What is the definition of Genesis 23:15? 🙋 🔍
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.
Explanation:
Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 23:15. It’s a really important and fascinating passage in the Bible!
Here’s the explanation in simple terms:
The Basic Story:
God is looking after a traveler named Joseph who has been robbed of his possessions by a Roman soldier. Joseph is traveling through Egypt, and he needs to find a place to stay. He asks the angel Gabriel to help him secure a place to live.
What’s happening in the verse?
💎
“My lord, hearken unto me…”
: God is speaking to him, acknowledging his request.
💎
“…the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver”
: This means that Joseph is asking for a large sum of money – four hundred shekels (which was a form of currency in ancient times).
💎
“What is that betwixt me and thee?”
: This is the really tricky part. It's a question about a temporary arrangement. "Betwixt" means “between.” God is asking if there’s a problem or an agreement between him and Joseph, and between Joseph and this person (the traveler).
The Meaning – It's About a Promise:
The verse essentially says:
“God has promised to give me four hundred shekels of silver. I need to be allowed to stay here, but I’m still in a position where I have to deal with this person who is also staying here. Can we make a temporary agreement for this?”
Why it's significant:
This verse highlights several important themes:
💎
God’s Favor and Promises:
It shows that God values Joseph and is willing to provide for him.
💎
Divine Intervention:
It demonstrates that God is actively involved in the lives of people, even when they are struggling.
💎
The Nature of a Promise:
The verse speaks about a promise – a commitment that must be kept.
In short, this verse describes a situation where God offers Joseph a significant reward and then asks him to establish a temporary arrangement with another person.
---
Do you want me to:
💎 Explain any part of the story in more detail?
💎 Discuss the symbolism behind this passage (like it being about trust)?