Who was Ephron in the Bible?

What does the Bible say about Ephron?

Ephron was a Hittite man who lived in the city of Hebron during the time of Abraham. He owned a field containing the cave of Machpelah, which Abraham sought to purchase as a burial place for his wife Sarah (Gen.23). When Sarah died, Abraham approached the Hittites and requested to buy a burial site. Ephron was present at the meeting and offered to give the field and the cave to Abraham as a gift (Gen.23.8-11). However, Abraham insisted on paying the full price, and Ephron named a price of 400 shekels of silver (Gen.23.14-15). Abraham agreed to the price and paid Ephron in the presence of witnesses, securing the field and the cave as a permanent possession for burial (Gen.23.16-20). The cave of Machpelah later became the burial place for Abraham himself, as well as Isaac, Rebekah, Israel (or 'Jacob'), and Leah (Gen.25.9; 49.29,30; 50.13). Ephron's interaction with Abraham demonstrates the legal and social customs of property transactions in the ancient Near East. It also highlights Abraham's desire to establish a permanent burial place for his family in the land of Canaan, foreshadowing the future possession of the land by his descendants.

Where does Ephron appear in the Bible?

Ephron is referenced in 7 verses. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

• Genesis 23:8
• Genesis 23:10
• Genesis 23:13
• Genesis 23:14
• Genesis 23:16
• Genesis 23:17
• Genesis 49:29

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Ephron.