The Hittites, an ancient people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, were one of the many Canaanite tribes inhabiting the land promised to the descendants of Abraham. They are often depicted as a significant group within the broader narrative of Israel's history. Among the notable Hittites mentioned in the Bible is Ephron, a key figure in the patriarchal narratives.

Ephron the Hittite

Ephron the Hittite is prominently featured in the account of Abraham's acquisition of a burial site for his wife, Sarah. This narrative is found in Genesis 23, where Ephron is described as a landowner in the region of Hebron, specifically in the area of Machpelah. The interaction between Abraham and Ephron is a significant example of ancient Near Eastern customs regarding land transactions and negotiations.

When Sarah died, Abraham sought to purchase a burial site to lay her to rest. He approached the Hittites, acknowledging their presence and influence in the land. The Hittites, recognizing Abraham as a "mighty prince" among them, offered him the choice of their tombs. However, Abraham insisted on purchasing a specific piece of land, the cave of Machpelah, owned by Ephron.

Ephron's response to Abraham's request is recorded in Genesis 23:10-11 : "Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth. And Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the presence of all the sons of Heth who had come to the gate of his city, 'No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.'"

Despite Ephron's initial offer to give the land freely, Abraham insisted on paying the full price. This negotiation reflects the cultural norms of the time, where such offers were often part of a customary bargaining process. Ephron eventually named a price of four hundred shekels of silver, which Abraham accepted and paid in the presence of witnesses, ensuring the transaction was legally binding.

The purchase of the cave of Machpelah is significant for several reasons. It became the first piece of the Promised Land owned by Abraham and his descendants, serving as a family burial site for the patriarchs and matriarchs of Israel, including Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob. The transaction with Ephron underscores the importance of legal ownership and the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding the land.

Ephron's role in this narrative highlights the interactions between the Israelites and the indigenous Canaanite populations, illustrating the complexities of land ownership and the fulfillment of divine promises. The account of Ephron the Hittite serves as a testament to the faith and perseverance of Abraham in securing a lasting heritage for his descendants.Genesis 49:30
In the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite for a possession of a burial plot.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Chapter xxiii
... limiting it to those of the Hittites "who were ... was being disposed of, these persons
constituted a ... report under this head, that this remarkable liberality was ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiii.htm

Chapter xxv
... Since Nabataean names of persons, or Sabaean like these ... Mamre, the field which Abraham
bought from the Hittites. ... in behalf of." It is remarkable, indeed, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... by piously augmenting their revenues, and throughout his reign displayed remarkable
energy ... the city of Bagdad, and in which fifteen thousand persons lost their ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Who were the Hittites? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Perizzites in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why was a burial place so important in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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