2 Chronicles 20:18
New International Version
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.

New Living Translation
Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD.

English Standard Version
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.

King James Bible
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

New King James Version
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

NASB 1995
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

NASB 1977
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping Him.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Jehoshaphat knelt low with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.

American Standard Version
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, worshipping Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Jehoshaphat bowed low to the ground and everyone worshiped the LORD.

English Revised Version
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face touching the ground. Everyone from Judah and the people who lived in Jerusalem immediately bowed down in front of the LORD.

Good News Translation
Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshiped the LORD.

International Standard Version
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the assembled inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem fell face down in the LORD's presence and worshipped the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.

NET Bible
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face toward the ground, and all the people of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD and worshiped him.

New Heart English Bible
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

World English Bible
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jehoshaphat bows—face to the earth—and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem have fallen before YHWH, to bow themselves to YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehoshaphat boweth -- face to the earth -- and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem have fallen before Jehovah, to bow themselves to Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehoshaphat will bow down the face to the earth: and all Judah and those inhabiting Jerusalem fell before Jehovah to worship to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Josaphat, and Juda, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell flat on the ground before the Lord, and adored him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jehoshaphat, and Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell prone on the ground before the Lord, and they adored him.

New American Bible
Then Jehoshaphat knelt down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD in worship.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and worshipped; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yehoshaphat fell on his face on the ground, and he bowed and all the house of Yehuda, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down, and they bowed before LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Josaphat bowed with his face to the ground with all Juda and the dwellers in Jerusalem, and they fell before the Lord to worship the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Prophecy of Jahaziel
17You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’ ” 18Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him. 19And the Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, shouting in a very loud voice.…

Cross References
Psalm 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

Nehemiah 8:6
Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

Exodus 4:31
and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.

1 Kings 18:39
When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!”

Revelation 7:11
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God,

Philippians 2:10-11
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Genesis 24:26
Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD,

Joshua 5:14
“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?”

1 Samuel 1:28
I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

1 Chronicles 29:20
Then David said to the whole assembly, “Bless the LORD your God.” So the whole assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers. They bowed down and paid homage to the LORD and to the king.

Luke 17:16
He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan.

Acts 10:25-26
As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him. / But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

Revelation 4:10
the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

Matthew 28:9
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.


Treasury of Scripture

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

bowed his head

2 Chronicles 7:3
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Genesis 24:26
And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

Exodus 4:31
And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.

fell before

Job 1:20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Psalm 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Jump to Previous
Bow Bowed Boweth Earth Face Fallen Falling Fell Ground Head Inhabitants Jehoshaphat Jehosh'aphat Jerusalem Judah Themselves Worship Worshiping Worshipping
Jump to Next
Bow Bowed Boweth Earth Face Fallen Falling Fell Ground Head Inhabitants Jehoshaphat Jehosh'aphat Jerusalem Judah Themselves Worship Worshiping Worshipping
2 Chronicles 20
1. Jehoshaphat, invaded by Moab, proclaims a fast
5. His prayer
14. The prophecy of Jahaziel
20. Jehoshaphat exhorts the people, and sets singers to praise the Lord
22. The great overthrow of his enemies
26. The people, having blessed God at Berachah, return in triumph
31. Jehoshaphat's reign
35. His convoy of ships, according to the prophecy of Eliezer, unhappily perishes.














Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown
The act of bowing facedown is a profound expression of humility and submission. In Hebrew, the word for "bowed" is "kara," which conveys the idea of bending the knee or prostrating oneself. This physical act symbolizes a heart posture of reverence and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. Jehoshaphat, as king, demonstrates leadership not through pride or self-reliance but through humble submission to God. This act sets a powerful example for the people, showing that true leadership is rooted in recognizing one's dependence on the divine.

and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem
The inclusion of "all the people of Judah and Jerusalem" highlights the unity and collective faith of the nation. Historically, Judah and Jerusalem were the heart of the Southern Kingdom, and their joint participation in worship signifies a communal acknowledgment of God's authority. This unity in worship is a testament to the power of shared faith and the importance of community in spiritual practices. It reflects the biblical principle that when God's people come together in unity, their collective worship becomes a powerful force.

fell down before the LORD
The phrase "fell down" is translated from the Hebrew word "naphal," which means to fall or to be cast down. This action is not merely physical but also spiritual, indicating a surrender to God's will. Falling down before the LORD is an act of worship that signifies total submission and recognition of God's majesty and power. It is a reminder that in times of crisis or uncertainty, the appropriate response is to humble oneself before God, trusting in His wisdom and strength.

to worship Him
Worship, in this context, is derived from the Hebrew word "shachah," meaning to bow down or prostrate oneself. Worship is not just an act of singing or praying but a lifestyle of reverence and adoration towards God. This verse emphasizes that worship is the ultimate response to God's presence and intervention. It is an acknowledgment of His holiness and a declaration of His worthiness. Worship is central to the believer's life, serving as a reminder of God's faithfulness and a source of strength and encouragement in times of need.

(18) Bowed his head.--The king "bowed, face earthward," and the people prostrated themselves upon their faces, both "to do worship to Jehovah." (Comp. Leviticus 9:24; Joshua 5:14; 1Chronicles 21:16; Exodus 34:8.)

Verse 18. - The infinite relief to the mind of Jehoshaphat and his people finds now fit expression in simple adoration. Would that such first gratitude were but sustained to the end more frequently than it is common to find the case!

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Jehoshaphat
יְהוֹשָׁפָ֛ט (yə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3092: Jehoshaphat -- 'the LORD has judged', the name of a number of Israelites

bowed
וַיִּקֹּ֧ד (way·yiq·qōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6915: To shrivel up, contract, bend the body, in deference

with his face
אַפַּ֖יִם (’ap·pa·yim)
Noun - md
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

to the ground,
אָ֑רְצָה (’ā·rə·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י (wə·yō·šə·ḇê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֞ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

fell down
נָֽפְלוּ֙ (nā·p̄ə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to worship
לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֖ת (lə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wōṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

Him.
לַיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


Links
2 Chronicles 20:18 NIV
2 Chronicles 20:18 NLT
2 Chronicles 20:18 ESV
2 Chronicles 20:18 NASB
2 Chronicles 20:18 KJV

2 Chronicles 20:18 BibleApps.com
2 Chronicles 20:18 Biblia Paralela
2 Chronicles 20:18 Chinese Bible
2 Chronicles 20:18 French Bible
2 Chronicles 20:18 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Chronicles 20:18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 20:17
Top of Page
Top of Page