Genesis 23:6
Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.
Genesis 23:6
The leaders of Heth affirm Abraham’s standing: “Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us.” They acknowledge his honor and position, which in turn signals that hospitality to his request is culturally appropriate. Their invitation to bury in the choicest of their sepulchers underscores the value placed on memorial space and honor in death as in life. The language reflects the social economy of a city that interweaves authority, respect, and kinship with property rights.
This verse reinforces the dignity of God’s servants in a non-Israelite context. It highlights that God’s plans for Abraham are recognized and respected by others, pointing to the broader movement of blessing through blessed individuals. It also underlines the spiritual truth that communal generosity becomes a channel through which God’s people participate in mission in the world.
- Value the dignity and honor due to others, regardless of background, as you engage in meaningful negotiations.
- See acts of hospitality and generosity as opportunities to model faith in everyday interactions.
Cross-References: Leviticus 25:47-54; Deuteronomy 32:8-9; Romans 12:13