And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
Parallel translations
- WEB Abraham rose up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
- BSB Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites.
- NKJV Then Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth.
- NASB So Abraham stood up and bowed to the people of the land, the sons of Heth.
- NLT Then Abraham bowed low before the Hittites
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Abraham rises and bows respectfully to the people of the land. He deals humbly and graciously even while pressing his request.
Overview
Abraham's bow reflects courtesy and humility in his dealings with his neighbors. The patriarch, honored as a prince, still shows deference. His conduct models integrity and respect in negotiating fairly with others.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Heb 12:14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
- Gen 18:2And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
- Prov 18:24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
- Gen 19:1And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
- Rom 12:17–18Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
- 1 Pet 3:8Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 23:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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