Genesis 23:18

18 to Abraham by purchase, before the eyes of the sons of Heth, among all entering the gate of his 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 Abraham hearkeneth unto Ephron, and Abraham weigheth to Ephron the silver which he hath spoken of in the ears of the sons of Heth, four hundred silver shekels, passing with the merchant.

17 And established are the field of Ephron, which [is] in Machpelah, which [is] before Mamre, the field and the cave which [is] in it, and all the trees which [are] in the field, which [are] in all its border round about,

18 to Abraham by purchase, before the eyes of the sons of Heth, among all entering the gate of his city.

19 And after this hath Abraham buried Sarah his wife at the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (which [is] Hebron), in the land of Canaan

20 and established are the field, and the cave which [is] in it, to Abraham for a possession of a burying-place, from the sons of Heth.