Genesis 33:19
And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.
Genesis 33:19 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see the patriarch Abraham purchasing a field where he had set up his tent from the children of Hamor, the father of Shechem. The significance of this transaction goes beyond a simple real estate purchase. By buying this land, Abraham is solidifying his presence in the land that God had promised to him and his descendants. This act demonstrates Abraham's faith in God's promise of inheritance and shows his commitment to establishing roots in the land. Additionally, by conducting this transaction with the descendants of Hamor, Abraham is also building relationships with the local communities, laying the groundwork for future interactions with the Canaanites.
Theological Overview
Genesis 33:19 recounts how Jacob, after his return from Padan-aram, purchased a piece of land from the Canaanites. The theological interpretation of this verse often focuses on the significance of land ownership in biblical times. Land was not just a physical possession but also held spiritual and ancestral value for the Israelites. By buying a parcel of land where he had spread his tent, Jacob was establishing roots and securing a place for future generations. Additionally, the mention of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, alludes to the complex relationships and interactions between different peoples in the ancient Near East. Word studies suggest that the purchase price of "a hundred pieces of money" could indicate the wealth and status of Jacob as a prominent figure in the region.
Genesis 33:19 in other translations
American Standard Version
And he bought the parcel of ground, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of money.
World English Bible
He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money.
Douay-Rheims
And he bought that part of the field, in which he pitched his tents, of the children of Hemor, the father of Sichem, for a hundred lambs.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And there he bought a parcell of ground, where hee pitched his tent, at the hande of the sonnes of Hamor Shechems father, for an hundreth pieces of money.