Free Bible Commentary
“Genesis 23:17-20”
Categories: Genesis“So Ephron’s field, which was in Machpelah, which faced Mamre, the field and cave which was in it, and all the trees which were in the field, that were within all the confines of its border, were deeded over to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city. After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field at Machpelah facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave that is in it, were deeded over to Abraham for a burial site by the sons of Heth.'”
---End of Scripture verses---
“So Ephron’s field, which was in Machpelah, which faced Mamre...” (verse 17) The field in Machpelah which once belonged to Ephron, but now was the rightful possession of Abraham, “faced” or was positioned to the east of Mamre, adjacent to Abraham's Hebron settlement. “This and the following verses contain, in language of legal minuteness, the description of the purchase. The sentence probably represents the form of a deed of sale, such as was included in Hebrew contracts. Similar minute details are found in Babylonian legal deeds of sale. Notice the particular mention of 'the field,' 'the cave,' 'all the trees,' 'all the border,' 'made sure,' 'in the presence of,' 'all that went in at the gate of his city.'” (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges)
“Some have marveled that so much is made of this in the Bible, but the importance of it lies in the fact that this was the only part of the literal land of Canaan that Abraham ever owned. Also, his purchase of it at such an exorbitant price showed his faith that God in time would indeed drive out the Canaanites and give the land to the children of Abraham. That Abraham insisted on buying the place, when free burial grounds were offered, stems from the implications that might have accompanied such a gift. That which God had sworn to 'give' Abraham, he would not, under any circumstances, accept as a 'gift' from the Canaanites. It was a similar attitude on Abraham's part that caused him to reject the spoils tendered to him by the king of Sodom. Abraham did not wish to appear OBLIGATED to pagans. Did Abraham believe in the resurrection of the dead? Certainly, only his absolute confidence in the resurrection enabled him to offer Isaac (Hebrews 11:17-19). 'Therefore, we may conclude, that in depositing the body of his beloved wife in the grave, Abraham trusted her soul to God, and looked for a joyful resurrection.'” (James Burton Coffman)
Please read Genesis 24:1-9 for tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day!
- Louie Taylor
