An Exposition of Genesis, Genesis · Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
IN this Chapter the history of the Church is continued to the end of Sarahs dayes. Some space of time there was spun out, from the time of Isaacs offering, to his mothers death, which was about twelve years, wherein nothing is mentioned of the churches affaires in Abrahams family; whereas doubtless some charges were in altering his habitation from Beersheba to Hebron, &c. where now Sarah expired. But this is the liberty of Gods Spirit to shew us as much of those times, as he thought needful for us. Here we see he passeth from the mention of Rebekahs birth, to the relation of Sarahs death. One mother of the faithful ceaseth, and another is now preparing by whom God maketh good his promise of propagating his church. In this Chapter may be noted three generalls.
1. Sarahs Expiration. ver. 1.2.
2. Abrahams provision for her burial. ver. 3, to 18.
3. Sarahs funeral. ver. 19.20.
In the first general we have to consider these particulars.
1. The term of Sarahs life set down,Ver. 1. — And the lives of Sarah were an hundred years, and twenty years, and seven years, (even) the years of the lives of Sarah — The life of Sarah was 127. years. Sept. — 127. years. Cald. Wherein these terms are considerable. 1. The subject of this history spoken of, 1. By her name Sarah, the wife of Abraham, the mother of the promised seed, a Princess in faith, and renown with God, 2. By her condition viz. Her lives, It is a plural expression here, which hath given occasion to some of vain commenting upon a threefold life in man; but the reason of this plural expression is given better from the true significate of life here, which is not barely life and being in the world, but all the adjuncts and varieties of changes in this time of life, whereof she had experience, being a Companion of Abraham in all his pilgrimage. Somtimes it was a life of faith, somtimes of fear, somtimes of peace, somtimes of trouble; Now her life in respect of all this variety of providence adjoyned, may well be called lives, these lives are here recorded. 2. The duration of these lives asserted, an hundred twenty seven years, and this not onelyonly spoken singly, but once and again; These the years of Sarahs lives. The fable of the Jewes is foolish, about the threefold repetition of years; for it is the usual expression in numbring the years of all the Patriarchs, to adde years still to every number. That to be noted here is, 1. The rarity of this record, this the Spirit doth for Sarah, which is not done for any other woman. 2. The plain sense of it, which is no more but the utmost extent of her life below under all providences, and that she was not taken away untill the promised seed was established by her. 3. The certainty of it in the reiteration, these the lives of Sarah. ver. 1.
Ver. 2.Secondly. Sarahs expiration, wherein are related, 1. Her death, — And Sarah died. (So Sept. and Cald.) that is, yeilded up her Spirit to God who gave it, and left her body for the earth. That she should dye for grief upon sacrificing Isaac, is a fable, her death was twelve years after that trial: but doubtless God then had numbred her dayes, beyond which she must not pass, and at that term of life she expired; ceasing to be with men, that she might be with God. 2. The place of her death set out under two names. 1. Kiriah Arba, In the city of Arboch, Sept. So it was called from Arba, a gyant either the founder or conqueror of it somtimes. Jos. 14, 15.2. Hebron or Chebron in the land of Canaan, which was so called in the time of Moses, and therefore not imposed by Calebs son, at his vanquishing of it. Jos. 14.14. somtimes also, it was known by that name of the plain, grove and city of Mamre. Gen. 13.18.
3. Abrahams lamentation over her, — And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep. — To bewail Sara, and lament. Sept. — Cald. as Hebr. — 1. The mourner here is Abraham, the Lord or husband of Sarah, The father of the faithful, yet he puts not of natural affection, upon such a stroke of God. 2. His motion; He came; It is inquired whence he came? For it is expressed whither, even to the place where Sarah dyed. Some think he came now from Beersheba, and that Sarah was removed before to Hebron, and died in her husbands absence; but it seems improbable that these two companions should now part houses at such a distance; but the thing is not expressed, however I conceive it likely, they had removed back from Beersheba to Hebron again; And that Abraham came now from his own tent to bewail his dead, where she lay in her tabernacle. However no danger in conceiving either way, when things are not revealed. In fine the phrase of comming to lament, is no more than setting himself to lamentation, without any bodily motion. 2. The end of his comming, it was to pay the duty of natural affection to the dead, as to the living he had done. Wherein as acted by Abraham may be noted, 1. The naturalness of this sad posture for the dead. 2. The greatness, in doubling expressions, lament and weep. 3. The goodness of it, as it was (doubtless) ordered, moderated, and directed by faith. It is noted by some, that the writing the middle letter in Bacah, to weep in a smaller character, notes moderation in weeping; but it is a phansy. Abrahams faith giveth better aime to guess at that, then the will of scribes.
