Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Entreat for me to Ephron] Abraham had already seen the cave and field, and finding to whom they belonged, and that they would answer his purpose, came to the gate of Hebron, where the elders of the people sat to administer justice, &c., and where bargains and sales were made and witnessed, and having addressed himself to the elders, among whom Ephron was, though it appears he was not personally known to Abraham, he begged them to use their influence with the owner of the cave and field to sell it to him, that it might serve him and his family for a place of sepulture.
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 וידבר1696 אתם854 לאמר559 אם518 ישׁ3426 את853 נפשׁכם5315 לקבר6912 את853 מתי4191 מלפני6440 שׁמעוני8085 ופגעו6293 לי בעפרון6085 בן1121 צחר׃6714
