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CHAP. XXIII.
Verse 1. THese were the yeares of the life of Sarah] How long any other woman lived is not recorded in Scripture. She lived sixty yeares in Ur, five in Haran, twenty five in Canaan, (almost all) before she had Isaac, and thirty seven after in Canaan, most at Geraa and Beer-sheba, until her death in Kiriath-arba or Hi∣bron.
V. 2. Kiriath-arba, the same is Hebron] V. 19. Judges 1. 10. This city was first called Mamre, ch. 13, 18. Here Abraham and Isaac sojourned; and hither Jacob came to his father Isaac, after his returne from Laban, ch. 35. 27. This afterwards fell by lot in the tribe, and mountain or hill-countrey of Judah, Josh. 15. 54. And was given to the Priests for a City of Refuge, Josh. 20. 7. But the fields of the City (excepting the subuths,) and the villages thereof were given to Cale••, Josh. 21. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
and Abrahem came] Out of his own Tent into Sarahs Tent, for they had several Tents, separated from each o∣ther, ch. 24. 67. So, ch. 31 33. It is possible that Abraham had not removed his dwelling from Beer-sheba to Hebron, but that Sarah upon some occasion travelling thither, there from home fell sick and died. And that from Beer-sheba Abraham should come and mourne for her, and take order for her burial. But it is not likely she should so travel in her extream old age, nor so likely he would have in that manner buried her there, if they both had not re∣moved and dwelled there, it being their ancient place of habitation. And wherever Abraham had been, as at Beer-sheba, as at Hebron, he must have bought an inheritance, if any he would have for any use, he being but a stran∣ger and sojourne•• in the land, Acts 7. 5.
to mourn and to weep] So our Saviour wept for Laza∣rus, John 11. 35. but it must be with moderation, as in hope and belief of the Resurrection, 1 Thess. 4 13. A little letter is here in the Original to note his moderation in weeping without excesse.
V. 3. Stood up from before his dead] Where likely he had sitten awhile on the earth, Job. 2. 12, 13. Esay 47. 1.
the sonnes of Heth] The Governours and Elders of the Hittites, the inhabitants of Hebron, of the progeny of Cham, ch. 10. 15.
V. 4. Sojourner] He••. 11. 13, 14, 16.
a possession] Leave to purchase it.
burying place] Abraham having lived sixty two yeares in this land, yet never purchased foot of inheritance, till now a burying place. This was a kinde of taking possessi∣on of this promised land, Esay 22. 16. or a kinde of pledge or prophetical signe that his posterity should come and inherit the land, as Jeremies buying his Uncles field was a signe of the Jewes returne into the possession of this land, Jer. 32. This made Jacob give charge to be buried here. And Joseph to have his bones carried into this land, not a foot; by Gods gift, Acts 7. 5.
bury my dead] Sowe it as seed in the ground, till the Re∣surrection, where they rest, as in their beds, till their change come.
out of my sight] Death makes lovely Sarah, the desire of his eyes, now ••athsome to his sight.
V. 6. A mighty Prince.] ch. 2 1. v. 22.
V. 9. For a possession] Though they offered him the free use of the choice of their sepulchres, v. 6. yet he had rather pay for a propriety, then hold such a community with the heathen.
V. 9. Machpelah] Before Kiriath-arba, or Hebron, or Mamre, v. 17, ••9.
V. 10. And Ephron dwelt] Or sate, being present in that assembly, though likely not known by face to A∣braham. v. 8.
at the gates of the City] There Assemblies used to be and places of Judicature, v. 18. ch. 34. 20. Deut. 17. 5. 21. 19. 22. 15, 24. 25. 7. Ruth 4. 1, 11. and in many other places, Prov. 31. 23.
V. 13. If thou Wilt give it; or be that Ephron.
I will give•• v. 9 The like strivi••g in kindnesse is be∣tween David and Araunah, 2 Sam ••4. 21, 22, 23, 24.
V. 15. Shekels of silver] See, ch. 20. 16. The com∣mon shekel little more then our shilling, viz. three pence, foure hundred common shekels come to twenty five pounds; some make the common shekel to be one shilling eight pence; and the Royal or Kings shekel to be one shil∣ling three pence, 2 Sam. 14. 26.
V. 16 Weighed] Money paid by weight, not by tale, so, ch. 43. 21. Esay 55. 2. Jer. 22. 9. Zech. 11. 12.
V. 17 And the field of Ephron] This is not that men∣tioned, Acts 7 ••6.
were made 〈◊〉〈◊〉] By payment and Witnesses, without Deeds and Writings; after Writings were used, Jer. 32 Now hardly will skilful Writings serve the turne.
V. 18. For a possession] And monument to posterity, without distrust of Gods Promises, or a renunciation of his own right, he buyeth a parcel of the land for his present necessity. The time of possession, according to the grant and promise being not yet come.
V. 19. Buried Sarah] And so after himself was buried there: and Isaac and Rebecca. Jacob and Leah, ch. 25. 9, 49. 31. 50. 13. They testifying hereby their faith in Gods promises, for the inheritance of this land, and of the heavenly Canaan figured by it, Mat. 27. 7.
V. 20. A burying place] A seemly care is to be had of bu∣rial places.