Genesis 23:18
New International Version
to Abraham as his property in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of the city.

New Living Translation
It was transferred to Abraham as his permanent possession in the presence of the Hittite elders at the city gate.

English Standard Version
to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

Berean Standard Bible
to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.

King James Bible
Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

New King James Version
to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

New American Standard Bible
to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who entered the gate of his city.

NASB 1995
to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

NASB 1977
to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

Legacy Standard Bible
to Abraham as purchased in the sight of the sons of Heth, before all who came in at the gate of his city.

Amplified Bible
to Abraham as his possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who were entering at the gate of his city.

Christian Standard Bible
Abraham’s possession in the sight of all the Hethites who came to the gate of his city.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who came to the gate of his city.

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

English Revised Version
unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
to Abraham. His property included the field with the cave in it as well as all the trees inside the boundaries of the field. The Hittites together with all who had entered the city gate were the official witnesses for the agreement.

Good News Translation
It was recognized as Abraham's property by all the Hittites who were there at the meeting.

International Standard Version
to Abraham in the presence of all the Hittites and everyone who was entering the city gate.

Majority Standard Bible
to Abraham?s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city.

NET Bible
as his property in the presence of the sons of Heth before all who entered the gate of Ephron's city.

New Heart English Bible
to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

Webster's Bible Translation
To Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that entered the gate of his city.

World English Bible
to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
to Abraham by purchase, before the eyes of the sons of Heth, among all entering the gate of his city.

Young's Literal Translation
to Abraham by purchase, before the eyes of the sons of Heth, among all entering the gate of his city.

Smith's Literal Translation
To Abraham for a possession before the eyes of the sons of Heth, with all going to the gate of his city.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Was made sure to Abraham for a possession, in the sight of the children of Heth, and of all that went in at the gate of his city.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Abraham took it as a possession, in the sight of the sons of Heth and of everyone who was entering at the gate of his city.

New American Bible
to Abraham by purchase in the presence of the Hittites, all who entered the gate of Ephron’s city.

New Revised Standard Version
to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, in the presence of all who went in at the gate of his city.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And sold to Abraham in the presence of the Hittites and in the presence of all that went in at the gate of his city.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
To Abraham they were sold before the sons of Khyth and before everyone entering the gate of the city.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
to Abraam for a possession, before the sons of Chet, and all that entered into the city.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Death and Burial of Sarah
17So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over 18to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. 19After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.…

Cross References
Genesis 49:30-32
The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. / There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. / The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the Hittites.”

Genesis 50:13
They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.

Acts 7:16
Their bones were carried back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a price he paid in silver.

Hebrews 11:9-10
By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:13-16
All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ...

Ruth 4:9-10
At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon. / Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”

Jeremiah 32:10-12
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

1 Kings 21:15-16
When Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, who refused to give it to you for silver. For Naboth is no longer alive, but dead.” / And when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.

2 Samuel 24:24
“No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Matthew 27:7
After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.

Acts 7:5
He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.

Joshua 24:32
And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants.

Nehemiah 11:25
As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel, and their villages;

Jeremiah 32:25
Yet You, O Lord GOD, have said to me, ‘Buy for yourself the field with silver and call in witnesses, even though the city has been delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans!’”

Jeremiah 32:43-44
And fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying, ‘It is a desolation, without man or beast; it has been delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans.’ / Fields will be purchased with silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed, and witnessed in the land of Benjamin, in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah—the cities of the hill country, the foothills, and the Negev—because I will restore them from captivity, declares the LORD.”


Treasury of Scripture

To Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.

all.

Genesis 34:20
And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,

Ruth 4:1
Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

Jeremiah 32:12
And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

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Abraham Assured Children City Entered Entering Eyes Gate Heth Hittites Possession Presence Property Purchase
Genesis 23
1. The age and death of Sarah.
3. The purchase of the field and cave of Machpelah;
19. where Sarah is buried.














to Abraham’s possession
This phrase signifies the legal transfer of property to Abraham, marking the first piece of the Promised Land that he owned. It fulfills part of God's promise to give the land to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 12:7). The purchase of the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for Sarah establishes a tangible claim in Canaan, symbolizing faith in God's promises. This act of acquiring land foreshadows the eventual possession of the entire land by the Israelites.

in the presence of all the Hittites
The Hittites were a significant group in the region, and their presence at this transaction underscores the public and legal nature of the purchase. This public witnessing ensured that the transaction was recognized and uncontested. The Hittites' acknowledgment of Abraham as a "mighty prince" (Genesis 23:6) reflects his respected status among them, despite being a foreigner. This interaction highlights the cultural practice of conducting business openly to ensure transparency and legitimacy.

who had come to the gate of his city
The city gate was the center of civic life in ancient Near Eastern cities, serving as a place for legal transactions, public announcements, and community gatherings. Conducting the transaction at the city gate ensured that it was witnessed by the community leaders and elders, providing a legal and binding agreement. This setting emphasizes the importance of community and legal processes in ancient societies. The city gate as a place of judgment and decision-making is seen throughout Scripture, such as in Ruth 4:1-11, where Boaz redeems Ruth at the city gate.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abraham
The patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, he is securing a burial site for his wife, Sarah.

2. Hittites
A group of people living in the land of Canaan. They are the witnesses to the transaction between Abraham and Ephron for the purchase of the cave of Machpelah.

3. The Gate of the City
In ancient times, city gates were places of legal transactions and public gatherings. The presence of the Hittites at the gate signifies a formal and witnessed transaction.

4. Cave of Machpelah
The burial site that Abraham purchases for Sarah. It becomes a significant family burial place for the patriarchs.

5. Ephron the Hittite
The owner of the field and cave that Abraham purchases. His agreement to sell the land to Abraham is a key event in this chapter.
Teaching Points
Faith in Action
Abraham's purchase of the burial site demonstrates his faith in God's promises. Even though he did not see the full realization of God's promise in his lifetime, he acted in faith by securing a piece of the promised land.

Witness and Integrity
The transaction at the city gate, witnessed by the Hittites, underscores the importance of integrity and transparency in our dealings. As Christians, we are called to live above reproach in our interactions with others.

Legacy and Provision
Abraham's actions provide for his family's future, ensuring a place of rest for his descendants. This teaches us the importance of planning and providing for future generations, both spiritually and materially.

God's Timing
The purchase of the land is a reminder that God's promises may not be fulfilled in our timing, but His plans are always perfect. We are called to trust and obey, even when we do not see immediate results.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
to Abraham’s
לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם (lə·’aḇ·rā·hām)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

possession
לְמִקְנָ֖ה (lə·miq·nāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4736: A buying, acquisition, a piece of property, the sum paid

in the presence
לְעֵינֵ֣י (lə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of all
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the Hittites
בְנֵי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

who had come
בָּאֵ֥י (bā·’ê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to the gate
שַֽׁעַר־ (ša·‘ar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of his city.
עִירֽוֹ׃ (‘î·rōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT Law: Genesis 23:18 To Abraham for a possession (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 23:17
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