Topical Encyclopedia
Ephron is a significant figure in the Old Testament, primarily known for his interaction with Abraham in the book of Genesis. He was a Hittite, a member of the people who inhabited the region of Canaan during the time of the patriarchs. Ephron's most notable role is in the narrative concerning the purchase of the cave of Machpelah, which became the burial site for several key figures in the biblical narrative.
Biblical AccountThe account of Ephron is found in
Genesis 23. After the death of Sarah, Abraham's wife, Abraham sought a burial place for her. He approached the Hittites, expressing his desire to purchase a piece of land to serve as a family burial site. Ephron, who owned the field of Machpelah, was present among the Hittites at the city gate, where such transactions were customarily conducted.
Ephron initially offered the cave to Abraham as a gift, saying, "No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the sons of my people, I give it to you. Bury your dead" (
Genesis 23:11). However, Abraham insisted on paying for the land, demonstrating his integrity and desire for a legitimate transaction. Ephron then proposed a price of four hundred shekels of silver, which Abraham accepted without negotiation, ensuring the purchase was conducted with full transparency and fairness.
Cultural and Historical ContextThe interaction between Abraham and Ephron reflects the customs and legal practices of the time. The negotiation at the city gate, a place of legal and commercial transactions, underscores the importance of public witness in property dealings. Ephron's initial offer to give the land as a gift may have been a customary gesture of hospitality, but the subsequent agreement on a price highlights the mutual respect and understanding between the two parties.
The amount of four hundred shekels of silver was a significant sum, indicating the value of the property and the importance Abraham placed on securing a permanent burial site for his family. This transaction is one of the earliest recorded instances of land purchase in the Bible, emphasizing the theme of God's promise to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan.
Significance in Biblical NarrativeThe purchase of the cave of Machpelah is a pivotal moment in the Genesis narrative. It marks the first piece of the Promised Land that Abraham and his descendants legally owned, serving as a tangible sign of God's covenant with Abraham. The cave later became the burial site for other patriarchs and matriarchs, including Abraham himself, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah, as noted in
Genesis 49:29-32 and
Genesis 50:13.
Ephron's role in this transaction highlights the interactions between the patriarchs and the inhabitants of Canaan, illustrating themes of faith, integrity, and the fulfillment of divine promises. The account of Ephron and the cave of Machpelah continues to hold theological significance, symbolizing the enduring connection between the patriarchs and the land promised by God.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ephrondust
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Ephron(fawn-like), the son of Zochar, a Hittite, from whom Abraham bought the field and cave of Machpelah. (Genesis 23:8-17;25:9;49:29,30;50:13) (B.C. 1860.)
ATS Bible Dictionary
EphronA Hittite, dwelling at Hebron in the time of Abraham,Genesis 23:1 20. The charming account of his transaction with Abraham, and the frequent subsequent mention of his name, point him out as a prince in the land.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Fawn-like.
(1.) The son of Zohar a Hittite, the owner of the field and cave of Machpelah (q.v.), which Abraham bought for 400 shekels of silver (Genesis 23:8-17;25:9;49:29, 30).
(2.) A mountain range which formed one of the landmarks on the north boundary of the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:9), probably the range on the west side of the Wady Beit-Hanina.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EPHRON (1)e'-fron ('ephron, "fawnlike"):
The Hittite of whom Abraham bought the field and cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:8;Genesis 25:9;Genesis 49:30). The transaction was conducted in true oriental fashion, with excessive courtesy; but the large sum of 400 shekels' weight of silver was in the end required (compare 33:19;1 Kings 16:24).
See alsoMONEY;MONEY, CURRENT.
EPHRON (2)
e'-fron (`ephron; Ephron):
(1)2 Chronicles 13:19: "And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Beth-el with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephron with the towns thereof." Another reading is "Ephraim" (Revised Version, margin). This is thought by many to be identical with Ophrah (`ophrah,Joshua 18:23) and perhaps with Ephraim (`ephrayim,2 Samuel 13:23) which both have been localized at the lofty town of eT Taiyibeh.
