What does Genesis 23:14 mean?
Middle Eastern negotiations at the time included very respectful language and generous offers that were understood to come with an unspoken price. Abraham had offered to buy Ephron's cave to use as a burial place for his people. Ephron had countered by offering to "give" Abraham the cave and the field attached to it. Abraham had countered by insisting on buying both the cave and the field, though he had no need or real interest in the field. Abraham's intent is to make this an undisputed part of his descendant's land, now and forever.Now the ball is in Ephron's court. He will respond in the following verse.