Learn thence.
D. 1. One generation goeth as wel as commeth in the Church.
D. 2. The lives of saints with all their changes are numbred, God will not have them to be endless.
D. 3. The times of eminent Saints, such as God thinks meet are numbred somtimes for speciall use. So Sarahs, emphatically. V. 1.
D. 4. Faith exempts not Saints from death, but carrieth them by it unto glory. The mother of the faithfull dieth.
D. 5. Places are designed for death as wel as life.
D. 6. Mourning over dead Saints and relations is not inconsistent with faith.
2. The next generall containeth the history of Abrahams provision for her buriall which was by a new purchase of a burying place: Hereabout are severall discourses. 1. First between Abraham and the Hittites.
In which passage note.
1. Abrahams motion about it unto the inhabitants of that place, Ver. 3.4.
Wherein we read.
1. His stop in his mourning,Ver. 4. — And Abraham rose from before his dead, from upon the faces of his dead. Sept. and Cald. to same. 1. The subject, Abraham the beleeving mourner. 2. His action, he ariseth, doubtless he was sitting or lying in a sad posture before Sarah, but that duty being ordered by faith now he stirrs himself up from immoderate grieving, and put's a stop to naturall affection; not mourning without hope. So sitting note's a posture of sadness as in Jobs friends, and rising a posture of comfort, in many places. 3. The term from whence, is from before his dead, so Sarah is stiled severall times. The relation of saints ceaseth not, though other relations of husband and wife do. She is Abrahams dead now.
2. His bespeaking the inhabitants, wherein. 1. His address to them, — And he spake to the sons of Heth, that is, the Hittites which come from Heth the son of Canaan. Gen. 10.5. — Sept. and Cald. same.Ver. 4. 2. His preface to them humbling himself, — A stranger, and sojourner I with you. So he win's into their affection. He challengeth nothing, but as a stranger present's his desire. So he and the saints of God by faith accounted themselves pilgrims below. Psa. 39. — Heb. 11. This also he urgeth to their humanity to yeild to a stranger. Sept. and Cald. same. 3. His petition to them, — Give me a possession of a grave with you, and I will bury my dead from before me. — Give me a possession with you, &c. Sept. — Cald. as Hebr. 1. The matter desired is a place for buriall, which he would have as his own from them; though he were heir of all, yet he had not a foot in his own possession but this purchase. The time was not yet come. 2. The manner of his request, he desireth it to be given him as to his own peculiar possession, but yet not without the due price, as after. 3. The end of his request, to bury the dead out of his sight; 1. Nature urgeth this according to Gods injunction to give dust to dust. Gen. 3.2. Grace guided him thus to bury by himself, both to separate from the nations in death as well as in life; and to keep possession of the promised land by dead though not yet by living; and mainly to lye together in hope of a resurrection.
As to that conjecture, that Abraham came now from Beersheba to Hebron; to mourn; because he saith I am a stranger. &c. It seemeth not to be concluding. For, 1. So he called himself in every place where he lived, at Beersheba as well as here. 2. He dwelt in this place before he went to Beersheba, and therefore could not be altogether unknown in those parts. 3. In the Hittites answere they acknowledg him to be a mighty Prince among them. It is therefore most probable that there he lived with Sarah when she died, onelyonly by faith call's himself a stranger.
Learn thence.
D. 1. Grace puts bounds to mourning over the dead; so did Abraham, he ariseth. &c. V. 3.
D 2. beleevers loose not relations of faith by dead. Sarah is Abrahams dead now, so saints are stiled Christs deadbody Isai. 26.10.
D. 3. After due mourning surviving saints and relations must take care for buriall of the dead saints.
D. 4. It is not unseemely for saints to bespeake infidels in matters of necessary commerce.
D. 5. The highest saints have accounted themselves the greatest strangers on earth.
D. 6. Saints must live in the world with Hittits though strangers to them.
D. 7. The purchase of a grave is the greatest ambition of Abraham.
D. 8. The graves of believers are singled out unto them; to lye together as live together, is their desire.
D. 9. Though Church and world may have graves alike, their ends are different. V. 4.
2. The Hittits answer to Abraham.
Wherein.
1. The repliers, the children of Heth, or Hittits, Ver. 5.Ver, 5.
2. Their answer, which consists of two parts. 1. Their courteous gratulation,Ver. 6. — Heaus my Lord, thou a Prince of God with us. — Not so sir, hear us, thou art a king from God among us. Sept. — Yeild to us, our Lord, thou art a Prince before God among us, Cald. — The Seaventy make this answer to deny what Abraham meaneth, and to offer somwhat els not directly proposed by him, not so my Lord, as you have proposed it; and indeed look upon Abrahams reply to them again, and it imports, that though their answer were kind, yet it was not full to what Abraham intended: So the Caldee seemeth to imply, yeild to us, and rest in what we shall say, &c.
Herein then note.
1. Their call to Abraham, hear us my Lord, what we shall propose to you in this.
2. Their compellation, agnition of him, thou art — a Prince of God among us, or in the midst of us. — From God. Sept. — Before God. Cald. Such acknowledgment Abimelech gave him before. Now a Prince of God, note's a most excellent, mighty and puissant Lord, set up of God eminently above the rest. So Cedars of God. Psal. 80.11. Mountains of God are expressed, Psal. 36.7. such as are most excellent. So these Hittits esteem Abraham, God had made him so glorious before them. 2. Their concession, wherein are to be noted. 1. The matter granted, not a possession of his owne for burial, as he desired, but a liberty to bury with them in the best of their Sepulchres.
In the choise of our Sepulchres bury thy dead. — Sept. and Cald. to same. — So they give him leave of mingling his family in burial with them, even in the best of their Sepulchres.
2. The assurance given him of this grant, — A man from us shal not with-hold his Sepulchre from thee, from burying thy dead. Sept. and Cald. to same purpose. Wherein is granted. 1. Security from opposition. 2. Liberty to dispose of, and bury his dead, where and when he pleaseth.
Learn from it.
D. 1. Humanity towards the Church, though a stranger, is not inconsistent with Hittits or Canaanits. They give answer. V. 5.
D. 2. Saints who are low in their own eyes, God make's honorable in the esteem of the world.
D. 3. Courtesie make's Hittits propose favors not desired by the Saints. Hear us.
D. 4. Providence so ordereth the Spirits of men, to yeild the best and choisest Sepulchres to the Church.
D. 5. Hittits and unbeleevers are content that Saints should be mingled with them in their graves.
D. 6. Security, and place of burial is granted to strangers by the Law of nature. V. 6.
2. The next passage of discourse is between Abraham and the inhabitants about mediating to Ephron, about this matter of a burying-place. Wherein.
1. Abrahams reply to the Hittits, ver. 7.8.9.Ver. 7. Herein.
1. His demeanor toward them. ver. 7.
And Abraham arose, and bowed himself to the people of the land, to the sonnes of Cheth. — And worshipped — Honored the people, &c. Sept. and Cald. — In his demeanor his actions are two. 1. He arose from the place, where likely he was set, in token of respect unto them. 2. He bowed himself, that is, by way of civill respect towards them, resenting kindly their free proffer and so expressing thankfulness to them. 2. His communication with them. ver. 8.9. Wherein. 1. A repetition of their kind answer.
And he spake with them saying, Ver. 8.if it be with your soul to bury my dead from my face. — If ye have it in your souls, &c. Sept. — If it be the pleasure of your soul, &c. Cald. This he repeats with a thankful mention of it. OnelyOnly the phrase is remarkable, if it be with your soul, that heartily and cordialy ye grant me this. 2. A request unto them for their mediation, wherein note.
1. The work he intreateth. Hear me, and intreat for me, or meet, and intercede for me. 2. The object of this intercession — With Ephron son of Zoar. — Saar. Sept. — Zeor. Cald. ver. 3.
