What Does Genesis 23:14 Mean in the King James?

And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,

Genesis 23:14 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

A reply has begun, but its meaning is still hidden in the words that follow.

THE MEANING

You can receive a response before you know what it means. Here, Abraham is answered, while Ephron’s terms are still unrevealed.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

A reply does not mean the matter is settled: Ephron has answered, but his offer is still to come.

THE ROOT

עָנָה

ʿanah

GROWS FROM

ענה

to answer or respond

English can make “answered, saying” sound like a routine formula, but the Hebrew marks a response before introducing its words. The root makes this an exchange: Abraham’s voice receives Ephron’s reply, while the content remains to be heard.

ALSO GROWS

ʿanah: to answer, respond

עָנָה

This verb names the act Ephron performs toward Abraham.

maʿaneh: an answer or response

מַעֲנֶה

The related noun shows the same root can name both the act of replying and the response itself.

לֵאמֹר

leʾmor

GROWS FROM

אמר

to say, utter, or speak

The verse separates answering from saying: first the response begins, then its words are introduced. That small pause holds the outcome open until Ephron’s terms are spoken.

ALSO GROWS

ʾamar: to say or speak

אָמַר

This is the verb root behind the verse’s “saying.”

ʾimrah: an utterance or saying

אִמְרָה

This related noun presents speech as something formed into words that can be heard.

THE PATTERN

A reply begins in relationship: one voice answers another before its content is disclosed.

And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

Genesis 18:27 · KJVAbraham’s answer becomes an utterance directed to another, just as Ephron’s reply begins before its full content appears.

And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

Exodus 4:1 · KJVMoses’s response opens a spoken concern, showing how an answer gives voice to what follows.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

Mark 10:51 · KJVThe answer opens an exchange whose meaning unfolds through the words spoken next.

THE THREAD

My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

Genesis 23:15 · KJV

Verse 14 names the answering but withholds its content; verse 15 opens Ephron’s reply with his price and terms. The pause between them marks the hinge between Abraham’s request and the bargain.

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