John Gill Commentary Genesis 23:13

"And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt, I pray thee, hear me. I will give the price of the field. Take it of me, and I will bury my dead there." — Genesis 23:13 (ASV)

And he spoke unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the
land

He addressed himself to Ephron who spoke last, with an audible voice, so that all could hear him: saying, but if you [will give it], I pray you, hear me ;

the words are very concise, and in the original text are only "if you", and differently supplied; by some, "if you are he" ^F3 , Ephron, whom it is supposed Abraham knew not by face, or that he was present; which is not likely, since Abraham had lived in those parts now so as to be well known himself, and must know his neighbours; and had lived formerly here, and could not but know so great a prince as Ephron, whose city he dwelt in. The Targum of Jonathan is,

``if you are willing to do me a kindness, hear me;''

it will be taken as a favour to admit me to speak once more, and to grant what shall be desired. Others read the words thus, ``if you will hear me, or I pray you hear me, or if you, if (I say) you will hear me ^F4 :''

then follows his proposal, I will give you the money for the field ;

Abraham did not choose to receive it as a free gift, but to make a purchase of it, that it might be sure to him and his posterity; for though Ephron was now in this generous mood, he might change his mind, or hereafter upbraid Abraham with it, should he fall out with him, or his posterity might claim it again, and dispute his right to it: take [it] of me :

the purchase money, the full worth of the field: and I will bury my dead there ,

or "then will I bury" ^F5 ; and not before.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F3: (hta Ma) "si tu is es", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Ainsworth.
• F4: "Auscultares", so Tigurine version; "si tu", Schmidt.
• F5: (hrbqaz) "et tum sepeliam", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "tunc", Schmidt.