Genesis 23:4 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

The privilege of burial hath been always sought and prized by all nations, whom nature and humanity teacheth to preserve the bodies of men, which have been the temples of reasonable and immortal souls, from contempt and violation; so especially by Christians, as a testimony and pledge of their future resurrection. See Numbers 33:4 Deuteronomy 31:23 Job 5:26. For which cause Abraham desires a distinct burying-place separated from the pagan people. With you, in Canaan. There he, and after him other patriarchs, earnestly desired to be buried, upon this account, that it might confirm their own and their children's faith in God's promise, and animate their children in due time to take possession of the land. See Genesis 25:9, Genesis 47:29,30 50:13,25 Exo 13:19 Hebrews 11:22. That I may bury my dead out of my sight; so she that before was the desire of his eyes, Ezekiel 24:16, is now, being dead, become their torment.