקֶל (shekel) with δίδραχμον, translating into Ptolemaic coinage; the same 400-shekel figure appears in the MT.

Word-by-word analysis· 21 words

Οὐχίnoemphatic negation particle (refusal / counter-framing)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχί: emphatic form of οὐ; here as a polite social refusal rather than a factual negation — the same register as Πάρες μοι in v.11; Ephron is deflecting Abraham's commercial frame to maintain the posture of generosity even as he names his price.

κύριεmy lordVocativevocative of address→ direct addressκύριε: meaning 'my lord'; it serves as vocative of address.

ἤκουσαI have heardAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (acknowledgment: 'I hear you' = I agree to your terms)→ constative aorist (completed act of accepting / agreeing)ἀκούω: ἤκουσα here functions idiomatically as an agreement formula — 'I have heard / I accept' — Ephron concedes to Abraham's insistence on paying; the verb recurs throughout the chapter as the courtesy marker of each party's acceptance of the other's terms.

δέnow / butpostpositive particle (transitioning to the price statement)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

γῆland / groundNominativesubject (nominative absolute / exclamatory topic: 'as for the land…')→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land / ground / earth'; in this construction γῆ τετρακοσίων διδράχμων is an exclamatory nominative: 'land worth four hundred didrachmas — what is that?'; the word renders Hebrew שָׂדֶה (śādeh, 'field').

τετρακοσίωνfour hundredGenitivenumeral adjective, genitive of value (four hundred [didrachmas])→ relational specificationτετρακόσιοι: 'four hundred'; the figure 400 shekels / 400 didrachmas is confirmed in both MT and LXX; the weight of silver would be approximately 4.5–5 kg at standard shekel weight — a substantial but not extraordinary commercial sum for a field in this period.

διδράχμωνdidrachmasGenitivegenitive of value (the currency unit)→ relational specificationδίδραχμον: 'didrachma / two-drachma coin'; the LXX renders the Hebrew שֶׁקֶל (shekel, a weight of silver) with the Greek δίδραχμον — a deliberate modernization for Ptolemaic readers who knew the didrachma coin but not the shekel weight; the same equation appears in the LXX Exodus provisions for the temple tax (Exod 30:13 LXX); NT echo: Matt 17:24 uses δίδραχμον for the temple tax.

ἀργυρίουof silverGenitivegenitive of material (didrachmas of silver)→ relational specificationἀργυρίου: meaning 'of silver'; it serves as genitive of material (didrachmas of silver).

ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (ἀνὰ μέσον = between, distributive)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (ἀνὰ μέσον = between, distributive).

μέσονmiddle / betweenAccusativeadverbial accusative (ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ = between you and me)→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle'; the phrase ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ ('between you and me') is the LXX idiom calquing Hebrew בֵּינִי וּבֵינְךָ; it frames the price as trivial relative to the relationship.

ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive (between me and you)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive (between me and you).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive (and you)→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (and you).

τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun, subject (rhetorical question: what is it?)→ participant referenceτί: interrogative 'what'; the rhetorical question τί ἐστιν; ('what is it?') dismisses the named price as negligible — Ephron is performing magnanimity even while naming his figure; the question expects the answer 'nothing.'

ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (in the rhetorical question)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic: closing the speech with a direct address to Abraham)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic: closing the speech with a direct address to Abraham).

δὲnowpostpositive particle (transitioning to the closing imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νεκρόνdeadAccusativedirect object of θάψον→ object specificationνεκρόν: meaning 'dead'; it serves as direct object of θάψον.

θάψονburyAor Act Impv 2 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (imperative closing the speech: go ahead and bury)→ constative aorist imperativeθάπτω: the chapter's recurring burial imperative; Ephron closes his speech with the same formula used in vv.6 and 11 — 'bury your dead' — now said after naming the price, signaling that he considers the matter practically settled.

