Acts 7:16
And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετετέθησαν
were carried over
G3346
μετετέθησαν
were carried over
Strong's:
G3346
Word #:
2 of 20
to transfer, i.e., (literally) transport, (by implication) exchange, (reflexively) change sides, or (figuratively) pervert
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Συχέμ
Sychem
G4966
Συχέμ
Sychem
Strong's:
G4966
Word #:
4 of 20
sychem (i.e., shekem), the name of a canaanite and of a place in palestine
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐτέθησαν
laid
G5087
ἐτέθησαν
laid
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
6 of 20
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
τοῦ
the father
G3588
τοῦ
the father
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνήματι
the sepulchre
G3418
μνήματι
the sepulchre
Strong's:
G3418
Word #:
9 of 20
a memorial, i.e., sepulchral monument (burial-place)
ὅ
that
G3739
ὅ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τιμῆς
for a sum
G5092
τιμῆς
for a sum
Strong's:
G5092
Word #:
13 of 20
a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
ἀργυρίου
of money
G694
ἀργυρίου
of money
Strong's:
G694
Word #:
14 of 20
silvery, i.e., (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e., drachma or shekel)
παρὰ
of
G3844
παρὰ
of
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τοῦ
the father
G3588
τοῦ
the father
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῶν
the sons
G5207
υἱῶν
the sons
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
17 of 20
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Cross References
Joshua 24:32And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.Genesis 23:16And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.Exodus 13:19And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.Genesis 50:13For his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field for a possession of a buryingplace of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.
Historical Context
Shechem, in central Canaan between Mounts Gerizim and Ebal, held covenant significance as the location of Abraham's first altar in Canaan (Genesis 12:6-7) and Joshua's covenant renewal (Joshua 24). Joseph's bones were specifically buried there (Joshua 24:32). The purchased burial ground represented tangible claim to the promised land.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the patriarchs' insistence on burial in Canaan teach us about faith's confidence in God's promises?
- How does legally purchased burial ground demonstrate that God's promises include both spiritual and physical inheritance?
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Analysis & Commentary
The burial in Shechem's tomb demonstrates covenant people's connection to promised land even in death. The 'sepulchre that Abraham bought' (Genesis 23 records Machpelah; Genesis 33:19 records Jacob's Shechem purchase—Stephen likely conflates or refers to separate purchases) emphasizes legal possession of Canaan through purchase. Even in death, the patriarchs claimed the inheritance, showing faith in resurrection and God's land promise fulfillment.