He lifted up his eyes and looked: this event may constitute the main clause, following the setting given in verse 1 if Good News Translation is used as a model. Lifted up his eyes is a Hebrew idiom that has been retained in formal translations like Revised Standard Version (see its use in 13.10, 14). Note, however, that New Revised Standard Version, with Good News Translation and many others, says “he looked up.” In some languages it is important to give the direction of looking; so we may say, as one translation does, “He looked toward the road and saw….”
And behold, three men stood in front of him: behold is as in 1.31. The narrator does not explain how the three men came. They are mysteriously and suddenly in Abraham’s presence. This is the narrator’s way of suggesting to the reader who they are. For a similar appearance before Joshua, see Josh 5.13. In some languages it may be necessary or desirable to fill in what the Hebrew text does not say directly here, that “Abraham did not see them coming, but [suddenly] they were there, standing….”
Nearly all the translations consulted speak of three “men” or “visitors.” 19.1 speaks of two of them as “angels” or “messengers,” and so it is understood that one of the visitors is Yahweh, the LORD. Some translators make this clear at the beginning of the story. Throughout chapter 18 the narrator always uses “the LORD” in reference to God. Abraham, on the other hand, addresses God as ʾadonai, which is translated “Lord” by Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation. In other words, the narrator knows that the visitor is Yahweh, while Abraham is not clearly given this information, and so he addresses the visitor with the equivalent of “sir,” which can be understood also as a reference to God.
Translations vary considerably in the handling of in front of. Bible en français courant says “not far from him,” New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible “near him,” New International Version “nearby,” Good News Translation “standing there,” Revised English Bible “over against him,” Moffatt “before him,” Speiser “beside him.” We can assume that the visitors are close by, but in the next sentence Abraham runs to meet them. Therefore the distance indicated by the term used here should be consistent with Abraham’s next action.
When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them: the narrator does not hesitate to picture the ninety-nine-year-old Abraham dashing off to greet his visitors. The word translated ran is used of animals as well as people. This act sets in motion the events of Middle Eastern hospitality that follow, and it contrasts significantly with the stillness of the opening setting. The action of running is not so important in this context as the haste or urgency that it represents. So Speiser translates “rushed from,” New International Version and Revised English Bible “hurried from.” In some translations the urgency is expressed by saying “When he saw them, immediately he got up and….”
From the tent door repeats the thought of Gen 18.1. Note that Good News Translation does not repeat these words but says only “ran out.” Meet them means to go where the strangers are in order to receive or welcome them. This may be expressed in some languages as “… he ran to them and said ‘Good day’ to them.”
And bowed himself to the earth: this statement describes Abraham as greeting the strangers by bowing down on the ground before them. The gesture is similar to that mentioned in 17.3, 17, but as the next verse shows, its purpose is to respect or recognize the superior rank of the visitors, not to worship them. It is “the Eastern mode of respectful salutation” (Driver). See also 33.3; 42.6; Ruth 2.10.
In languages in which such a greeting gesture is unknown, it may be necessary to say, for example, “Abraham bowed himself to the ground to show that he accepted them,” “he bowed right down as a sign of respect…,” or “he knelt and touched his forehead to the ground to welcome them.”
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 .