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Genesis 23:11 - Generous land for sacred burial.

Genesis 23:11 - בראשית 23:11

Hebrew Text

לֹא־אֲדֹנִי שְׁמָעֵנִי הַשָּׂדֶה נָתַתִּי לָךְ וְהַמְּעָרָה אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ לְךָ נְתַתִּיהָ לְעֵינֵי בְנֵי־עַמִּי נְתַתִּיהָ לָּךְ קְבֹר מֵתֶךָ׃

English Translation

No, my lord, hear me: the field I give thee, and the cave that is in it, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people I give it thee: bury thy dead.

Transliteration

Lo-adoni shma'eni hasadeh natati lach vehame'arah asher-bo lecha netatiha le'enei bnei-ami netatiha lach kvor metecha.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹֽא־אֲדֹנִ֣י שְׁמָעֵ֔נִי הַשָּׂדֶה֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לָ֔ךְ וְהַמְּעָרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־בּ֖וֹ לְךָ֣ נְתַתִּ֑יהָ לְעֵינֵ֧י בְנֵי־עַמִּ֛י נְתַתִּ֥יהָ לָּ֖ךְ קְבֹ֥ר מֵתֶֽךָ׃
לֹֽא־אֲדֹנִ֣י שְׁמָעֵ֔נִי הַשָּׂדֶה֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לָ֔ךְ וְהַמְּעָרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־בּ֖וֹ לְךָ֣ נְתַתִּ֑יהָ לְעֵינֵ֧י בְנֵי־עַמִּ֛י נְתַתִּ֥יהָ לָּ֖ךְ קְבֹ֥ר מֵתֶֽךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Genesis 23:11) is part of the narrative in which Avraham Avinu seeks to purchase a burial plot for Sarah Imenu from Ephron the Hittite. The exchange takes place in Chevron, and Ephron initially offers the field and cave of Machpelah as a gift. Avraham, however, insists on paying full price to establish clear ownership.

Ephron's Offer and Its Implications

Rashi explains that Ephron's words, "the field I give thee," were insincere. Though he presented himself as generous, he expected payment, as evidenced by Avraham's insistence on purchasing it (Rashi on Genesis 23:11). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 58:7) further notes that Ephron was a dishonest man who sought to appear righteous in public ("in the presence of the sons of my people") while harboring greed.

Avraham's Response and Legal Precision

Avraham's refusal to accept the land as a gift demonstrates his commitment to avoiding any future disputes over ownership. The Ramban (Nachmanides on Genesis 23:11) highlights that Avraham wanted the transaction to be legally binding and public to prevent Ephron or his descendants from later reclaiming the land. This aligns with halachic principles of clear acquisition (kinyan) in Jewish law (Choshen Mishpat 190).

The Significance of Machpelah

  • The cave of Machpelah became the burial site for the Avot and Imahot (Patriarchs and Matriarchs), making it one of Judaism's holiest sites (Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 36).
  • The Talmud (Eruvin 53a) teaches that Chevron was chosen because it was part of Eretz Yisrael's spiritual "gateway," linking it to the future Temple in Jerusalem.
  • The Zohar (1:127b) describes Machpelah as the entrance to Gan Eden, emphasizing its sacred nature.

Lessons in Business Ethics

The Sforno notes that Avraham's insistence on paying full price teaches the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety in financial dealings. This aligns with the Torah's emphasis on honest business practices (Vayikra 25:14). The Kli Yakar adds that Ephron's public posturing serves as a warning against hypocrisy in interpersonal conduct.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 10a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the character of Ephron and the transaction for the Cave of Machpelah, illustrating the nature of his generosity and the public nature of the transaction.
📖 Sanhedrin 111a
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the righteous deeds of the patriarchs, particularly Abraham's acquisition of the burial site for Sarah, emphasizing the significance of the transaction being witnessed by the people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Genesis 23:11?
A: In Genesis 23:11, Ephron the Hittite is speaking to Abraham, offering him the field and the cave of Machpelah as a gift to bury his wife Sarah. However, Abraham insists on paying for it, showing respect and avoiding any sense of obligation.
Q: Why did Abraham want to buy the cave instead of accepting it as a gift?
A: Abraham wanted to buy the cave (Machpelah) to ensure full ownership according to Jewish law (kinyan). As Rashi explains, accepting it as a gift might have left room for future disputes. Paying for it established a clear legal transaction, as seen later in Jewish property laws.
Q: Why is the Cave of Machpelah important in Judaism?
A: The Cave of Machpelah is significant because it became the burial place of our forefathers and foremothers—Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah. The Midrash teaches that Adam and Eve were also buried there, making it a sacred site connected to the origins of humanity and the Jewish people.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Abraham's negotiation for the cave?
A: Abraham teaches us the importance of honesty and fairness in business dealings. Even though Ephron offered the land for free, Abraham insisted on paying full price (as the verse continues). The Talmud (Bava Metzia 87a) highlights this as a model for ethical conduct in financial matters.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish burial customs today?
A: This verse establishes the Jewish value of honoring the dead with a proper burial (kavod ha-met). Just as Abraham ensured a dignified resting place for Sarah, Jewish law (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah) requires careful treatment of the deceased, including acquiring burial plots through proper legal means.