Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5125 Parts of the body and clothing  »  5138 bowing

An act of submission before something or someone deemed worthy of honour.

Bowing as an act of submission

Genesis 42:6; 2 Samuel 1:2; Psalm 72:9 See also Genesis 33:3; Genesis 43:26-28; Genesis 49:8; Exodus 11:8; Exodus 18:7; Ruth 2:10; 1 Samuel 2:36; Samuel 24:8; Samuel 25:23; 2 Samuel 15:5; Samuel 18:28; 1 Kings 1:16; 1 Chronicles 21:21; Isaiah 49:23

Bowing before angels

Genesis 18:2 See also Genesis 19:1; Numbers 22:31; Luke 24:5

Bowing before God

Exodus 4:31; 2 Chronicles 20:18; Psalm 95:6 See also Genesis 17:3; Genesis 24:26; Exodus 12:27; Exodus 34:8; Deuteronomy 26:10; Deuteronomy 33:3; 1 Kings 1:47; 2 Kings 17:36; 1 Chronicles 29:20; 2 Chronicles 29:28; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalm 22:27; Isaiah 66:23

Bowing before the temple

Psalm 5:7 The temple represented God's presence. See also Psalm 138:2

Bowing before idols

Exodus 32:8; 2 Kings 17:16; Isaiah 2:8 See also Numbers 25:2; Deuteronomy 29:26; 2 Kings 21:3; 2 Chronicles 25:14; Isaiah 44:17,19; Ezekiel 8:16; Micah 5:13

Bowing before Jesus Christ

Matthew 2:11; Philippians 2:10 See also Matthew 8:2; Matthew 9:18; Matthew 15:25; Matthew 27:29; Mark 5:6; Mark 10:17; Luke 17:16

Bowing as an expression of sorrow

Psalm 35:14; Psalm 145:14 See also Psalm 38:6; Psalm 57:6; Psalm 146:8; Lamentations 2:10

See also

5161  kneeling
5163  legs
5174  prostration
5878  honour
5952  sorrow
5959  submission
8305  meekness
8333  reverence
8469  respect
8622  worship
8768  idolatry