Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/191

 173

The Death of Sarah

Weighing Money Then begins a process of haggling until the price is article. reduced to what seems reasonable to both parties. Here, too, Ephron begins in the usual manner. At tirst he is unwilling to part with his field and cave, he says, and then when pushed, he offers When this offer, too, is refused, he names to give it to Abraham.

of the finally

a price probably

Abraham's

far

generosity

in

excess

of

the

real

value of

the

property.

and magnanimity are shown in that he imfirst-named price, even though he must feel

mediately accepts this it is probably excessive.

that

Everything in the field is specifi^ed as being included in One of best authorithe sale. This is still customary in the Orient. ties on Eastern life has written, "The contract must mention everything that belongs to it (the lot), and certify that fountains or wells If you rent a home, in it, trees upon it, etc.. are sold with the ifield. not only the building itself, but every room in it, above and below, V.

down

17.

V.

18.

To

duly witnessed. to

and hen-coop, must be Book, II, 383.)

to the kitchen, pantry, stable

(Thomson, The Land and

the

specified".

be binding contracts in the ancient Orient had to be Ancient Babylonian contracts have been unearthed,

which the names of ten or even more witnesses are affixed. So all who are passing by at the moment are made witnesses to

here, this

contract.