Parallel Verses English Standard Version to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. King James Bible Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city. American Standard Version unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city. Douay-Rheims Bible Was made sure to Abraham for a possession, in the sight of the children of Heth, and of all that went in at the gate of his city. English Revised Version unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city. Webster's Bible Translation To Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that entered the gate of his city. Genesis 23:18 Parallel Commentary Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old TestamentHe then went to the Hittites, the lords and possessors of the city and its vicinity at that time, to procure from them "a possession of a burying-place." The negotiations were carried on in the most formal style, in a public assembly "of the people of the land," i.e., of natives (Genesis 23:7), in the gate of the city (Genesis 23:10). As a foreigner and sojourner, Abraham presented his request in the most courteous manner to all the citizens ("all that went in at the gate," Genesis 23:10, Genesis 23:18; a phrase interchangeable with "all that went out at the gate," Genesis 34:24, and those who "go out and in," Jeremiah 17:19). The citizens with the greatest readiness and respect offered "the prince of God," i.e., the man exalted by God to the rank of a prince, "the choice" (מבחר, i.e., the most select) of their graves for his use (Genesis 23:6). But Abraham asked them to request Ephron, who, to judge from the expression "his city" in Genesis 23:10, was then ruler of the city, to give him for a possession the cave of Machpelah, at the end of his field, of which he was the owner, "for full silver," i.e., for its full worth. Ephron thereupon offered to make him a present of both field and cave. This was a turn in the affair which is still customary in the East; the design, so far as it is seriously meant at all, being either to obtain a present in return which will abundantly compensate for the value of the gift, or, what is still more frequently the case, to preclude any abatement in the price to be asked. The same design is evident in the peculiar form in which Ephron stated the price, in reply to Abraham's repeated declaration that he was determined to buy the piece of land: "a piece of land of 400 shekels of silver, what is that between me and thee" (Genesis 23:15)? Abraham understood it so (ישׁמע Genesis 23:16), and weighed him the price demanded. The shekel of silver "current with the merchant," i.e., the shekel which passed in trade as of standard weight, was 274 Parisian grains, so that the price of the piece of land was 52, 10s.; a very considerable amount for that time. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge all. Cross References Genesis 10:15 Canaan fathered Sidon his firstborn and Heth, Genesis 23:10 Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, Genesis 23:19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Genesis 25:9 Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, Jump to Previous Abraham Assured Children City Entered Entering Eyes Gate Heth Hittites Possession Presence Property PurchaseJump to Next Abraham Assured Children City Entered Entering Eyes Gate Heth Hittites Possession Presence Property PurchaseLinks Genesis 23:18 NIVGenesis 23:18 NLT Genesis 23:18 ESV Genesis 23:18 NASB Genesis 23:18 KJV Genesis 23:18 Bible Apps Genesis 23:18 Biblia Paralela Genesis 23:18 Chinese Bible Genesis 23:18 French Bible Genesis 23:18 German Bible Bible Hub ESV Text Edition: 2016. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. |