Four hundred shekels, &c.— Money, and pieces of money, have been mentioned before, but this is the first place in which shekels are mentioned. Prideaux, who has given us the best estimation of Hebrew and Attic coins, reckons a shekel to be equivalent to three shillings of English money; so that the sum, which Abraham paid for his new purchase, will amount to sixty pounds sterling. But what is that, said Ephron politely, betwixt me and thee? this is too inconsiderable a matter to merit attention: pay it, if it please you best; if not, accept the land as my present, and bury your dead.
REFLECTIONS.—Abraham in the land of promise had neither house to cover his head, nor sepulchre to bury his dead: but his present situation obliges him to make application for so needful a place. We have here,
1. His application to the children of Heth. He was a stranger among them, and therefore begs the favour to obtain some small spot for a burying-ground. The beautiful Sarah was now no longer pleasing; she must be hid from his sight. Note; (1.) Death makes strange alterations on the fairest face. (2.) The death of others should remind us of our own; we are but strangers in this world, and sojourners, as all our fathers were. (3.) We should beware of overmuch sorrow, and endeavour on religious principles to alleviate that grief, which, if excessive, may hurt ourselves, but cannot profit the dead.
2. His application is received with the most generous offer of one of the best of their sepulchres. Though he called himself a stranger, they acknowledged him a great prince.
3. Their civility meets with a respectful return. He bowed himself in acknowledgment of the favour. It is our duty to be courteous. He begs them to intercede with Ephron to sell the cave of Machpelah. It is no unlawful coveting to desire to purchase what our neighbour can conveniently spare, and we need.
4. Ephron's generosity. He offers to give it; and when Abraham would fain pay him, he mentions the value in such a way, as intimates his readiness to yield it without any consideration. It was prudent and just in Abraham, who was rich, to press the purchase. We should not needlessly be obliged to others. It was noble in Ephron to offer it: it shewed a contempt of worldly wealth, and a pleasure to oblige Abraham, which manifested how much he valued his friendship. Note; (1.) It is well so to behave, as to make our friendship valued and sought. (2.) We find a generosity often among those who pretend not to Christianity, which is a severe reproach on niggardly professors of it. (3.) Between true friends nothing should be reserved. An union of heart will ever in some sort make community of purse. We shall say, What is that between me and thee?