καὶ ἤκουσεν Αβρααμ τοῦ Εφρων, καὶ ἀπεκατέστησεν Αβρααμ τῷ Εφρων τὸ ἀργύριον ὃ ἐλάλησεν εἰς τὰ ὦτα τῶν υἱῶν Χετ, τετρακόσια δίδραχμα ἀργυρίου δόκιμον ἐμπόρῳ.

And Abraham heeded Ephron, and Abraham paid Ephron the silver which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth — four hundred didrachmas of silver, current with the merchant.

Narrative resolution: the payment completedκαὶ

The scene's decisive act: Abraham 'hears' Ephron (ἤκουσεν — accepting his terms) and immediately weighs out the silver. The public formula 'in the hearing of the sons of Heth' confirms the transaction was witnessed. The certification phrase δόκιμον ἐμπόρῳ — 'current with the merchant' — is a commercial formula attested in papyri; it transforms the social exchange into a binding legal sale. The LXX's δίδραχμα renders the Hebrew שֶׁקֶל with Ptolemaic coinage.

Word-by-word analysis· 25 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἤκουσενheeded / acceptedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (Abraham's acceptance of Ephron's price)→ constative aorist (single completed act of acceptance)ἀκούω: 'hear / heed / accept'; ἤκουσεν τοῦ Εφρων = 'he heeded Ephron' — the genitive object marks acceptance of what was said (compare ἤκουσα in v.15); the verb closes the negotiation and opens the payment.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle (genitive with Εφρων: marks the object of ἤκουσεν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΕφρωνEphronindeclinable proper noun, genitive object of ἤκουσεν→ participant identificationΕφρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive object of ἤκουσεν.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential: accepted, and then paid)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπεκατέστησενpaid / weighed outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαθίστημιmain verb (the payment act)→ constative aorist (single completed transaction)ἀποκαθίστημι: 'restore / pay / settle'; in commercial contexts = 'to pay out / settle a debt'; renders Hebrew וַיִּשְׁקֹל (wayyišqōl, 'and he weighed out' — weighing being the standard method of paying silver before coinage); the LXX substitutes a payment verb for the Hebrew weighing verb, reflecting that Greek commerce used coined money.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, subject (restated for emphasis)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (restated for emphasis).

τῷtoDativearticle (dative with Εφρων: indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΕφρωνEphronindeclinable proper noun, indirect object (recipient of payment)→ participant identificationΕφρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, indirect object (recipient of payment).

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀργύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀργύριονsilverAccusativedirect object (the silver payment)→ object specificationἀργύριον: meaning 'silver'; it serves as direct object (the silver payment).

ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (referring to τὸ ἀργύριον: the silver which he had named)→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (referring to τὸ ἀργύριον: the silver which he had named).

ἐλάλησενhad named / declaredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb in relative clause (the silver Ephron named in public)→ constative aorist (the prior public naming)λαλέω: 'speak / declare'; the relative clause ὃ ἐλάλησεν ('which he had spoken / named') refers back to Ephron's public declaration in v.15; the silver paid is exactly what was publicly named — the transaction is precise and legally witnessed.

εἰςintopreposition + accusative (into the hearing of)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (into the hearing of).

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὦτα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὦταearsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (into the ears of = in the public hearing of)→ object specificationοὖς (pl. ὦτα): third and final use of the public-hearing formula in the chapter (cf. vv.10, 13); the threefold attestation underlines the complete legal validity of the transaction — every stage was publicly witnessed.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (in the hearing of the sons of Heth)→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive (in the hearing of the sons of Heth).

τετρακόσιαfour hundredAccusativenumeral adjective (the stated price: 400)→ object specificationτετρακόσια: meaning 'four hundred'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

δίδραχμαdidrachmasAccusativedirect object in apposition (specifying the silver paid: 400 didrachmas)→ object specificationδίδραχμον: 'didrachma / two-drachma coin'; the LXX's modernization of the Hebrew שֶׁקֶל into Ptolemaic coinage; 400 didrachmas = 800 drachmas, a significant commercial sum; NT echo: Matt 17:24 uses δίδραχμον for the temple tax, the same LXX coinage term.

