Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 4. I am a stranger and a sojourner] It appears from Hebrews xi. 13-16; 1 Pet. ii. 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 sentiment of this kind that Abraham refuses to accept the offer of the children of Heth to bury in any of their sepulchers, and earnestly requests them to sell him one, that he might bury his wife in a place that he could claim as his own.
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 גר1616 ותושׁב8453 אנכי595 עמכם5973 תנו5414 לי אחזת272 קבר6913 עמכם5973 ואקברה6912 מתי4191 מלפני׃6440
