Genesis 23:17

17. Field… cave… trees… borders Observe how every thing is specified The importance of this is still understood . “It is not enough,” says Thomson, “that you purchase a well-known lot; the contract must mention every thing that belongs to it, and certify that fountains or wells in it, trees upon it, etc . , are sold with the field . If you rent a house, not only the building itself, but every room in it, above and below, down to the kitchen, pantry, stable, and hen-coop, must be specified . ” Land and Book, vol . ii, p . 383 .

Made sure The same word is repeated in Genesis 23:20. This possession was publicly and legally confirmed to Abraham . On this Dr . Thomson also writes: “When any sale is now to be effected in a town or village, the whole population gather about the parties at the usual place of concourse . There all take part, and enter into the pros and cons with as much earnestness as if it were their own individual affair . By these means, the operation, in all its circumstances and details, is known to many witnesses, and the thing is made sure, without any written contract. In fact, up to this day, in this very city of Hebron, a purchase thus witnessed is legal, while the best-drawn deeds of a London lawyer, though signed and sealed, would be of no avail without such living witnesses.”