δόκιμονcurrent / acceptedAccusativeaccusative predicate (certification formula: silver current / acceptable to the merchant)→ object specificationδόκιμος: 'proven / tested / acceptable / of certified quality'; renders Hebrew עֹבֵר לַסֹּחֵר (ʿōḇēr laṣṣōḥēr, 'current with the merchant,' lit. 'passing to the merchant'); δόκιμον ἐμπόρῳ is a commercial certification formula attested in papyri for coin or silver that has passed commercial inspection; the NT uses δόκιμος for tested, proven character (Rom 14:18; 2 Cor 10:18; 2 Tim 2:15).

ἐμπόρῳto the merchantDativedative object of δόκιμον (acceptable / current to the merchant)→ sphere or referenceἔμπορος: 'merchant / trader'; renders Hebrew סֹחֵר (sōḥēr, 'merchant / trader'); the phrase certifies the silver as commercially recognized coin, distinguishing legally accepted tender from debased metal.

καὶ ἐκυρώθη ὁ ἀγρὸς Εφρων ὃς ἦν ἐν τῷ διπλῷ σπηλαίῳ, ὅς ἐστιν ἀπέναντι Μαμβρη, ὁ ἀγρὸς καὶ τὸ σπήλαιον ὃ ἦν αὐτῷ καὶ πᾶν δένδρον ὃ ἦν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ καὶ ὃ ἦν ἐν τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτοῦ κύκλῳ,

And the field of Ephron which was at the double cave, which is opposite Mamre — the field and the cave which was in it, and every tree which was in the field and which was within its borders all around —

Legal ratification formula (first: the subject — the property inventory)καὶ

The sentence begun here is completed by v.18; ἐκυρώθη ('was ratified/confirmed') is the main verb, and vv.17–18 together constitute the formal conveyance deed. The lengthy property description — field, cave, every tree, everything within the borders — reproduces the ancient Near Eastern conveyance formula's requirement to enumerate all assets; nothing is left ambiguous. The repeated ὃ ἦν clauses are the enumeration machinery of the deed. The first ἐκυρώθη of two (the second is at 23:20) gives the transaction its legal bracket.

Word-by-word analysis· 39 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκυρώθηwas confirmed / ratifiedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κυρόωmain verb (legal ratification: the transaction is formally confirmed)→ constative aorist passive (a single completed legal act)κυρόω: 'to confirm / ratify / make legally valid'; the aorist passive ἐκυρώθη is the chapter's technical legal term — its root κύρ- is shared with κύριος ('lord / owner') and with the legal vocabulary of property conveyance documents (κύριος = rightful owner); ἐκυρώθη ('was ratified') is the LXX's legal equivalent of a deed being 'confirmed'; the verb recurs at 23:20 closing the chapter with the same formula.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἀγρὸς: the subject of the ratification)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγρὸςfieldNominativesubject of ἐκυρώθη→ participant prominenceἀγρὸς: meaning 'field'; it serves as subject of ἐκυρώθη.

Εφρωνof Ephronindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (Ephron's field)→ participant identificationΕφρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (Ephron's field).

ὃςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (masculine, referring to ἀγρός: the field which was at the double cave)→ participant referenceὃς: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (masculine, referring to ἀγρός: the field which was at the double cave).

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (descriptive imperfect: ongoing prior state of the property)→ progressive imperfect (background state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.

ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (locative: at/in the area of the double cave)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: at/in the area of the double cave).

τῷtheDativearticle (with σπηλαίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

διπλῷdoubleDativeattributive adjective (the double cave = Machpelah)→ sphere or referenceδιπλῷ: meaning 'double'; it serves as attributive adjective (the double cave = Machpelah).

σπηλαίῳcaveDativedative of location (the field which was at the double cave / in the Machpelah)→ sphere or referenceσπήλαιον: ἐν τῷ διπλῷ σπηλαίῳ renders Hebrew בַּמַּכְפֵּלָה ('in Machpelah'); the LXX's consistent translation of the place-name as τὸ διπλοῦν / τὸ διπλοῦν σπήλαιον is applied both to the cave and now to the location of the entire field — the double cave serves as the geographical identifier for the whole plot.

ὅςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (second relative: referring to σπήλαιον or the whole site: which is opposite Mamre)→ participant referenceὅς: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (second relative: referring to σπήλαιον or the whole site: which is opposite Mamre).

ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (gnomic: permanent geographical identification)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

ἀπέναντιopposite / facingimproper preposition + genitive (geographical: opposite / facing Mamre)→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: 'opposite / facing / over against'; renders Hebrew עַל-פְּנֵי (ʿal-penê, 'at the face of / opposite'); used twice in this chapter (vv.17, 19) to locate the field/cave opposite Mamre.

ΜαμβρηMamreindeclinable proper noun, genitive object of ἀπέναντι→ participant identificationΜαμβρη: LXX transliteration of Hebrew מַמְרֵא (Mamrê); the oak grove near Hebron where Abraham had his encampment (Gen 18:1); the double identifier 'opposite Mamre' + 'this is Hebron in the land of Canaan' (v.19) constitutes the legal geographical description of the property.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἀγρὸς: beginning the appositive inventory)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγρὸςfieldNominativesubject in apposition (the field — resuming and specifying the subject for the inventory)→ participant prominenceἀγρός: the conveyance deed now begins its enumeration, starting with ὁ ἀγρὸς as the first asset; the Hebrew deed formula (Gen 23:17 MT) enumerates 'the field, the cave, all the trees in the field, within all its borders' — the LXX reproduces this sequence exactly.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (listing the cave as the second asset)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸtheNominativearticle (with σπήλαιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπήλαιονcaveNominativesubject in apposition (second asset: the cave)→ participant prominenceσπήλαιον: meaning 'cave'; it serves as subject in apposition (second asset: the cave).

ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (neuter, referring to σπήλαιον: the cave which was in it = in the field)→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (neuter, referring to σπήλαιον: the cave which was in it = in the field).

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula in relative clause→ progressive imperfectεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.

αὐτῷhis / in itDativedative of possession (the cave which was Ephron's / which was in the field)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession (the cave which was Ephron's / which was in the field).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding every tree as the third asset)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πᾶνeveryNominativeuniversal quantifier (every tree: third and fourth assets combined)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; the universal quantifier covers all trees without exception — the deed must account for every asset on the property; trees were significant agricultural assets in ancient Near Eastern conveyances.

δένδρονtreeNominativesubject in apposition (third category of assets: all trees)→ participant prominenceδένδρον: 'tree'; renders Hebrew עֵץ (ʿēṣ, 'tree / wood'); in ancient Near Eastern deeds, trees were enumerated separately because of their agricultural value (olives, figs, etc.); the two relative clauses that follow specify trees in the field and at the borders.

ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (neuter sg, referring to πᾶν δένδρον distributively)→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (neuter sg, referring to πᾶν δένδρον distributively).

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula in relative clause→ progressive imperfectεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the field)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the field).

τῷtheDativearticle (with ἀγρῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγρῷfieldDativedative of place (trees in the field)→ sphere or referenceἀγρῷ: meaning 'field'; it serves as dative of place (trees in the field).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding trees at the borders as the fourth category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (second relative on δένδρον: trees within the borders)→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (second relative on δένδρον: trees within the borders).

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula in relative clause→ progressive imperfectεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.

ἐνwithinpreposition + dative (locative: within the borders)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'within'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: within the borders).

τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ὁρίοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὁρίοιςborders / boundariesDativedative of place (within its borders — the perimeter of the property)→ sphere or referenceὅριον: 'border / boundary / territory'; renders Hebrew גְּבוּל (gebûl, 'border / boundary'); the phrase ἐν τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτοῦ κύκλῳ ('within its borders all around') is the standard ancient Near Eastern deed formula for describing the outer limit of a conveyance — everything within the circumference passes to the buyer.

αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (its borders = the field's borders)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (its borders = the field's borders).

κύκλῳall aroundDativeadverbial dative (round about / in a circle: the complete circumference)→ sphere or referenceκύκλος: 'circle'; the adverbial dative κύκλῳ ('all around / in a circle') is the deed's completeness formula — everything within the circumference of the property; renders Hebrew סָבִיב (sābîb, 'round about / all around').

τῷ Αβρααμ εἰς κτῆσιν ἐναντίον τῶν υἱῶν Χετ καὶ πάντων τῶν εἰσπορευομένων εἰς τὴν πόλιν.

was confirmed to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth and all those entering the city.

Continuation of v.17: the beneficiary and the witnessesasyndeton

This verse completes the long sentence begun in v.17: the subject (the field, cave, trees) was confirmed to Abraham (τῷ Αβρααμ = dative of advantage / beneficiary) as a κτῆσις ('possession') before the named witnesses. The witness formula ἐναντίον τῶν υἱῶν Χετ καὶ πάντων τῶν εἰσπορευομένων repeats v.10's phrasing, closing the legal proceedings with the same audience that opened them.

Word-by-word analysis· 15 words

τῷtoDativearticle (dative with Αβρααμ: the beneficiary of the ratification)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, dative of advantage (the property is confirmed to him)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative of advantage (the property is confirmed to him).

εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: as a possession)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: as a possession).

κτῆσινpossession / propertyAccusativeaccusative of purpose (εἰς κτῆσιν: as a legal possession / property title)→ object specificationκτῆσις: the chapter's key legal term, here for the third of four occurrences (cf. vv.4, 9, 18, 20); each use of κτῆσιν confirms that this is a property transfer, not a loan or a temporary use-right.

ἐναντίονin the presence of / beforeimproper preposition + genitive (the witness formula)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'in the presence of'; here it marks the relation signaled by improper preposition + genitive (the witness formula).

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (before the sons of Heth — named witnesses)→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive (before the sons of Heth — named witnesses).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding the general public as witnesses)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πάντωνallGenitivegenitive (totality: all those entering the city)→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive (totality: all those entering the city).

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with εἰσπορευομένων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

εἰσπορευομένωνenteringPres Mid Ptc Gen Pl Masc · εἰσπορεύομαιarticular participle (substantival: all those who were entering the city — city-gate witnesses)→ participial qualificationεἰσπορεύομαι: the second use of this participle in the chapter (cf. v.10); the city gate was the ancient Near Eastern locus of legal proceedings and civic transactions; the 'entering' passers-by constitute a self-renewing pool of witnesses, making the deed publicly permanent.

εἰςintopreposition + accusative (into the city)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (into the city).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἔθαψεν Αβρααμ Σαρραν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ σπηλαίῳ τοῦ ἀγροῦ τοῦ διπλοῦ, ὅ ἐστιν ἀπέναντι Μαμβρη· αὕτη ἐστὶν Χεβρων ἐν τῇ γῇ Χανααν.

After these things Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the double field, which is opposite Mamre — this is Hebron in the land of Canaan.

Temporal transition: the burial enactedμετὰ δὲ ταῦτα

The temporal formula μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ('after these things') marks the transition from legal proceedings to the actual burial — the goal the whole chapter was building toward. The act of burial is stated in a single verb ἔθαψεν, and Sarah is identified in full: Σαρραν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ ('Sarah his wife'). The closing geographical note — 'this is Hebron in the land of Canaan' — repeats v.2's identification, giving the chapter a formal narrative frame.

Word-by-word analysis· 27 words

μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: after these things)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: after these things).

δὲnowcontinuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative object of μετά (the legal proceedings just concluded)→ object specificationταῦτα: 'these things'; μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα is the standard LXX temporal transition formula between narrative units; here it separates the legal transaction (vv.3–18) from its purpose (the burial); the phrase will recur as a transition at major narrative junctures throughout Genesis.

ἔθαψενburiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (the burial: the chapter's goal is achieved)→ constative aorist (single completed act)θάπτω: 'bury'; the verb that has echoed through the chapter as request (v.4 θάψω), invitation (vv.6, 11 θάψον), promise (v.13 θάψω), and commercial necessity is now realized: ἔθαψεν. The transaction existed for this moment.

ΣαρρανSarahAccusativedirect object (the one who is buried)→ object specificationΣαρρα: the chapter began with Sarah's age and death (vv.1–2) and closes with her burial — the whole narrative is her funeral: legally transacted, solemnly witnessed, and lovingly completed.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γυναῖκα: appositive to Σαρραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γυναῖκαwifeAccusativeaccusative in apposition (Sarah his wife — full identification at the burial)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the full identification τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ ('his wife') at the burial gives Sarah her relational title — she is buried not merely as a dead person but as Abraham's wife, with all the honor that entails.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his wife)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (his wife).

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the cave)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the cave).

τῷtheDativearticle (with σπηλαίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπηλαίῳcaveDativedative of place (the specific cave purchased for burial)→ sphere or referenceσπηλαίῳ: meaning 'cave'; it serves as dative of place (the specific cave purchased for burial).

τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with ἀγροῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγροῦfieldGenitivegenitive of location (the cave of the field: the cave located in / belonging to the field)→ relational specificationἀγροῦ: meaning 'field'; it serves as genitive of location (the cave of the field: the cave located in / belonging to the field).

τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with διπλοῦ: the double field)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

διπλοῦdoubleGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ἀγροῦ: the cave of the double field)→ relational specificationδιπλοῦς: here the LXX transfers the 'double' descriptor to ἀγρός (field) rather than σπήλαιον (cave) as in vv.9, 17 — 'the cave of the double field' = the cave of the Machpelah field; both uses translate the Hebrew's single place-name מַּכְפֵּלָה consistently as 'the double.'

ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (neuter, referring to σπήλαιον: which is opposite Mamre)→ participant referenceὅ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (neuter, referring to σπήλαιον: which is opposite Mamre).

ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (gnomic: permanent geographical identification)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

ἀπέναντιopposite / facingimproper preposition + genitive (geographical marker: opposite Mamre)→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: meaning 'opposite'; here it marks the relation signaled by improper preposition + genitive (geographical marker: opposite Mamre).

ΜαμβρηMamreindeclinable proper noun, genitive object of ἀπέναντι→ participant identificationΜαμβρη: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive object of ἀπέναντι.

αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject (of the geographical gloss: this = Hebron)→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject (of the geographical gloss: this = Hebron).

ΧεβρωνHebronindeclinable proper noun (predicate: the city's name)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: the geographical gloss αὕτη ἐστὶν Χεβρων ἐν τῇ γῇ Χανααν repeats verbatim the gloss of v.2, framing the whole chapter — it begins with Sarah's death at Hebron and ends with her burial at Hebron; the land-of-Canaan frame reminds the reader that even in death the patriarchs sojourn as aliens in the promised land.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

τῇtheDativearticle (with γῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῇlandDativedative of place (in the land of Canaan)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place (in the land of Canaan).

ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (land of Canaan)→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (land of Canaan).

καὶ ἐκυρώθη ὁ ἀγρὸς καὶ τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ Αβρααμ εἰς κτῆσιν τάφου παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Χετ.

And the field and the cave in it were confirmed to Abraham as a possession for burial from the sons of Heth.

