Genesis 23:1-20
DEATH OF SARAH AND PURCHASE OF THE BURYINGPLACE OF MACHPELAH BY ABRAHAM This section is from the Priestly source and dwells on the legal transaction.... [ Continue Reading ]
DEATH OF SARAH AND PURCHASE OF THE BURYINGPLACE OF MACHPELAH BY ABRAHAM This section is from the Priestly source and dwells on the legal transaction.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME] rather, 'went in,' perhaps from his own tent to that of Sarah.... [ Continue Reading ]
STOOD UP FROM BEFORE HIS DEAD] To sit upon the ground was the posture of mourning: cp. Job 2:13. SONS OF HETH] i.e. the Hittites: see on Genesis 10:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
After true Eastern custom, there was excessive courtesy in the transaction, but a large sum was in the end required. 'In Damascus, when a purchaser makes a lower offer than can be accepted, he is answered, “What, is it a matter of money between us? Take it for nothing, friend, it is a present from m... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR A POSSESSION, etc.] RV 'in the midst of you for a possession of a buryingplace.' Abraham wished that the Hittites should be present as witnesses of the purchase. THE CAVE OF MACHPELAH] This spot, over which now stands the great Mohammedan mosque at Hebron, is generally admitted to be the origina... [ Continue Reading ]
AND EPHRON DWELT] RV 'Now Ephron was sitting.'... [ Continue Reading ]
BOWED] in thanks for granting his request.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE AUDIENCE OF THE PEOPLE] The Hittites were thus witnesses to the agreement.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOUR HUNDRED SHEKELS OF SILVER] Reckoning the shekel at half-a-crown, this would be about £50, but the purchasing power of silver was much greater in those days.... [ Continue Reading ]
CURRENT _money_] Note that the word 'money' is not in the original. The word 'shekel' means 'weight,' and it is believed that, in these early days, rings of silver of a marked weight were used, and not coins bearing a definite value. Abraham probably weighed them to show they were of full value. 'Co... [ Continue Reading ]
Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Leah, were all buried here.... [ Continue Reading ]