(2) A city East of the Jordan between Carnion (Ashteroth-karnain) and Scythopolis (Beisan): "Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites that were in the country.. Now when they came unto Ephron (this was a great city in the way as they should go, very well fortified) they could not turn from it either on the right hand or on the left, but they must needs pass through the midst of it" (1 Maccabees 5:45, 46 the King James Version; Ant, XII, viii, 5; also 2 Maccabees 12:27). Buhl and Schumacher propose Kacr Wady el Ghafr, a ruined tower which completely commands the deep Wady el Ghafr, but the ruins appear to be scanty.
(3) Mt. Ephron: The border of Judah is described (Joshua 15:9): "It went out to the cities of Mount Ephron." The position will depend on that of Nephtoah and of Kiriath-jearim.
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
6085.Ephron -- a Hittite, also a mountain and a place in Isr.... 6084, 6085.
Ephron. 6086 . a Hittite, also a mountain and a place in Isr.
Transliteration:
Ephron Phonetic Spelling: (ef-rone') Short Definition:
Ephron.
...Library
Chapter xxiii
... however, apparently there is no idle courtesy or shallow, insincere flattery on
the part of Abraham at all, and on the part of the manEphron very little, if...
Whether it is Lawful to Receive Money for Things Annexed to...
... Now Abraham bought fromEphron a double cave for a burying-place (Gn.23:8, sqq.),
and Jacob bought from Esau the right of the first-born (Gn.25:31, sqq.)....
Appendix D.
... an inaccuracy in Stephen's statement: for the burying-place was not at Sychem which
Abraham bought, but at Hebron, and it was bought ofEphron the Hittite, as...
How Judas Subdued the Nations Round About; and How Simon Beat the...
... the substance that belonged to them, and was going to bring them back into Judea;
but as soon as he was come to a certain city, whose name wasEphron, that lay...
The History after the Flood.
... earth. And after him reigned Abimelech in Gerar; and after him another
Abimelech. Then reignedEphron, surnamed the Hittite. Such...
In that Flesh in which the Saints have Suffered So Many...
... him a place where he might bury her, he declined it as a gift, but bought the
burying-place (giving for it four hundred talents of silver) fromEphron the son...
Machinations of the Enemies of Jesus.
... He withdrew to an obscure town called Ephraim orEphron, in the direction of Bethel,
a short day's journey from Jerusalem.[2] He spent a few days there with...
Concerning Sarah Abraham's Wife; and How She Ended Her Days.
... her in Hebron; the Canaanites publicly allowing them a burying-place; which piece
of ground Abraham bought for four hundred shekels, ofEphron, an inhabitant...
Epistle iii. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari).
... up anew, remembering that, when Abraham demanded for a price a sepulchre for the
burial of his wife's body from the sons of Emor, that is fromEphron the son...
Chapter xxv
... And his sons, Isaac and Ishmael, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field
ofEphron, the son of Zohar, the Hittite, which was over against Mamre, the...
Thesaurus
Ephron (13 Occurrences)...EPHRON (1). e'-fron ('
ephron, "fawnlike"): The Hittite of whom Abraham bought the
field and cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23:8; Genesis 25:9; Genesis 49:30).
...Ephron's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceEphron's (2 Occurrences). Genesis 23:16 And Abraham
hearkened untoEphron; and Abraham weighed toEphron...
Hittite (45 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:10 NowEphron was sitting in the middle of the children of Heth.
Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of...
Audience (17 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:10 AndEphron dwelt among the children of Heth: andEphron the Hittite
answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that...
Zohar (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Brightness. (1.) The father ofEphron the Hittite (Genesis
23:8). (2.) One of the sons of Simeon (Genesis 46:10; Exodus 6:15)....
Mach-pe'lah (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:17 So the field ofEphron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre,
the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in...
Buying (12 Occurrences)
... "Hear me," pleads Abraham with the children of Heth, "and entreat for me toEphron
the son of Zohar, that he may give me the cave of Machpelah....
Bury (78 Occurrences)
... Genesis 23:8 He talked with them, saying, "If it be your mind that I should bury
my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me toEphron the son of Zohar...
Heth (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS). Genesis 23:10 NowEphron was sitting in the
middle of the children of Heth.... Genesis 23:16 Abraham listened toEphron....
Hollow (35 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Genesis 23:17 SoEphron's field at Machpelah near Mamre, with the hollow
in the rock and all the trees in the field and round it, (BBE)....
Resources
What is the significance of the cave of Machpelah? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was a burial place so important in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Abijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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