Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 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 ii. 12, 13; Isa. xlvii. 1; and Genesis xxxvii. 35;) and when this time was finished he arose and began to treat about a burying place.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - The longest life must shortly come to a close. Blessed be God tha there is a world where sin, death, vanity, and vexation cannot enter Blessed be his name, that even death cannot part believers from unio with Christ. Those whom we most love, yea, even our own bodies, whic 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 earthl 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 religio of the Bible enjoins to pay due respect to all in authority, withou flattering their persons, or countenancing their crimes if they ar unworthy characters. And the noble generosity of these Canaanite shames and condemns the closeness, selfishness, and ill-humour of man that call themselves Israelites. It was not in pride that Abraha 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, an therefore would not take advantage of Ephron's generosity. Honesty, a well as honour, forbids us to take advantage of our neighbour' liberality, and to impose, upon those who give freely.
Original Hebrew ויקם6965 אברהם85 מעל5921 פני6440 מתו4191 וידבר1696 אל413 בני1121 חת2845 לאמר׃559
