Interesting Facts

• Achiram is identified as the father of Abdon.
• His son, Abdon, was one of the four witnesses to the written and attested transaction where Abraham purchased the field and cave of Machpelah from Ephron.
• His son, Abdon, is identified as a Gomerite.

Genealogy

• Achiram was the father of Abdon the Gomerite.
• No other genealogical details concerning Achiram, such as his ancestry, birth, marital ties, or other offspring, are present in the provided source.

Historical Context

The mention of Achiram’s son, Abdon, as a witness occurs within the significant historical event of Abraham’s acquisition of a burial site for Sarah in the region of Hebron, also known as Kirjath Arba. This transaction with Ephron the Hittite was conducted formally and required the attestation of witnesses, signifying the importance of communal validation in property agreements during that era. Abdon, the son of Achiram the Gomerite, served as one of these witnesses alongside individuals identified as Hittite, Hivite, and Zidonite. This diverse group of witnesses suggests the multi-ethnic nature of the population inhabiting the land of Canaan during Abraham’s time and highlights the integration of various groups within the social and legal structures concerning land ownership. Achiram’s connection to a Gomerite witness thus situates him and his lineage within this broader historical tapestry of inter-community relations and documented legal practices.

Narrative

Achiram himself does not directly participate in the narrative of Abraham’s purchase of the burial ground. His significance in the account is solely through the identification of his son, Abdon, as one of the four named witnesses to the written and attested agreement between Abraham and Ephron. The inclusion of Abdon, son of Achiram the Gomerite, as a witness implies that Achiram’s family, or at least his son, held a recognized position or standing within the local community, lending credibility to Abdon’s role in validating this important transaction. While the source provides no direct actions or dialogues involving Achiram, his lineage is noted in the context of a pivotal event that secured a permanent burial place for Abraham’s posterity. Therefore, Achiram’s indirect contribution to the narrative lies in his familial connection to Abdon, whose witnessing helped to formalize Abraham’s right to the cave of Machpelah, a site of enduring importance in the subsequent history of Abraham’s descendants in Canaan.