What does Genesis 23:10 mean?
In the previous verse, Abraham publicly offered, before the elders of Hebron, to buy a cave from Ephron the Hittite as a burying place for his people. Those in the group had already made clear that they would welcome Abraham burying his people in the area. In fact, they had offered to freely share their tombs with him. Abraham, however, wished to buy and own a tomb as a permanent possession.Now Ephron prepares to respond to Abraham, also in a public manner, with the understanding that whatever agreement they reach will be formally recognized by the community. The pattern of this negotiation follows the typical style of the time: politeness, counter-offers, and public confirmation.