Gen 23:3-7 | Clarke | e4.org | 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 2:12, 13 ; ; and ;) and when this time was finished he arose and began to treat about a burying place.

‏ Genesis 23:3-7

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 2:12, 13; Isa 47:1; and Ge 37:35;) and when this time was finished he arose and began to treat about a burying place.

Verse 4. I am a stranger and a sojourner] It appears from Heb 11:13-16; 1Pe 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 sentiment of this kind that Abraham refuses to accept the offer of the children of Heth to bury in any of their sepulchres, and earnestly requests them to sell him one, that he might bury his wife in a place that he could claim as his own.

Verse 6. Thou art a mighty prince] nesi Elohim, a prince of God-a person whom we know to be Divinely favoured, and whom, in consequence, we deeply respect and reverence.