Genesis 23:10 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And Ephron dwelt, &c.— The original word ישׁב (iosheb) signifies sat, and implies, that Ephron had a seat in their council. See Psalms 119:23. He appears to have been a ruler or principal person among them, by Abraham's requesting others to address him. It is ingeniously remarked by Dr. Shuckford, that one would be almost led to think the children of Heth had no king, as Abraham made his application to no particular person, but stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth, Psalms 119:7. And when Ephron and he bargained, their agreement was ratified by a popular council, Psalms 119:10; Psalms 119:13. If Heth was the king of the country, his people had a great share in the administration: and indeed most of the kingdoms in or near Canaan, seem to have been originally so constituted, that the people in them had great liberties and power. Thus it was at Shechem, where Hamor was king: the prince determined nothing, wherein the people were concerned, without communion with the men of his city about it. See ch. Genesis 34:20; Genesis 34:24.