genesis-23:17-20-nkjv,nlt

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 23:17

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 23:17

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:1-20

The death and burial of Sarah. I. THE DEATH OF SARAH . 1. The mournful event . The death of— 2. The attendant circumstances . Sarah died— II. THE BURIAL OF SARAH . 1. The days of mourning . "Abraham came to mourn and to weep for Sarah." The sorrow of the patriarch was— 2. The purchase of a grave . Here may be noted— 3. The last rites of sepulture . " After this Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah;"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:17-18

And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah ,—here the word is used as a proper name ( vide supra ) — which was before Mamre,— לִפְגֵי over against (Lange), to the east of (Keil), the oak grove— the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about ,—"In like manner the operations in the contract are just such as are found in modern deeds. It is not enough that you purchase a well-known lot; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:19

And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife —with what funeral rites can only be conjectured. Monumental evidence attests that the practice of embalming the dead existed in Egypt in the reign of Amunophth I ., though probably originating, earlier.; and an examination of the Mugheir vaults for burying the dead shows that among the early Chaldaeans it was customary to place the corpse upon a matting of reed spread upon a brick floor, the head being pillowed on a single sun-dried brick, and... read more

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

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 23:17

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:17-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:19

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