3. The matter of intercession. —
And he shall give, Ver. 9.or that he may give to me, the cave of Macpelah, which is his, which is in the end of his field. — And let him give me the double cave, which is in part of his field. Sept. — The side of his field. Cald. This was all, the making over to Abrahams right that cave, which is called double by the Seventy, but read here by ours as a proper name, it might be double also as some think.
4. The condition mentioned. —
For full silver or mony let him give it to me in the midst of you. — For silver worth it, &c. Sept. — For mony worth. Cald. So he desireth it no otherwise than a purchase, where he profer's 1. A full price. 2. A desire of rendition to him upon this condition. 3. That this be done in the midst of them; which may be taken, either as a testimony of transaction between them, or els may note the circumscription of the place, that which is in the midst of you; so our Translators take it and add it to the last.
5. The end of all this mediation. —
For a possession of a Sepulchre. — Sept. and Cald. same. — That is, that it might be his owne peculiar place for burial of his dead.
Learn hence.
D. 1. Grace teacheth Saints to give due, civill respect to all orders in the world. It makes no clowns. Ver. 7.
D. 2. A just resentment of the worlds kindness becommeth the Saints, though they accept it not.
D. 3. Injust causes Saints may use the intercession of one worldly man to another. V. 8.
D. 4. Conveniency of possession may grace desire of the world without their loss or prejudice.
D. 5. Grace desireth to take away nothing of anothers, but in justice giving what is due for it.
D. 6. Free consent of the owner is to be desired, if it be but for a grave. Ver. 9.
2. Now followeth Ephrons answer to this motion of Abraham. ver. 10.11. Wherein we have to note.
1. His description by his place. —
And Ephron was sitting in the midst of the sonn's of Heth. — Sept. same. — stood, &c. Cald. (1) His dignity by his posture is noted, he was sitting as a chief among them. (2) His presence with them in the assembly. 2. His answer is observable. 1. In the form of it.
1. In word and expression he replieth. Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham saying.
2. In publick before witness, — In the ears of the sonnes of Heth even all that enter the gate of his city; or all that entred the gate then in this solemn assembly. ver. 10.Ver. 10.
2. In the matter of his reply, which containeth.
Ver. 11.1. A correction of Abrahams desire, — Not so my Lord, hear me. — By no means my Lord. Cald. — Be with me Sir, and hear me. Sept. In all Ephron, corrects Abrahams desire, as to purchase it.
2. A concession more free than Abraham desired. 1. In the matter, both the field and the cave; Abraham desired the cave onelyonly. 2. In the freeness of it, I give it thee, without mony, three times is that word here repeated, I give it thee. 3. The evidence of this gift in the eyes of the sonnes of his people; who were witnesses enough.
3. A commission for the end unto which it was desired, — Bury the dead. — Sept. and Cald. same. Where he giveth him full licence, that no more needed of discourse about it, but that this doth not satisfie Abraham, as appears in his further reply.
Learn from it.
D. 1. Men of the world have their place, dignity and respect among their own. So providence allots them for orders sake.
D. 2. God make's great men of the world give answers of peace to good men in their straits.
D. 3. Ingenuity and freedom of Spirit, is comely for a man, much more for a Christian.
D. 4. Gods providence somtimes inlargeth the hearts of men to his people above their expectation. Especially in times of their afflictions as now it was. V. 11.
Thirdly, Now followeth the last discourse between Abraham and Ephron, which compleat's the purchase, wherein.
1. Abrahams proposition made again to Ephron, and thereabout, may be noted.
1. His deportment upon the preceding offer of Ephron. — And Abraham bowed himself, &c. — Worshipped, &c. Sept. and Cald. It was civill reverence as before, now repeated, by him for the repeated kindness of the Hittits, and especially of Ephron. ver. 12.Ver. 12.
2. His motion which now again he maketh to Ephron. Herein note 1. The form of making it. — And he spake unto Ephron in the people of the ears of the land, saying. — Sept. & Cald. to same. 1. It was by word of mouth. 2. It was publick before witness that all might be observed. 2. The matter of his motion, wherein. 1. He supposeth Ephrons former kindness, — But if thou, a short speech, but supposing that he would do him the kindness profer'd. — Because thou art toward me Sept. present with me. — If thou indeed doest good to me Cald. Here he layeth ground for what followeth.
