Behold, I have given thy brother, &c.— There is nothing in the Hebrew for pieces, and therefore nothing certain can be determined as to the quantity of this silver. The opinions of expositors are various respecting this difficult passage. The authors of the Universal History appear to me to have given a just translation of this passage, though contrary to our own: "Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver, or thirty of silver money, and behold it (this present) may serve to buy thee a veil to cover thy eyes, before all those with whom thou shalt converse for the future, as well as before all those who shall be with thee:" thus she was reproved. For a veil was worn in token of subjection to the husband, and that the wife's chastity might be thereby preserved from the insults and snares of others.
Related Commentaries of Genesis 20:16
Genesis 20:16
16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.