Genesis 23:7 kjv

And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.

Genesis 23:7 nkjv

Then Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth.

Genesis 23:7 niv

Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hittites.

Genesis 23:7 esv

Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land.

Genesis 23:7 nlt

Then Abraham bowed low before the Hittites

Genesis 23 verses

Genesis 23 7 Meaning

Genesis 23:7 describes Abraham's deep reverence and deferential gesture to the local inhabitants of the land, specifically the Hittites. After Sarah's death, Abraham, as a sojourner, needed a burial place. His act of bowing was a profound display of respect and humility, a customary diplomatic and supplicatory posture in the ancient Near East. This action underscores his politeness and strategic approach in seeking to acquire a property from those who held local authority.

Genesis 23 7 Context

Genesis chapter 23 immediately follows the profound event of Abraham offering Isaac in Genesis 22, showcasing Abraham's ultimate faith. The chapter opens with the death of Sarah at Hebron, a moment of profound personal loss for Abraham. Despite God's promise that Abraham's descendants would inherit the entire land of Canaan, Abraham possesses no personal burial plot. Therefore, in a deeply practical and customary act, he seeks to purchase a field with a cave for Sarah's burial. This verse, Gen 23:7, marks Abraham's respectful initiation of negotiations with the local inhabitants, the Hittites (children of Heth), who held authority in that region. His humble approach is a crucial part of securing the desired property, setting a precedent for dignified and lawful engagement with foreign peoples, even when God's greater promise is in play. Historically, the Hittites were known for their sophisticated legal systems and diplomatic protocols, making Abraham's adherence to proper custom essential.

Genesis 23 7 Word analysis

• And Abraham bowed himself:
  • "bowed himself" (Hebrew: vayyištaḥu from the root shachaḥ - שׁחה): This verb means to prostrate oneself, to do obeisance, or to bow down deeply. It's a physical act indicating deep respect, humility, submission, or worship.
  • Significance: Here, it is a gesture of profound deference and respect towards human authority, distinct from worship due only to God, though the same word is often used for both contexts (e.g., Ps 95:6). Abraham, a man who habitually bowed before God (Gen 18:2), applies this weighty gesture to men in a formal, respectful plea. It conveys earnestness and a willingness to conform to societal norms.
  • Knowledge point: Ancient Near Eastern societies often used prostration as a common way to acknowledge the power or status of a superior, or when making a fervent request, indicating extreme politeness and perhaps vulnerability in a petition.
• to the people of the land:
  • "people of the land" (Hebrew: am ha'aretz - עם הארץ): Am (עם) denotes "people" or "nation," and ha'aretz (הארץ) means "the land." It refers collectively to the indigenous inhabitants, possessing a collective voice or authority regarding their territory.
  • Significance: This general term highlights that Abraham sought consensus and cooperation from the local community as a whole, not just a single individual, before specifically addressing their leaders. It emphasizes his awareness of and respect for the communal ownership and legal structures of the land.
• even to the children of Heth:
  • "children of Heth" (Hebrew: la-bene Het - לבני חת): Bene (בני) means "sons of" or "children of." Heth was the second son of Canaan (Gen 10:15), from whom the Hittites are descended. They are a powerful Canaanite subgroup.
  • Significance: This specific identification clarifies "the people of the land." The Hittites were a significant geopolitical power known for their sophisticated legal practices and diplomacy. Abraham's careful and deferential approach acknowledges their status and reinforces his intention to deal lawfully and honorably for the burial plot.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "Abraham bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth": This phrase shows Abraham, God's chosen patriarch, adhering to the societal customs of the Canaanites. His deep bow indicates his humble and tactical posture in a negotiation, essential for successfully obtaining land in a region he was promised but did not yet physically possess. It underscores his peaceful and lawful approach to land acquisition, rather than forceful claim based on divine promise. This blend of faith in God's ultimate plan and pragmatic, respectful engagement with human society characterizes Abraham's wisdom.

Genesis 23 7 Bonus section

• Abraham's action here set a precedent that contrasts with future methods of land acquisition by his descendants. Unlike the later conquest of Canaan, Abraham established a pattern of lawful purchase and respectful coexistence, demonstrating God's people could and should interact ethically with surrounding cultures.
• The "bowing" here is an instance of external politeness and deference in negotiation. It demonstrates that deep respect can be shown even when there are power disparities or distinct spiritual allegiances.
• The fact that Abraham, a nomadic patriarch who "dwelt in tents," needed to acquire a piece of permanent ground, especially for burial, symbolizes his gradual rooting in the promised land. Sarah's burial in the purchased Cave of Machpelah becomes Abraham's first concrete, purchased possession in the Land of Canaan, marking a tangible, albeit limited, fulfillment of the land promise. This physical rootedness begins with an act of humble, respectful engagement.

Genesis 23 7 Commentary

Genesis 23:7 showcases Abraham's exemplary conduct in a time of personal grief. His act of bowing before the Hittites demonstrates not only deep respect and humility but also shrewd diplomatic wisdom. Despite holding God's promise of the entire land, Abraham understood the importance of lawful and peaceful acquisition, particularly for a crucial matter like a burial site. His posture signaled his intent to engage respectfully, acknowledging the local authority and cultural protocols of the "children of Heth." This act established a foundational biblical principle for God's people: to conduct themselves with honor, courtesy, and ethical dealings even when interacting with those outside their covenant or who possess different customs. It serves as a practical lesson in humility, recognizing earthly authority, and seeking peaceful resolutions, even for a righteous man living under God's supreme direction.