At this point of the narrative the negotiation begins between Abraham and the Hittites for his purchase of a piece of land. It is important for translators to understand that what the parties actually say is not to be taken at face value but has its meaning in the context of the negotiation, which both parties know will lead to a sale. Note particularly the comments below on the Hebrew word “give,” which can also mean “sell” in a context like this. In a text like this it is important that readers clearly understand the real intentions of the speakers, even if their apparently polite and generous words are reproduced in translation.
I am a stranger and a sojourner among you: stranger translates a word referring to one who is not a native of the country and so a “foreigner,” “alien,” “outsider.” Sojourner translates a word meaning “settler,” one who occupies land but does not own it. The complete idea of both expressions may be stated as “settled foreigner,” “land-using foreigner.” Good News Translation has “foreigner living here among you,” and Bible en français courant “I live as a foreigner among you.” Another possible model is “I live here in your place, but I am a stranger.” As a foreigner Abraham does not own property, and therefore the burial place for Sarah would have to be on another person’s property, unless Abraham can acquire ownership of some land.
Give me is addressed to the Hittites in the plural. The unmarked meaning of the Hebrew word is translated give, but in the context of a business negotiation, it is far more likely to carry the sense of “give for a price” or “sell.” Speiser and Good News Translation have “sell.” Revised English Bible has “make over to me some ground,” that is, “transfer ownership to me.” New Jerusalem Bible says “Let me have,” which indicates a request to purchase.
Property among you for a burying place translates Hebrew “a burial place among you.” Good News Translation translates this as “some land,” and the context makes clear that this is for a burial place.
That I may bury my dead: it should be noted that this expression or similar ones occur almost like a refrain in this chapter. The expression in one form or another is repeated in verses 6 (two times), 8, 11, 13, 15, and in the summary verse 19, in which Sarah’s name is used. Abraham asks that the local Hittite land owners sell him a burial ground so he can bury Sarah, his dead wife. We may translate “Sell me a piece of land where I can bury my dead wife,” “Sell me a burying ground so I can place my dead wife there.”
In some languages it is necessary in this speech for Abraham to speak of his situation first before presenting his request for land; for example, “My wife has died, and so now I want to buy….” This whole verse may also be expressed in indirect speech, as in “… he asked them about buying a small piece of land to bury the body. He had to buy land from them because he was a stranger in their country.”
Out of my sight: one thought regarding this phrase is that a dead body was considered taboo or unclean and needed to be placed out of contact with the living. The dead body must be disposed of by burial. Some English translations use the expression “remove my dead for burial,” which has the sense of disposing of or putting away the dead body. However, the expression “so that I may bury” includes disposing of the body and therefore putting it out of … sight.
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .