Interesting Facts

• Ephron is identified as a Hittite who dwelt among the children of Heth.
• Abraham specifically sought to purchase the cave of Machpelah, located at the end of Ephron’s field.
• Initially, Ephron offered the field and the cave to Abraham as a gift, stating, “Behold the field and the cave are before thee, give whatever thou desirest”.
• Ephron later specified the price of the land as four hundred shekels of silver.
• The transaction between Abraham and Ephron was witnessed by Ephron’s brethren and was formally written and attested with four witnesses.

Genealogy

• Ephron was the son of Zochar.
• He dwelt among the children of Heth.
• The sources do not explicitly mention Ephron’s mother, siblings (beyond his brethren who witnessed the transaction), marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

The narrative involving Ephron unfolds in the land of Canaan, specifically in the region of Hebron (also known as Kirjath Arba), following the death of Sarah. Abraham, identifying himself as a “stranger and a sojourner,” sought to acquire a permanent burial place. The social and cultural norms of the time necessitated negotiation with the local inhabitants, the children of Heth, for land ownership, even for funerary purposes. The transaction was conducted publicly, “in the audience of the sons of Heth”, emphasizing the importance of community acknowledgment and legal validation of property transfer. The agreed-upon price of four hundred shekels of silver and the use of “current money with the merchant” reflect the established economic practices and the value of land during this period. The mention of Hittites as inhabitants of the land aligns with the broader understanding of the diverse populations residing in Canaan in ancient times.

Narrative

Ephron plays a pivotal role in Abraham’s quest to secure a burial place for his wife Sarah. When Abraham requests the cave of Machpelah, which was situated at the end of Ephron’s field, the children of Heth called for Ephron. Upon appearing before Abraham, Ephron initially displayed a seemingly generous gesture by offering the field and the cave as a gift. However, Abraham insisted on purchasing it for its full value to ensure it would be a permanent possession and a burial place forever. Subsequently, Ephron proposed a price of four hundred shekels of silver for the land. This shift from offering a gift to demanding a substantial sum might suggest a nuanced understanding of social expectations or perhaps a strategic negotiation tactic. Abraham, acknowledging the stipulated price, weighed out the silver to Ephron in the presence of his brethren, and the transaction was formally documented and witnessed. This interaction highlights the importance of legal and communal validation in property acquisitions. Ephron’s willingness to engage in this transaction and the formal manner in which it was concluded ensured that Abraham’s family would have a designated burial site in the promised land, a significant step in establishing their presence and inheritance in Canaan. Ephron’s actions, while seemingly contradictory in his initial offer and later demand for payment, ultimately facilitated Abraham’s wishes and solidified the legal ownership of the cave of Machpelah.