Ephron
עֶפְרוֹן/EE-fron/
“Fawn-like”
Summary
A Hittite from whom Abraham purchased the field and cave of Machpelah as a burial place for Sarah, conducted in the customary oriental manner of bargaining.
☩Sale of Machpelah
Ephron the son of Zohar was a Hittite who owned a field facing Mamre (near Hebron) containing a cave. When Sarah died, Abraham sought to purchase this cave as a burial place. The transaction was conducted in true oriental fashion, with Ephron first offering to give the field as a gift, then Abraham insisting on paying, and finally Ephron naming the large sum of 400 shekels of silver. The purchase was made publicly at the city gate with the Hittites as witnesses. This became the burial place not only for Sarah, but also for Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob.
Key verses:Genesis 23:8-17Genesis 25:9Genesis 49:29-30Genesis 50:13
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ephron," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ephron," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).