Boy Old Testament Known
Ephron
dust
עֶפְרוֹן eph.ron
Ephron (Hebrew: עֶפְרוֹן, eph.ron) means “dust”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 10 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In 2022 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Appears with Abraham in Genesis 23.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Ephron
son of Zohar
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 10 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2022 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2022 | 5 | Steady |
| All-time total | 10 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 5 in 1996 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 23:8 |
| Last appears | Genesis 50:13 |
| Cross-references | 127 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Zohar co-occurrence Appears with Zohar in Genesis 23.
- Heth co-occurrence Appears with Heth in Genesis 23.
- Abraham co-occurrence Appears with Abraham in Genesis 23.
- Letushim co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Letushim.
- Leummim co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Leummim.
- Asshur co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Asshur.
- Asshurim co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Asshurim.
- Shiloh co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Shiloh.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.23.8;
son of: Zohar (H6714)
§ Ephron = "fawn-like"
a Hittite, son of Zohar and the one from whom Abraham bought the field and cave of Machpelah
Ephron the Hittite sold the cave of Machpelah to Abraham as a burial site for Sarah.
The biblical story
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.
Key verses
Ephron appears in 10 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
Genesis 23:8 -
And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
Genesis 23:10 -
And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
Genesis 23:13 -
And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
Genesis 23:14 -
And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
Genesis 23:16
Show all 10 references
Genesis (10)
- Genesis 23:8
- Genesis 23:10
- Genesis 23:13
- Genesis 23:14
- Genesis 23:16
- Genesis 23:17
- Genesis 25:9
- Genesis 49:29
- Genesis 49:30
- Genesis 50:13