Ephron

Ephron the Hittite sold the cave of Machpelah to Abraham as a burial site for Sarah.

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.

The son of Zohar a Hittite, the owner of the field and cave of Machpelah (q.v.), which Abraham bought for 400 shekels of silver (Gen. 23:8-17; 25:9; 49:29, 30).