And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that [was] in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, [even] seventeen shekels of silver.
Ver. 9. And I bought the field.] This was bravely done, to make a purchase at such a time, when the enemy was seizing upon all. That Roman is famous in history who dared to purchase that field near Rome wherein Hannibal had pitched his camp. a Verum eorum res non erant ita deplorates; but the Romans were nothing near so low at that time as the Jews were at this.
And weighed him the money.] That was the manner of payment in those times. b Hence the Hebrew shekel from shakal, to weigh Gen 23:16 - our English word scale seemeth to come from it), the Greek στατηρ from ισταναι ponderare to weigh Exo 30:13 Mat 27:9 or of statera, for a balance the Dutch and English mark c cometh from a similar origin.
Even seventeen shekels of silver.] No great sum, not much over forty shillings; but it might be as much as the thing was worth, considering the times especially.
a Liv., lib. xxvi. Plutar. in Annib. Flor., lib. ii. c. 6.
b Olim moneta librabatur. Pater puellae id aurum in dotem viro appendit
c Unde et nomen marcharum hodie nobis superest. - Zegedin.