What Does Genesis 23:18 Mean in the King James?
Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word for “possession” names an acquisition, and the city gate makes that acquisition visible to the community.
THE MEANING
The verse shows ownership held in the open, where the community can witness and recognize the transfer. What is acquired stands before the people and at the city gate; possession and public witness are joined.
THE ROOT
מִקְנָה
miqnah
GROWS FROM
קנה
q-n-h
To acquire or get; by extension, to possess.
“Possession” comes from the language of acquiring: the field is not merely claimed but gained. The verse places that acquisition before the community, making its status publicly visible.
ALSO GROWS
qoneh: One who acquires or possesses (קֹנֵה, qoneh).
In Genesis 14:19, the same root describes the “possessor” of heaven and earth, linking the field’s acquisition to a much wider scope of possession.
miqneh: Livestock or acquired property (מִקְנֶה, miqneh).
Genesis 13:2 uses this word for Abraham’s herds; this root family spans both movable wealth and the field acquired here.
THE PATTERN
A claim is established when its transfer is brought before witnesses.
And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.THE THREAD
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:“Possessor” here is qoneh (קֹנֵה, one who acquires or possesses), from the same קנה root as miqnah, “possession,” in Genesis 23:18. The same root names both Abraham’s bounded field and the possession of heaven and earth.
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