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 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the people are addressing a mighty prince, recognizing his stature among them. They are asking for his help in burying their dead by providing him with a choice of their sepulchers. This gesture shows a great deal of respect and honor for the prince, as the people are willing to give up their own burial spots to accommodate his needs. The phrase "none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre" signifies a sense of unity and selflessness among the community. By offering their sepulchers, the people are also demonstrating their belief in the importance of honoring the dead and fulfilling the duty of providing a proper burial. This verse highlights the cultural values of respect, generosity, and communal solidarity within the society in which it was spoken.
Theological Overview
In this passage from the book of Genesis, the verse speaks to the concept of hospitality and respect for the dead. The phrase "in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead" emphasizes the importance of providing a final resting place for the deceased, showing care and honor even to those who are no longer living. The offer to let the recipient bury their dead in any of their sepulchres signifies a deep level of hospitality and consideration for the customs and traditions surrounding death. This act of generosity and willingness to share burial space with others reflects a sense of unity and community among the people in the story. The theological interpretation of this verse can be seen as highlighting the importance of honoring the dead and showing kindness and compassion towards those who are grieving. It also serves as a reminder of the significance of respecting the customs and traditions related to death and burial practices.
Genesis 23:6 in other translations
American Standard Version
Hear us, my lord; thou art a prince of God 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.
World English Bible
“Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb. Bury your dead.”
Douay-Rheims
My lord, hear us, thou art a prince of God among us: bury thy dead in our principal sepulchres: and no man shall have power to hinder thee from burying thy dead in his sepulchre.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Heare vs, my lorde: thou art a prince of God among vs: in the chiefest of our sepulchres bury thy dead: none of vs shall forbid thee his sepulchre, but thou mayest bury thy dead therein.