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Genesis 23:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 23:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Genesis 23:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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
“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 seed; and it being called the possession of a buryingplace, shows that there is no contradiction between this and what Stephen says, (<440705>Acts 7:5); he had a possession to bury in, but not to live…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification