Genesis 23:5 Commentary and Bible Study

Though the speakers are said to be the sons of Heth in the plural, a spokesman addresses Abraham on behalf of them all. They speak to him with the utmost respect reminding us of the good reputation that a believer ought to earn from the community, mentioned by Paul as a characteristic required in an elder (1 Timothy 3:7). Without this there is no basis for a testimony to the world. Abraham is addressed here in the most honourable terms. First he is called ‘lord’, a title that recognises a superior. This would not be used of one who was a stranger in the land unless Abraham had conducted himself circumspectly among them and earned their approval. They had clearly been observing him. Then he is called ‘a mighty prince’. The words could be translated ‘a prince of God’, since the Hebrew has one of the names for God here. This is treated as a marginal rendering by the King James Version and most versions use the phrase mighty prince. This is presumably on the basis that it is unlikely that these men would give overt recognition to Abraham’s God. And yet as Calvin says, this expression acknowledges that Abraham has been blessed by God. They perhaps knew the name of Abraham’s God and saw how Abraham had been blessed. Speaking on behalf of them all, this man says that none of them would hold back from giving to Abraham, who was so highly honoured among them, his own burial place. They offer him the best of what they have. Why do they honour him so highly when he owns no land among them and lives as a nomad? Because he conducted himself wisely among them, and he did not appear to be any threat to them; they knew that they could trust his character.