I am offering this as an explanation, and am unsure if it is mentioned by the meforshim.

The English translation of the word is, "And he appeared" and it is used several times with regard to HaShem appearing to humans.

It also seems to me that when HaShem appears to humans it is to affect them in some way, but this happens relatively infrequently, even to the Avot.

Therefore, can this lend weight to the idea of what is termed 'hester panim' - that G-d 'hides' His face and only openly affects human history at infrequent times? The normal state of affairs is that this world continues in its natural state unless willed otherwise by G-d.

This could also explain the verse in Tehillim, "The Heavens are to HaShem, and the earth has been given to mankind."

Incidentally, hester panim is one 'explanation' of how seemingly bad things happen in the world.