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Genesis 23:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 23:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
Genesis 23:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15My lord, hearken unto me. A piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that betwixt me and thee? Bury therefore thy dead.
16And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron. And Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver which he had named in the audience of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current [money] with the merchant.
17So the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the border thereof round about, were made sure
18unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
19And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan.
20And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place by the children of Heth.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Unto Abraham for a possession, etc.] 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 <012310>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…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification