Then Abraham bowed down: we may assume that Abraham has remained standing before the Hittites since he stood up and bowed in Gen 23.7. As in verse 7, his bow is again a gesture expressing appreciation for Ephron’s offer. Such an offer would not likely be made to someone who could not pay the price of the field. Good News Translation “But” suggests that verse 12 is in contrast to something in verse 11. However, Abraham bows again, and the translation should signal a repeated act; for example, “Then Abraham bowed again.”

See verse 7 for people of the land.

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 .