The plan of Nephi, reluctantly accepted by Laman, was to gather up the abandoned valuables and offer Laban an exhorbitant price for the records. A well-to-do Hebrew at that time may have had considerable property, accumulated perhaps for several generations. In the negotiations between Abraham and Ephron, the son of Zohar, for a burial ground, the sum of 400 shekels of silver ($300) was considered a mere bagatelle. Abraham insisted on paying for the lot. Very well, Ephron says, it is worth 400 shekels, "What is that betwixt me and thee?" As much as to say, That is a mere trifle.
Lehi had left in his abandoned house, gold and silver and precious objects, and the brothers offered it all for the records.