Genesis 23:16-20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 23:16-20

We have here the conclusion of the treaty between Abraham and Ephron about the burying-place. The bargain was publicly made before all the neighbours, in the presence and audience of the sons of Heth, Gen. 23:16, 17. Note, Prudence, as well as justice, directs us to be fair, and open, and above-board, in our dealings. Fraudulent contracts hate the light, and choose to be clandestine; but those that design honestly in their bargains care not who are witnesses to them. Our law countenances sales... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:16

And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron ,.... He agreed at once to give him the sum proposed, judging it to be a moderate price between man and man, and he was satisfied with it, and well content to pay him the money: and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver : for in those times money had no mark or stamp upon it to show its value, and therefore was not told by pieces, but weighed, by which its full worth was known; and that Ephron might have his whole and just demand, the silver was weighed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:17

And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah ,.... This clearly shows that Machpelah is the proper name of a place or tract of ground, and not an appellative, or to be rendered the double cave, since a field could never be said to be in a cave: and yet some have been so stupid, as Vatablus observes, as to render the words,"the field of Ephron, which was in the double cave,'whereas, on the contrary, the cave was in that field; and so the Vulgate version, to better sense, though not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:19

And after this ,.... After this affair was over, the bargain struck, the money paid, and possession secured: Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah , before Mamre ; and here he himself was buried, and also Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah, Genesis 25:9 . Benjamin of Tudela F8 Itinerarium, p. 48, 49. says, in his time (who lived in the latter end of the twelfth century), in the field of Machpelah was a city or town, and in it a large temple... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:20

And the field, and the cave that is therein, was made sure to Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace, by the sons of Heth. Who were witnesses of the transaction between Abraham and Ephron; and this was further made sure by Sarah's being buried in it, which was taking possession of it, for the use for which it was bought; and was a pledge and earnest of the future possession of the land of Canaan by the seed of Abraham: this was the first piece of ground in it possessed by Abraham and his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:16

Current with the merchant - לסחר עבר ober lassocher , passing to or with the traveler - such as was commonly used by those who traveled about with merchandise of any sort. The word signifies the same as hawker or peddler among us. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:17

All the trees that were in the field - It is possible that all these were specified in the agreement. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:20

And the field, etc. were made sure - ויקם vaiyakom , were established, caused to stand; the whole transaction having been regulated according to all the forms of law then in use. 1. In this transaction between Abraham and the sons of Heth concerning the cave and field of Machpelah, we have the earliest account on record of the purchase of land. The simplicity, openness, and candour on both sides cannot be too much admired. 2. Sarah being dead, Abraham being only a sojourner in that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:16

Verse 16 16.And Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver. I know not what had come into Jerome’s mind, when he says, that one letter was abstracted from Ephron’s name, after he had been persuaded, by Abraham’s entreaties, to receive money for the field; because, by the sale of the sepulcher, his virtue was maimed or diminished: for, in fact, the name of Ephron is found written in the very same manner, after that event, as before. Nor ought it to be imputed to Ephron as a fault, that, being pressed,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 23:16-20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:16

Group of Brands