Genesis Chapter 23 verse 17 Holy Bible

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerses 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 contract must mention everything that belongs to it, and certify that fountains or wells in it, trees upon it, etc., are sold with the field" ('Land and Book,' p. 578) - were made sure - literally, stood up or arose, i.e. were confirmed (cf. Leviticus 27:14, 19) - unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of the city. "This also is true to life. 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, around or near the gate where there is one. 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" ('Land and Book,' p. 579).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(17) Before Mamre.--That is, opposite to it. The Haram wherein the bodies of Abraham and Sarah lie, is situated on the eastern side of the valley, so that Abraham's oak-grove must have been on its western slope. The old Christian tradition, which places it at Ramet-el-Chalil, does not agree with this description, and is, moreover, too far away. The remains pointed out there as those of Abraham's house, are the ruins of a heathen temple. But it is useless to look for any remains of the abode of a nomad dwelling in tents, especially after the site has been occupied by a great city. Moreover, Hebron itself has changed its position. For Benjamin of Tudela, who visited it nearly seven centuries ago, says that the old Hebron was on the heights, but had been abandoned, and that the new city lay in the valley.The field, and the cave . . . --It is interesting to compare this document, so legally exact and full, with the numerous tablets of terra-cotta now in our museums, and which record with equal exactness the daily business transactions of the people of Ur-Chasdim, whence Abraham had migrated.