Genesis 23:3-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 23:3-15

Here is, I. The humble request which Abraham made to his neighbours, the Hittites, for a burying-place among them, Gen. 23:3, 4. It was strange he had this to do now; but we are to impute it rather to God's providence than to his improvidence, as appears Acts 7:5; where it is said, God gave him no inheritance in Canaan. It were well if all those who take care to provide burying-places for their bodies after death were as careful to provide a resting-place for their souls. Observe here, 1. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:3

And Abraham stood up from before his dead ,.... The corpse of Sarah, by which he sat pensive and mourning, perhaps upon the ground, as was the custom of mourners, Job 1:13 ; where having sat awhile, he rose up and went out of the tent, to provide for the funeral of his wife as became him: and spake unto the sons of Heth ; the descendants of Heth the son of Canaan, see Genesis 10:15 ; who were at this time the inhabitants and proprietors of that part of the land where Abraham now was:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 23:4

I am a stranger and a sojourner with you ,.... Not a native of the place, only dwelt as a sojourner among them for a time; but had not so much as a foot of ground he could call his own, and consequently had no place to inter his dead: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you ; not that he desired it as a free gift, but that he might be allowed to make a purchase of a piece of ground to bury his dead in; so the Targum of Jonathan,"sell me a possession,' &c.; Genesis 23:9 ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:3

Abraham stood up from before his dead - He had probably sat on the ground some days in token of sorrow, as the custom then was, (see Tobit 2:12, 13; Isaiah 47:1 ; and Genesis 37:35 ;); and when this time was finished he arose and began to treat about a burying place. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:4

I am a stranger and a sojourner - It appears from Hebrews 11:13-16 ; 1 Peter 2:11 , that these words refer more to the state of his mind than of his body. He felt that he had no certain dwelling place, and was seeking by faith a city that had foundations. Give me a possession of a burying place - It has been remarked that in different nations it was deemed ignominious to be buried in another's ground; probably this prevailed in early times in the east, and it may be in reference to a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:3

Verse 3 3.And spake unto the sons of Heth. Moses is silent respecting the rite used by Abraham in the burial of the body of his wife: but he proceeds, at great length, to recite the purchasing of the sepulcher. For what reason he did this, we shall see presently, when I shall briefly allude to the custom of burial. How religiously this has been observed in all ages, and among all people, is well known. Ceremonies have indeed been different, and men have endeavored to outdo each other in various... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 23:4

Verse 4 4.I am a stranger and a sojourner with you. This introductory sentence tends to one or other of these points; either that he may more easily gain what he desires by suppliantly asking for it; or that he may remove all suspicion of cupidity on his part. He therefore confesses, that, since he had only a precarious abode among them, he could possess no sepulcher, unless by their permission. And because, during life, they have permitted him to dwell within their territory, it was the part... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:1-20

The death and burial of Sarah. I. THE DEATH OF SARAH . 1. The mournful event . The death of— 2. The attendant circumstances . Sarah died— II. THE BURIAL OF SARAH . 1. The days of mourning . "Abraham came to mourn and to weep for Sarah." The sorrow of the patriarch was— 2. The purchase of a grave . Here may be noted— 3. The last rites of sepulture . " After this Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah;"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:3

And Abraham stood up —during the days of mourning he had been sitting on the ground; and now, his grief having moderated (Calvin), he goes out to the city gate— from before (literally, from over the face of) his dead ,—"Sarah, though dead, was still his" (Wordsworth)— and spake unto the sons of Heth .—the Hittites were descendants of Heth, the son of Canaan ( vide Genesis 10:15 ). Cf. "daughters of Heth" ( Genesis 27:46 ) and "daughters of Canaan" ( Genesis 28:1 )— saying ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 23:4

I am a stranger and a sojourner with you . Ger, one living out of his own country, and Thoshabh, one dwelling in a land in which he is not naturalized; advena et peregrinus (Vulgate); πάροικος καὶ παρ ἐπίδημος ( LXX .). This confession of the heir of Canaan was a proof that he sought, as his real inheritance, a better country, even an heavenly ( Hebrews 11:13 ). Give me a possession of a burying-place with you. The first mention of a grave in Scripture, the word in Hebrew... read more

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