2. He intreateth him. — I would thou would'st hear me. — Hear me. Sept. — Yeeld to me. Cald. viz. In what he was now proposing.
3. He profereth and urgeth to take the worth, — I wil give the silver of the field, take of me, that is, the silver worth the field. Take the silver of the field from me. Sept. — I will give silver for the field Cald. This he presseth without denial.
4. He promiseth acceptance to make use of it. — And I wil bury my dead there. — Sept. and Cald. same. Upon the former condition of burying, thus he accepts a place for burial, and no otherwise. ver. 13.Ver. 13.
2. Ephrons answer as to the price which Abraham desired. ver. 14.15.
Herein. 1. The form of his answer. It was by speech as Abraham proposed to him. — And Ephron answered, &c. ver. 14.Ver. 14. Sept. and Cald. same. 2. The matter of his answer, wherein also.
1.Ver. 15. His reverent bespeaking of him — My Lord heard me. — Not so Sir. Sept. — Yeild to me my Lord. Cald. He reverenceth him that counted himself a stranger.
2. His price mentioned, — The land is of four hundred schekels of silver. — I have heard of four hundred didrachms of silver. Sept. — Which is worth four hundred shekels of silver. Cald. This he proposeth but not exacteth.
3. His slighting of the mony. — Between me and between thee, what is this? — What should this between me and thee? Septu. — Cald. as Hebr.
4. His concession for the burial, — Bury thy dead. (So Sep. and Cal.) Which is no more but a former grant. ver. 15.
3. Abrahams paiment of the price.
Wherein.
1. His yeelding to Ephrons word. — And Abraham hearkned, &c. — Sept. and Cald. same.
2. His payment itself. — And Abraham weighed, &c. — Restored. Sept. Wherein are mentioned.
1. The manner of payment, by weight, not by tale. 2. The measure, 400 Shekels, the price set; what worth these shekells were of, is not agreed, but conceived to amount unto 2s, 6d. a peece: which was called shekel of the sanctuary, because it was there to be a standard for the trial of other weights. These he weighed in full. 3. The evidence of the payment, it was before the children of Heth.
4. The quality of the money. It was, — silver current with the merchant, that is, good and lawful money. The discourses of Ephrons sin in taking money, and the numeral letters in his name to four hundred, are but Cabalistical conceits. Here is a good pattern for buying and selling, no over-reaching, but the price fairly set and paid. So Abraham had this by possession, though God gave him not a foot to inherit as yet, so Stephen relate's it true. Acts 7.5. — Ver. 16.Ver. 16. — Approved to merchants. Sept. — Which was taken for merchandise in every promise, Cald. — 4. The assurance of the purchase made unto Abraham upon payment. Wherein.
1. The matter of purchase rehearsed in particulars.
1. The continent. — The field of Ephron, that which was his possession. Sept. and Cald. 2. The situation, which was in Macpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was therein. Metonymically the field and cave are said to be in each other. — Double cave. Sept. and Cald. 3. The matters contained, and every tree, which was in the field, which was in every bound of it about. Sept. and Cald. to same. 2. The ratification of all, it stood up, or was made to stand, that is, made sure to Abraham for a peculiar possession. — Sept. and Cald. have the same phrase. That is, surely, it was made over and delivered to Abraham as his own purchase. Ver. 17.Ver. 17.
3. The evidence of this confirmation. In the eyes of the children of Heth, among al that go into the gate of his city. — Sept. and Cald. to same. All that were in power, and people present, were witnesses to this purchase. So it could not be denied. And this was conceived to be a token of future possession of the land by Israel. As Jeremiahs purchase was of the return from captivity. ver. 18.Ver. 18. one doubt upon all remaines to be satisfied.
Quest. How may this be reconciled with that text. Act. 7.16. Where it seemeth to be said, that Abraham bought a sepulchre of the sonnes of Emor, &c. If so, how could it be here of Ephron?
