Genesis 23

Genesis 23:15

15.—[four hundred shekels] Money in general, and prices of silver, were spoken of before, chap. xvii. 12, 13, and xx. 16; which shews that they did not trade merely by the exchange of commodities. This is the first place in which the name of shekel occurs. The value is not exactly known: but it appears from Josephus to have been something less than half-a-crown of our money. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 23:16

16.—[and Abraham weighed] They did not tell money as we do now, but weighed it: till it being found inconvenient to weigh it on every particular occasion, they set a mark upon it to denote its value. Bp. Patrick.

VOL. I.

Chap. XXIV. ver. 1. And Abraham was old.] A hundred and forty years old.

Some think that putting the hand under the thigh was a token of subjection and homage, done by a servant to his lord: the latter sitting, and the servant kneeling and putting his hand under him. Bp. Patrick. In ancient times servants were accustomed thus to acknowledge their obedience; and the custom is preserved to this day amongst some Indians. It is as much as to say, Thou art subjected to me; thou art my servant. Locke.