Genesis 23:8
And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
Genesis 23:8 belongs to Abraham's arrangement to buy a burial place to bury Sarah, his dead, his beloved Sarah, out of his sight. Although God had promised him Canaan, Abraham owned no land there and had to arrange to buy a place for her burial. His lack of present possessions did not cancel his hope of the future, immortal inheritance.
He bowed before the sons of Heth when making his request. He respectfully asked the sons of Heth to intercede with Ephron the son of Zohar on his behalf, to speak with Ephron for him. The request was for the cave as Sarah's burial place. He treated the sons of Heth with courtesy and respect in making the arrangement.
He showed this respect even while grieving, and his grief did not keep him from what was due to his fellow men. This respectful bowing and courteous request is the finest example of the power of true courtesy and of a gentleman who knows what is due from man to his fellow man.