Answ. The distinguishing of the sentences rightly will clear this doubt. Stephen had proceeded so far in his relation of Israels ancestors, as to Jacob and the Patriarchs; whose death he mentions. ver. 15.
Their burial he shortly toucheth ver. 16. And indeed the brevity of his report begets this obscurity. The sentence is read all together, which if distinguished according to the light which other scriptures afford, the knot may be untied. The Fathers therefore spoken of, must be divided into two ranks, of which 1. Some were carried or transported from Egypt to Sichem, as Joseph, &c. Jos. 24.32, Here must one distinction be made. 2. Some were put in the sepulchre, which Abraham bought with a price of silver, as Jacob, when he died in Egypt, was carried thither, which was this of the cave of Machpelah, bought at this time of Ephron: now here at the summe of money, ought to be a distinction, 3. That which followeth should be read, besides that, of the sonnes of Emor the Father of Sichem. True it was, that Jacob bought a parcel of a field of Hamor the Father of Sichem for an hundred lambs; in which portion Joseph was buried, &c. But besides this, some of the Fathers were buried in Abrahams purchase, as Jacob, &c. Gen. 49.29. Ch. 50.13. Thus the sense is made plain, and no opposition between Moses and Luke. All the difficulty is about the defect of an article, foreign. The preposition foreign properly signifie's, besides, and supplying that article, which is usual, the sense runneth clearly: that some of the Fathers who came out of Egypt, were laid in Abrahams sepulcher, besides those who were buried in Sichem.
From all that is opened in this passage we may learn.
D. 1. Grace doubleth it's acknowledgments, to the doubled kindness of men. Ver. 12.
D. 2. In matters of kindness and equity, Gods servants should give publick satisfaction unto all they deal with.
D. 3. Grace may limit the offer of common kindness from men though not despise it.
D. 4. In some cases grace may not receive from the world without giving to them.
D. 5. VponUpon just satisfaction made, Gods servants may make use of that which is belonging unto men. Ver. 13. As their possessions.
D. 6. Humanity may teach men to honour and gratifie such as are deserving in the Church, Ver. 14.15.
D 7. Humane ingenuity may be very free, and bountiful to the Saints.
D. 8. Ingenuity may teach men to make less of mony than of deserving friends. Ver. 15.
D. 9. Buying and selling is allowed in matters lawful between the Church and the world.
D. 10. Justice and truth becommeth all men in buying and selling. Few words and true dealing.
D. 11. Grace taketh nothing from any but upon just payment and price. Ver. 16.
D. 12. Nature teacheth men to make good their sale, and bargain to any with the greatest security. Hittits do that.
D. 13. Civil transactions have had in them special significations. Ver. 17.18. This was an earnest of Canaan which his seed was to inherit in due times.
3. The last general followeth. viz. Sarahs funeral, ver. 19.20.
Wherein occurr.
1. The time. — And after then. — Sept. and Cald. to same. That is, after the possession assured.
2. The work performed, — Abraham buried Sarah his wi…e, &c. 1. The subject acting, Abraham the husband. 2. The duty done, he buried Sarah his wife, her, who was called his dead. The work itself onelyonly is expressed, he buried; the formality is silenced, doubtless it was comely, as became her, but pomp and folly was not known at that day nor trophies of vanity in monuments as now. 3. The place. 1. The cave is mentioned wherein she lay. 2. The continent, the field of Macpelah, or double cave of the field. Sept. 3. The situation, before Mamre. 4. The name by which it was known in the time of Moses. The same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. Ver. 19.Ver. 19.
3. The confirmation of the purchase repeated. And the field and the cave which was in it, stood to Abraham, or was made to stand. 1. The matter assu…ed, field and cave. 2. The subject to whome, Abraham. 3. The end for what, for a grave. 4. The act of assurance, it was made to stand. 5. The assurancers, the sonnes of Heth. foreign Sept. — Ver. 20.Ver. 20.
Learn.
D. 1. Just purchase being made, it is just for men to make use thereof.
D. 2. Burial is a duty in the Church as well as in the world.
D. 3. Eminent Saints are renowned by the Spirit in death as well as in life. Ver. 19.
D. 4. Civil assurances are repeated for sacred purposes. Ver. 20.