23:1 Sarah See 11:29; 17:15 and note.

23:2 Kiriath Arba This place—which may be literally rendered “city of Arba”—was later named Hebron (Judg 1:10). Hebron is also mentioned by name in Gen 13:18. Genesis uses both names here in v. 2 to reflect the updating of the name—a later editor may have added this note for clarity.

23:3 the Hittites There is no archaeological evidence supporting a Hittite presence in Canaan (south of Kadesh) at this time. The Hittite Empire never reached as far south as Hebron.

23:4 burial site among you An inheritable burial site.

23:6 a mighty prince This title is likely honorific, having no religious or governing significance for the Hittites.

23:7 the people of the land Abraham does not yet directly negotiate with the landowner. First, he must negotiate with the wider citizenry, perhaps at a town council or tribal council.

23:9 the cave of Machpelah Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah were buried in this cave (25:9; 49:30–31; 50:13). Tradition identifies it with the ḥaram el-khalil (“the sacred place of the friend [of God]”) in modern Hebron.

23:10 the Hittites with respect to all who were entering the gate of This could describe an assembly of free (non-slave) citizens assembled for a vote.

23:15 four hundred shekels of silver This may have been a standard price—three texts from Ugarit (ancient Syria) give this amount as the purchase price for a piece of real estate.

23:16 at the merchants’ current rate The shekel was not a coin at this time, but a unit of weight. At a later time in Israel’s history, there was a common weight used and a royal weight (2 Sam 14:26).