Legal summary / closing sealκαὶ

The chapter's final verse is a tight legal summary and closure: ἐκυρώθη recurs from v.17, giving the chapter its legal bracket; the two assets (field and cave) are named together; and the formula εἰς κτῆσιν τάφου παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Χετ ('as a possession for burial from the sons of Heth') closes the narrative with the legal-title confirmation. παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Χετ ('from the sons of Heth') identifies the source of the title — the grant runs FROM the Hittites TO Abraham, completed and binding. NT resonance: Acts 7:16 alludes to this purchase in Stephen's speech, confirming that the early church read Gen 23 as the foundational land-title of the patriarchal burial ground.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential / summarizing)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκυρώθηwas confirmed / ratifiedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κυρόωmain verb (closing ratification: the legal bracket of the chapter)→ constative aorist passive (single completed legal act)κυρόω: the second ἐκυρώθη in the chapter (cf. v.17) closes the legal proceedings with the same ratification formula with which they were formally sealed; the bracketing of the chapter's transaction by two ἐκυρώθη forms (vv.17, 20) is the LXX's way of giving the conveyance the legal finality of a stamped deed.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἀγρὸς: first asset)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγρὸςfieldNominativesubject (co-subject with τὸ σπήλαιον: both assets confirmed)→ participant prominenceἀγρὸς: meaning 'field'; it serves as subject (co-subject with τὸ σπήλαιον: both assets confirmed).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (the field and the cave together)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸtheNominativearticle (with σπήλαιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπήλαιονcaveNominativesubject (co-subject: cave confirmed together with the field)→ participant prominenceσπήλαιον: the final occurrence of the chapter's central word — the cave is the object of desire from v.4 through v.20; field and cave together constitute the complete κτῆσις.

τὸtheNominativearticle with adjectival prepositional phrase (τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ = the cave which is in it)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

αὐτῷitDativedative object of ἐν (the cave in the field = in it)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (the cave in the field = in it).

τῷtoDativearticle (dative with Αβρααμ: the beneficiary of the ratification)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, dative of advantage (confirmed to Abraham)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: the name that opens the chapter's action (v.2 ἦλθεν … Αβρααμ) is also the legal beneficiary of the final ratification — the chapter is bracketed by Abraham's arrival and Abraham's title.

εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: as a possession for burial)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: as a possession for burial).

κτῆσινpossessionAccusativeaccusative of purpose (the legal title: as a possession)→ object specificationκτῆσις: the chapter's legal term for the fourth and final time (cf. vv.4, 9, 18, 20); εἰς κτῆσιν τάφου exactly mirrors the request of v.4 (κτῆσιν τάφου) — the chapter closes by fulfilling its opening petition word for word.

τάφουof burialGenitivegenitive of purpose (a possession for burial: the tomb-title)→ relational specificationτάφος: 'burial / tomb'; the same phrase κτῆσιν τάφου that Abraham requested in v.4 is now confirmed in v.20 — the legal title matches the original petition, completing the narrative ring; the cave will remain the patriarchal burial site through Genesis (cf. 25:9; 49:29–32; 50:13).

παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source: the title comes from the sons of Heth)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + genitive: 'from / proceeding from'; the legal sense here is 'from the hand of / granted by'; the title runs FROM the Hittites TO Abraham — a complete and legally binding transfer; the phrase identifies the Hittites as the legal grantors.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (from the sons of Heth — the legal grantors)→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the phrase παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Χετ ('from the sons of Heth') closes the chapter by naming the grantors; the formula οἱ υἱοὶ Χετ has appeared seven times in the chapter as the witness-chorus; their final appearance here is as the source of Abraham's legal title.

ΧετHethindeclinable proper noun, genitive of origin (the sons of Heth: the Hittite community)→ participant identificationΧετ: final occurrence of the chapter's seven-fold refrain οἱ υἱοὶ Χετ; the sons of Heth who opened as witnesses (v.3) close as legal grantors (v.20), their testimony bookending the entire transaction.

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 23ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ ΚΓ′

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