What does Genesis 23:19 mean?

With the official period for mourning for his wife completed (Genesis 23:1–2) and a permanent burial place secured (Genesis 23:13–16), Abraham finally buries Sarah in the "cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre." More importantly, Abraham buried Sarah in the "land of Canaan."

In a sense, this choice to bury Sarah in Canaan was a final renouncement of his former homeland. Until Sarah died and was buried in the land of promise, it was always potentially possible for Abraham to give up on God's promises and "go home." He never did, and his decisive action to buy a burial place for Sarah and himself and their descendants in Canaan showed that he had fully cut his ties to his old life. Canaan, the land of promise, was home for now and for his people forever.