Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants.
16. And Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver . I know not what had come into Jerome’s mind, when he says, that one letter was abstracted from Ephron’s name, after he had been persuaded, by Abraham’s entreaties, to receive money for the field; because, by the sale of the sepulcher, his virtue was maimed or diminished: for, in fact, the name of Ephron is found...
We have here the conclusion of the treaty between Abraham and Ephron about the burying-place. The bargain was publicly made before all the neighbours, in the presence and audience of the sons of Heth, Gen 23:16, Gen 23:17. Note, Prudence, as well as justice, directs us to be fair, and open, and above-board, in our dealings.
Commenting on Genesis 23:16-20
Unto Abraham for a possession,.... To be enjoyed by him and his for ever, as his own property, being purchased by his money: in the presence of the children of Heth; they being witnesses of the bargain, and of the payment of the money by Abraham, and of the surrender of the field unto him, for his own use: before all that went in at...