← Back to Search

Genesis 23:7

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

Abraham stood up and bowed respectfully to the people of the land, specifically to the Hittites.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Abraham shows deep respect and humility by bowing to the local Hittite people as he seeks to buy land from them.

📚 Historical Context

In the book of Genesis, Abraham is living as a foreigner in the land of Canaan after the death of his wife Sarah, and he is seeking to buy a burial cave from the Hittites, who were the indigenous people there. This act of bowing reflects the cultural customs of the ancient Near East, where showing respect through gestures like bowing was essential for negotiating and maintaining peaceful relations. Abraham's behavior demonstrates his wisdom in honoring local leaders while fulfilling his needs as a patriarch of faith.

Ask the AI Assistant

Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.

Share or Save