Genesis 23:14 - Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him,

Generated Verse: Genesis 23:14

What does "Genesis 23:14" mean?


The verse "Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him," from Genesis 23:14 is a simple introductory phrase used to signal that Ephron is about to speak in response to something Abraham has said. It's a common way in the Old Testament to indicate dialogue.

Here's a breakdown:

Ephron answered Abraham: This tells us that Ephron is responding to a previous statement made by Abraham. It establishes that a conversation is taking place.
saying to him: This is a redundant phrase used for emphasis and clarity in ancient Hebrew narrative. It reinforces that Ephron is addressing Abraham directly. It's similar to saying "He said, speaking to him..."

In essence, it's just a marker in the narrative that introduces Ephron's side of the conversation. It prepares the reader for what Ephron is about to say. To understand the significance of the verse, you need to understand the context of Genesis 23, which deals with Abraham purchasing a burial place (the cave of Machpelah) from Ephron. Abraham is negotiating to buy the land from Ephron so he can bury his wife Sarah.

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