231 Now Sarah lived e one hundred and twenty-seven e years ; these were the years of the life of Sarah . 2 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron ) in the land of Canaan ; and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.
3 Then Abraham rose from before his dead , and spoke to the sons of Heth , saying , 4 "I am a stranger and a sojourner among you; give me a burial site among you that I may bury my dead out of my sight . 5 The sons of Heth answered Abraham , saying to him, 6 "Hear us, my lord , you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves ; none e of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead ." 7 So Abraham rose and bowed to the people of the land , the sons of Heth . 8 And he spoke with them, saying , "If it is your wish for me to bury my dead out of my sight , hear me, and approach Ephron the son of Zohar for me, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he owns, which is at the end of his field ; for the full price let him give it to me in your presence for a burial site ." 10 Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth ; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the sons of Heth ; even of all who went in at the gate of his city , saying , 11 "No , my lord , hear me; I give you the field , and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the sons of my people I give it to you; bury your dead ." 12 And Abraham bowed before the people of the land . 13 He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land , saying , "If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field , accept it from me that I may bury my dead there ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 23:1-13
Commentary on Genesis 23:1-13
(Read Genesis 23:1-13)
The longest life must shortly come to a close. Blessed be God that there is a world where sin, death, vanity, and vexation cannot enter. Blessed be his name, that even death cannot part believers from union with Christ. Those whom we most love, yea, even our own bodies, which we so care for, must soon become loathsome lumps of clays, and be buried out of sight. How loose then should we be to all earthly attachments and adornments! Let us seek rather that our souls be adorned with heavenly graces. Abraham rendered honour and respect to the princes of Heth, although of the ungodly Canaanites. The religion of the Bible enjoins to pay due respect to all in authority, without flattering their persons, or countenancing their crimes if they are unworthy characters. And the noble generosity of these Canaanites shames and condemns the closeness, selfishness, and ill-humour of many that call themselves Israelites. It was not in pride that Abraham refused the gift, because he scorned to be beholden to Ephron; but in justice and in prudence. Abraham was able to pay for the field, and therefore would not take advantage of Ephron's generosity. Honesty, as well as honour, forbids us to take advantage of our neighbour's liberality, and to impose, upon those who give freely.