Definition: And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou [wilt give it], I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take [it] of me, and I will bury my dead there.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 23:13. It’s a really important passage in the Bible that speaks about God’s provision for Joseph. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is offering Joseph a deal – he can take the land and its crops, but in return, he needs to use the land and its crops for a specific purpose. He wants to bury his dead there. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And he spake unto Ephron…” – This means God is speaking to Joseph. “…in the audience of the people of the land…” - Joseph is in a place where many people are watching him. “saying, But if thou [wilt give it], I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take [it] of me, and I will bury my dead there.” – This is the core of the verse. God is asking Joseph to give him the land’s harvest (the crops) in exchange for a specific thing: money. However, he wants to use that money to bury his dead. What does it mean? This verse illustrates a few important themes: Divine Provision: God is providing for Joseph's needs – offering him a way to survive. God’s Perspective: It shows that God has a plan and understands the importance of the land, even when he wants to use it in a specific way. Importance of Sacrifice: It highlights the idea that sometimes, things need to be given up or sacrificed for something larger – like honoring God and providing for those who are dead. In short, Joseph is being asked to make a sacrifice – giving up a portion of his wealth – in exchange for God’s favor and the opportunity to care for his deceased loved ones. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the story of Genesis 23?