Devine Scripture

Genesis 23:18

What does Genesis 23:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 23:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 23:18 means

The field and cave were legally confirmed as Abraham's possession, witnessed by the children of Heth and all who were present at the city gate. This public witnessing was crucial for validating the transaction according to ancient Near Eastern custom, making Abraham's ownership undeniable. It signifies that Abraham, though a sojourner, now held a legitimate, publically recognized claim to a piece of the promised land.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Became the property of Abraham before the eyes of the children of Heth and of all who came into the town.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to Abraham by purchase, before the eyes of the sons of Heth, among all entering the gate of his city.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

were assured to Abraham for a possession before the eyes of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

Context

This verse re-emphasizes the public and legally binding nature of the transaction described in verse 17. The witnessing by "the children of Heth" and "all that went in at the gate of his city" reinforces the legal security of Abraham's new possession. This confirmation of ownership directly precedes the actual burial, solidifying the legal right to use the acquired land.

v.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

v.18This passage

v.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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ruth 4:1

    Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the near 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 delivered the deed of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel mine uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the deed of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the guard.

  • 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,

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