How did the Hittites know that Abraham was chosen by God?

[tonychanyt]

Berean Standard Bible, Gen 23:

5 The Hittites replied to Abraham, 6 “Listen to us, sir. You are God’s chosen one among us. Bury your dead in the finest of our tombs. None of us will withhold his tomb for burying your dead.”

How did the Hittites know that God chose Abraham?

I don't think they did. The Hebrew word was ambiguous:

chosen one
נְשִׂ֨יא (nə·śî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5387: An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist

New International Version:

“Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.”