Genesis 23:18

18 to Abraam for a possession, before the sons of Chet, and all that entered into the city.

Genesis 23:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 23:18

Unto Abraham for a possession
To be enjoyed by him and his for ever, as his own property, being purchased by his money: in the presence of the children of Heth;
they being witnesses of the bargain, and of the payment of the money by Abraham, and of the surrender of the field unto him, for his own use: before all that went in at the gates of his city;
not of Abraham's city, for he had none, but of Ephron's city, which was Hebron, see ( Genesis 23:10 ) ; these are either the same with the children of Heth, and so the clause is added by way of explanation, and including all the inhabitants of the place; or else different from them, they intending the princes of the people that composed the assembly Abraham addressed, and these the common people, the inhabitants of the place. Aben Ezra takes them to be the travellers that passed and repassed through the gates of the city: however, the design of the expression is to show in what a public manner this affair was transacted, and that the field was made as firm and as sure to Abraham as it could well be, no writings on such occasion being used so early.

Genesis 23:18 In-Context

16 And Abraam hearkened to Ephron, and Abraam rendered to Ephron the money, which he mentioned in the ears of the sons of Chet, four hundred didrachms of silver approved with merchants.

17 And the field of Ephron, which was in Double Cave, which is opposite Mambre, the field and the cave, which was in it, and every tree which was in the field, and whatever is in its borders round about, were made sure in its borders round about, were made sure

18 to Abraam for a possession, before the sons of Chet, and all that entered into the city.

19 After this Abraam buried Sarrha his wife in the Double Cave of the field, which is opposite Mambre, this is Chebron in the land of Chanaan.

20 So the field and the cave which was in it were made sure to Abraam for possession of a burying place, by the sons of Chet.