As in Ruth 4 these negotiations are probably conducted while people are seated on the ground. This verse moves the negotiation to the next stage, which must make concrete Abraham’s request.

Rose and bowed to the Hittites: this gesture of courtesy is to thank the Hittites for their as yet vague response and to show respect for their consideration of Abraham as a great man. Bowed means to bend the body forward from the hips, not a mere bowing of the head.

People of the land: the Hittites were the people who lived in the area of Hebron. They are the native population and the landowners. Good News Translation does not refer to them by this expression. We may say “who lived in the area,” “who were the native citizens,” “who were the local people.”

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 .