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Genesis 23:5

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 23:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
Genesis 23:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan. And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
3And Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spake unto the children of Heth, saying,
4I am a stranger and a sojourner with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
5And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him,
6Hear us, my lord. Thou art a prince of God among us. In the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead. None of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
7And Abraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
8And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
← Genesis 23:4Genesis 23:6 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the children of Heth answered Abraham, etc.] In a very civil and respectful manner: saying unto him, as follows:”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:5-6 my lord, you are an honored prince: Either Abraham was highly regarded by these people, or they were politely appealing to his generosity. • Choose the finest. . . . No one here will refuse: They were willing to accommodate his request, especially if they could legally obligate him to themselves (23:11).”
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Related study paths

Read Genesis 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification