Biblical Bowing

Going Beyond General Submission on into Restoring Forgotten Extremist Bowing-Reverence

 

Part of a 3-Part Series: (1) “Family Commands”; (2) “Submission”; (3) “Biblical Bowing

 

Josiahs Scott, Josiahs@trueconnection.org, www.TrueConnection.org

2/5/12-2/9/12; 2/22/12; 2/24/12; 3/8/12; 9/15/12; 9/22/12-9/24/12; Foot Washing and Foot Kissing: 6/10/13; 7/11/13; 7/12/13-7/13/13; 9/13/13; 3/17/16; 11/23/17; 8/11/23

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Contents

Basic Introductory Considerations. 2

Basic Words. 3

Face the Facts: It is Biblical to Bow to People Sometimes. 4

Two Initial, Exciting Examples of Bowing! 5

Humanism Hates what Humility Honors. 5

The Many Examples of When to Bow to People. 6

Bowing to a King – By Subjects & Conquered Enemies. 6

In Obedience to an Order 6

Harsh Judgment 6

Bitter Oppression. 7

A Wife to Her Husband-King. 7

Bowing to Father, Father-in-law, & Grandfather 7

Bowing to Brother & Relatives. 7

Bowing to Women. 8

Bowing to Honor Guests. 8

Bowing To One From Whom You Need Mercy or to Request Favor 8

When You Desperately Need to Repent! 8

Deep Gratitude for Great Mercy, Help, and Kindness. 9

Mourning. 11

In Recognition of Spiritual Authority. 12

Bowing to Jesus is Not Inherently About Bowing to God. 12

Bowing Boundaries. 14

Summary Examples We Should Already Know by Now.. 14

Bowing to Angels Can Be Good, But NOT as gods. 14

Don’t Bow to People as gods. 16

Mat_23 – You Are All Brothers. 17

Don't  Bow Before the Wicked, But they Should Bow Before the Righteous. 17

Bowing to Real, New Testament, Disciples is Sometimes Appropriate. 18

Under the Conviction of Prophecy. 19

False, Fleshly Jews to Real (Gentile) Disciples. 19

Repenting Guard to Paul and Silas. 19

Jesus’ Special New Testament Bowing COMMAND: Foot-Washing! 19

Foot Washing and Foot Kissing. 20

Adoration of Feet Connected with the Gospel 20

Abigail & Marry of Bethany. 21

The Early Church Took these things Deeply to Heart, to DO Them! 21

Abigail 21

Marry of Bethany. 21

Bowing Summaries and Applications. 22

Be Sensitive and Perceptive Before Bowing. 22

Summaries of When Not to Bow to People. 22

Summaries of When to Bow to People. 22

Last Thoughts. 22

 

 

Basic Introductory Considerations

Please consider these thoughts before we talk about Biblical Bowing

 

·        This is a “specialty Bible study.” It may not directly address the largest problems in society, but it can sure help in the few particular cases where it is especially needed

·        This is a specialized tool for the tool belt of righteousness, and while it may or may not be something you use every day, it is something extremely powerful when the appropriate time comes

 

·        The Word “worship” is mostly an English word that is not really used in the Bible (except for a few specific passages that discuss things like “fear”/ “reverence”/ doing an orderly service).

·        The real words behind “worship” are usually words that describe “bowing”.

·        When KJV says “he bowed and worshiped him” the Greek is not inherently implying an idea of attributing divinity (unless the context demands that idea).

 

·        This teaching is aggressively antagonistic directly in the face of humanism, which means it is greatly contrary to Protestantism.

·        It promotes a fervent, zealous reverence that opposes the staunch pride and liberal slavery in our modern culture

·        No body today likes “humiliating themselves” and bowing, especially on your face!

·        churches say you are committing idolatry

·        Over in fabulous ghettos they started flipping their head up instead of tipping their head down when greeting their “boys,” (oh, they are so poor over in the ghetto aren’t they!)

·        Overtly humanistic pagans burn with anger when someone is “dehumanized” (but how does that compare to Jesus reducing a foreign woman to a “dog”?)

·        Humanism supposedly raises the level of “Fellow Humans”, but the Biblical humility of bowing (in Greek) reduces you to an adoring dog!

·        We are convinced that there is something completely inappropriate and shameful about this “barbaric practice”, but whose right?

·        We think it destroys our “inner child” because it is plainly anathema to self-esteem and self confidence

·        It is something we all know that humans once did, but now humanism scorns with bitter opposition

·        We know it was extravagantly humble for some people at some time, but no one today would ever even think of doing it in our modern context

·        About all we have left today is “hanging the head” in shame, but even that is considered “weak” and undesirable

·        It is a deeply troubling thing when the ambition to never suppress anyone else becomes a social norm to never let your own self be suppressed.

 

“The idea of falling on our face before someone is foreign to Americans. We don’t even prostrate ourselves to our president. But this is because we view everyone as equals, even if they carry greater power.”

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVSermons/WorshipOfGod.htm

Retrieved 2/9/12

 

And, as it is typical when dealing with Protestants, one Catholic said,

 

“…My friend keeps bringing up that, in the Bible, the Lord says to bow to no man except God or Jesus…”

http://www.cpats.org/_webpostings/Answers/2010_04APR/2010AprAreThesePracticesWrong.cfm

Retrieved 2/9/12

 

Our independent nonsense is shameful and ridiculous. Let’s learn Truth so we can definitely repent in this area.

 

Basic Words

 

H7812 – Bowing Before Someone (lit. Sharp Walls + Man with Raised Arms)

שׁחה (“ָשָׁחה”), (shâchâh) – this appears to always have the idea of physically bowing down. The Hebrew pictures imply getting low before a man with his arms raised (a lord or a ruler).

 

H7817 – A Related Bow-Word

שׁחח shâchach shaw-khakh'

Strong: “A primitive root; to sink or depress (reflexively or causatively): - bend, bow (down), bring (cast) down, couch, humble self, be (bring) low, stoop.”

 

It comes from another more basic, primary word:

 

H7807 – Getting Lower (lit. Sharp Walls)

שׁח shach shakh

“From H7817; sunk, that is, downcast: -  + humble.”

 

AHLB’s Take on H7807

1468) Hs% (Hs% ShHh) ac: Sink co: Pit ab: ?: The pictograph s is a picture of the teeth representing sharpness, the h is a picture of wall. Combined these mean "sharp walls". A pit dug into the ground for the purpose of trapping someone or something. To go down or sink down as going into the pit.

 

We see that the main Hebrew word behind bowing (H7812) comes from a more basic word which figuratively means to get low (H7807).

 

The pictures that are associated with each letter are as follows:

(1) “שׁ” – two sharp (pressing) teeth

(2) “ח” – tent wall (outside, divide, half)

(3) “ה” – arms raised (look, reveal, breath)

 

Is this: raising your arms, “halving” your body, by bowing, and pressing your two arms on the ground?

 

H5186 – Bow/Bend/Stretch Out

נטה nâṭâh naw-taw'

“A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of applications: -  + afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield.”

 

H3766 – Kneeling

 

Strong’s

כּרע kârakaw-rah'

“A primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication to sink, to prostrate: - bow (down, self), bring down (low), cast down, couch, fall, feeble, kneeling, sink, smite (stoop) down, subdue, X very.”

 

H86 – Another (Rarer) Kneel Word

אברך 'abrêk ab-rake'

“Probably an Egyptian word meaning kneel: - bow the knee.”

 

Also see

Ecc_12:3 – H5791

Mic_6:6 – H3721 Curve Down (before God)

 

Incomplete numbers used to exclude in search: H5791 H7812 H7807 H3766 H5456 H7198 G5115 H5186

 

H5456 – To Fall Down

 

Strong’s

סגד sâgad saw-gad'

“A primitive root; to prostrate oneself (in homage): - fall down.”

 

>> Mat_7:27: πτῶσις G4431

 

G4352 – Kiss Toward

 

προσκυνέω (proskuneō) – lit. toward dog-licking; Note: a κύων (kuōn) is a dog! (see G2965); implies bowing of some kind, as if to “lick” (or adore) the hand of a master.

 

This bowing, is quite literally specified as ‘face upon ground’ in Gen_48:12, (which is one of our first examples given below).

 

For the licking/ kissing connotations, see: Exo_18:7; 1Sa_20:41 (~kissing received 2Sa_14:33; 2Sa_15:5)

 

Strong’s Says

“From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): - worship.”

 

προσκυνέω

“The ancient oriental (especially Persian) mode of salutation between persons of equal ranks was to kiss each other on the lips; when the difference of rank was slight, they kissed each other on the cheek; when one was much inferior, he fell upon his knees and touched his forehead to the ground or prostrated himself, throwing kisses at the same time toward the superior. It is this latter mode of salutation that Gr. writers express by proskunéō.” (Word Study [which is a heretical resource] on G4352)

 

Face the Facts: It is Biblical to Bow to People Sometimes

We all should already know that we should bow before God* since all over the world this basically goes without saying. But did you know that the Bible very powerfully shows us that we sometimes should bow before people? Let us abandon our religious and wicked ideals and courageously submit to this very helpful truth!

 

[* For a few example passages on bowing to God, see our “Prayer Lists” Bible study]

 

Two Initial, Exciting Examples of Bowing!

Remember to ask yourself: Have you ever seen scenes like this in modern christianity?

 

Gen_48:12 CAB  And Joseph brought them... and they bowed down [MT: bowed himselfH7812 – ; LXX: προσεκύνησαν – lit. kissed (like a dog) toward; same word as “worshipped”] to him [i.e. Jacob, Joseph's father], *with their face to the ground [* ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς].

 

>> 1Sa_25:23

 

1Sa_25:40-41 CAB  So the servants [οἱ παῖδες – the boys] of David came to Abigail to Carmel [i.e. after her husband was dead (1Sa_25:37-39)], and spoke to her, saying, David has sent [ἀπέστειλεν] us to you, *to take you to himself for a wife [* λαβεῖν σε αὐτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα].  41  And she arose [ἀνέστη], *and bowed down with her face to the earth [* προσεκύνησεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον], and said, Behold, your servant [δούλη] *is for a handmaid [* εἰς παιδίσκην – into a girl], to wash the feet of your servants [παίδων – boys].

 

Have you ever considered that the Bible promotes a woman bowing to a man when receiving a proposal, but we expect a man to bow (on one knee) to a woman? Wake up! We are missing something!

    Somehow this seems like a much different marriage proposal than we are used to seeing. Have you ever considered or cared about the fact that the Bible presents to us an authoritative culture far superior to our own? Have you ever been courageous enough to imitate them and their faith as the Scriptures command us (Heb_6:12; Heb_13:7)? If these things are in the Bible, why aren’t they ever promoted or even allowed in church?

 

Humanism Hates what Humility Honors

Our foolish cultures hate humility and despise such great and righteous subjection as these passages have shown. These “bowing” scenes would typically be illegal and considered outlandish, and even “cultish” in most modern American churches today, but let me ask you bluntly: when is the last time you even thought about bowing down to another human with your face to the ground? If it is in the Bible, then why is it never in church? – this bowing is not “idolatry” as religious people protest – this is the BIBLE! The reason we, in our modern cultures, do not like such bowing is because we are infested with the shameful foolishness of humanism and hate Jesus and do not know God. We hate everything to do with authority and subjection, as it says,

 

2Pe_2:10 CAB  ...those who walk after [ὀπίσω] the flesh... despise authority [κυριότητος καταφρονοῦντας]...

>> update submission

 

(see also Jud_1:7-8)

 

If you disapprove of bowing down to people in the proper context (as described here), then repent and tremble at the authority of God who has glorified such blessed displays of humility.

    Let us go beyond the standard, common, every-day, conventional, regular, generic claims of “submission” and let us take a hold of something that our shameful cultures have forgotten!

 

The Many Examples of When to Bow to People

 

Bowing to a King – By Subjects & Conquered Enemies

It may not be practical to list all of the examples of this, but here are a few

…5/20/16-5/21/16; 5/28/16; 8/11/23

 

Gen_37, Gen_42-43 – Joseph’s dreams and fulfillments (esp., for example, Gen_37:7, Gen_37:9; Gen_43:26, Gen_43:28, Gen_50:18 MT)

 

Gen_43:26 KJV+  And when JosephH3130 cameH935 home,H1004 they broughtH935 him(H853) the presentH4503 whichH834 was in their handH3027 into the house,H1004 and bowed themselvesH7812 to him to the earth.H776

Gen_43:26 LB And Joseph entered into the house, and they brought him the gifts which they had in their hands, into the house; and they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.

Gen_43:26  Εἰσῆλθεν δὲ Ιωσηφ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν, καὶ προσήνεγκαν αὐτῷ τὰ δῶρα, ἃ εἶχον ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν, εἰς τὸν οἶκον καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.

Gen 43:28 KJV+  And they answered,H559 Thy servantH5650 our fatherH1 is in good health,H7965 he is yetH5750 alive.H2416 And they bowed down their heads,H6915 and made obeisance.H7812

Gen 43:28 And they said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And he said, “Blessed be that man by God”—and they bowed, and prostrated themselves.

Gen 43:28  οἱ δὲ εἶπαν Ὑγιαίνει ὁ παῖς σου ὁ πατὴρ ἡμῶν, ἔτι ζῇ. καὶ εἶπεν Εὐλογητὸς ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος τῷ θεῷ. καὶ κύψαντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ.

 

 

Gen 44:14 KJV+  And JudahH3063 and his brethrenH251 cameH935 to Joseph'sH3130 house;H1004 for heH1931 was yetH5750 there:H8033 and they fellH5307 beforeH6440 him on the ground.H776

Gen 44:14 LB And Judah and his brothers came in to Joseph, while he was yet there, and fell on the ground before him.

Gen 44:14  Εἰσῆλθεν δὲ Ιουδας καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ πρὸς Ιωσηφ ἔτι αὐτοῦ ὄντος ἐκεῖ καὶ ἔπεσον ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.

 

 

2Sa_14:4

2Sa_14:22

2Sa_14:33

2Sa_24:20

1Ki_1:23 – Prophet (Nathan) bows before King (David)

1Ch_21:21

Isa_45:14

Isa_45:23 compare: Rom_14:11

Isa_49:23

1Sa_24:8 – David to Saul

2Sa_1:2 – Messenger in great sorrow

(Jdg_5:27Sisera dead before Jael)

(2Sa_19:14 – David bowed their hearts by kind words)

2Sa_24:20

1Ki_1:51-53 – Rebellious Adonijah to his brother-King Solomon

2Ch_24:17 – the princes of Judah

2Sa_19:18

Mat_2:2, Mat_2:11 – A Baby King (who is also God)

Mat_18:26 – be patient and I will pay back…

 

2Sa_15:5 – Minimizing it in deceptive flattery (undermined such subjection)

Also see: “every man to his tent…”

 

In Obedience to an Order

2Sa_18:21 – a man dismissing himself from Joab

 

Harsh Judgment

Psa_69:23  CAB Let their eyes be darkened that they should not see; and bow down their back continually.

 

Rom_11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and their back always be bowed down."

 

Bitter Oppression

Isa_51:23

Psa_10:10 

Psa_17:11

Psa_57:6

 

Isa_51:23 CAB  And I will give it into the hands of them that injured you, and them that afflicted you; who said to your soul, Bow down, that we may pass over; and you laid your body to the ground to them passing by outside.

 

A Wife to Her Husband-King

 

1Ki_1:16

 

1Ki_1:31 CAB  And Bathsheba bowed [ἔκυψεν – i.e. bent forward] *with her face to the ground, and paid homage [* ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ προσεκύνησεν] to the king, and said, Let my lord King David live forever.

 

That woman is so godly… she is STILL* bowing to David even after she is married to him!

 

[* Recall: 1Sa_25:23 (after Nabal’s great sin); 1Sa_25:40-41 (after David proposed marriage) – these were covered at the beginning]

 

Est_8:3-4 CAB  And *she spoke yet again to [* προσθεῖσα ἐλάλησεν πρὸς] the king, *and fell at his feet [* προσέπεσεν πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ], and beseeched him to do away the mischief [κακίαν] of Haman, and all that he had done against the Jews.  4  Then the king stretched out to Esther the golden scepter; and Esther arose to stand near [παρεστηκέναι] the king.

 

Bowing to Father, Father-in-law, & Grandfather

 

Gen_48:12 – Joseph and sons to Jacob (as seen at the Beginning)

(compare MT with Solomon to mother)

 

2Sa_14:33 – Absalom to David

 

Exo_18:7 CAB  And Moses went forth to meet [συνάντησιν] his father-in-law [γαμβρῷ], and bowed down ροσεκύνησεν] and kissed [ἐφίλησεν] him, and they embraced [ἠσπάσαντο] each other, and he brought them [εἰσήγαγεν] into [εἰς] the tent.

 

Bowing to Brother & Relatives

 

Gen_27:19-30 – Isaac’s Blessing intended for Jacob (and others) to bow to Esau (which eventually became Esau to Jacob)

Gen_33:3 – Jacob to Esau (seven times!)

Gen_33:6-7 – Jacob’s family to Esau

Gen_49:8 – Judah’s brothers to him

 

1Ki_1:51-53 – Rebellious Adonijah to his brother-King Solomon

 

Bowing to Women

Although bowing to women is not typical (because women are not natively in a place of authority), there are certainly cases where it may be appropriate:

 

Jdg_5:27Sisera dead before Jael

 

1Ki_2:13 – Son Adonijah to his Step mother, Queen Bathsheba (Although this was for a bad purpose, it still appears to be socially correct as can be seen in the example to Saul to Samuel – although he was wrong, his posture was still correct)

 

(1Ki_2:19 – The MT has a description of Solomon also bowing to his Queen mom, but the LXX says, “κατεφίλησεν” – intensely kissed down)

 

Est_7:8 CAB  and Haman had fallen upon the bed, begging the queen [Esther]

 

Bowing to Honor Guests

…3/17/16

 

Gen_18:2 – Abraham before the three “men”

 

Gen_19:1 WEB  The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. *He bowed himself [in Hebrew and Greek (CAB: “worshipped”)] with his face to the earth [* προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν],

 

Hospitality is something serious in the Bible!

 

Bowing To One From Whom You Need Mercy or to Request Favor

1Sa_20:41 – David to Jonathan

1Sa_25:23 – Abigail to David (after Nabal’s great sin)

(1Sa_24:8 – David to Saul)

(1Sa_2:36 – in a bad sense)

1Ch_21:16 – David and the elders before the judging angel

Mat_18:26 – be patient and I will pay back…

 

Est_7:8 CAB  and Haman had fallen upon the bed, begging the queen [Esther]

 

2Sa_14:4 CAB  So the woman of Tekoa went in to the king and fell upon her face to the earth, and bowed down before him, and said, Help, O king, help.

 

>> begging before kings when life is on the line

 

When You Desperately Need to Repent!

>> David Saul

Fell face

 

2Sa_19:18-20 CAB  And Shimei the son of Gera fell on his face before the king, as he went over the Jordan,  19  and said to the king, Let not my lord now impute iniquity, and remember not all the iniquity of your servant in the day in which my lord went out from Jerusalem, so that the king should mind it.  20  For your servant knows that I have sinned; and behold, I have come this day before all Israel and the house of Joseph, to go down and meet my lord the king.

 

Note: even with all of this, Shimei did not repent unto life: 1Ki_2:36-46 (just as it was with Adonijah: 1Ki_1:53; 1Ki_2:25), (see the sorrow according to God vs. the world: 2Co_7:9-11)

 

Vicariously: 1Sa_25:23 – Abigail to David (after Nabal’s great sin)

 

Deep Gratitude for Great Mercy, Help, and Kindness

Gen_23:7, Gen_23:12 – Abraham needing help burring Sarah

 

After Boaz was kind to Ruth by providing a chance to find food and safety, she was filled with gratitude…

 

Rth_2:10 CAB  And she fell upon her face, and bowed down to the ground, and said to him, How is it that I have found grace in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, seeing that I am a stranger?

>> Sync: BOW | Lux

 

1Sa_25:40-41 – Abigail to David (after David proposed marriage)

 

2Sa_9:3-9 CAB  And the king said, Is there yet a man left of the house of Saul, that I may act towards him with the mercy of God? And Ziba said to the king, There is yet a son of Jonathan, lame in his feet.  4  And the king said, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo Debar.  5  And King David went, and took him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo Debar.  6  And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul came to the King David, and *he fell upon his face and bowed down before him [* ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ]. And David said to him, Mephibosheth; and he said, Behold your servant.  7  And David said to him, Fear not, for I will surely deal mercifully with you for the sake of Jonathan your father, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul the father of your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.  8  And Mephibosheth bowed down ροσεκύνησεν] and said, Who am I your servant, that you have looked upon a dead dog like me?  9  And the king called Ziba the servant of Saul, and said to him, All that belonged to Saul and to all his house have I given to the son of your lord.

 

2Sa 9:3 WEB  The king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet.

2Sa 9:3 KJV+  And the kingH4428 said,H559 Is there notH657 yetH5750 anyH376 of the houseH1004 of Saul,H7586 that I may shewH6213 the kindnessH2617 of GodH430 untoH5973 him? And ZibaH6717 saidH559 untoH413 the king,H4428 JonathanH3083 hath yetH5750 a son,H1121 which is lameH5223 on his feet.H7272

2Sa 9:3 LB  And the king said, “Is there yet a man left of the house of Saul, that I may act towards him with the mercy of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is yet a son of Jonathan, lame in his feet.”

2Sa 9:3  καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς Εἰ ὑπολέλειπται ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Σαουλ ἔτι ἀνὴρ καὶ ποιήσω μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος θεοῦ; καὶ εἶπεν Σιβα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Ἔτι ἔστιν υἱὸς τῷ Ιωναθαν πεπληγὼς τοὺς πόδας.

2Sa 9:4 WEB  The king said to him, Where is he? Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.

2Sa 9:4 KJV+  And the kingH4428 saidH559 unto him, WhereH375 is he?H1931 And ZibaH6717 saidH559 untoH413 the king,H4428 Behold,H2009 heH1931 is in the houseH1004 of Machir,H4353 the sonH1121 of Ammiel,H5988 in Lodebar.H3810

2Sa 9:4 LB  And the king said, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo Debar.”

2Sa 9:4  καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς Ποῦ οὗτος; καὶ εἶπεν Σιβα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Ἰδοὺ ἐν οἴκῳ Μαχιρ υἱοῦ Αμιηλ ἐκ τῆς Λαδαβαρ.

2Sa 9:5 WEB  Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.

2Sa 9:5 KJV+  Then kingH4428 DavidH1732 sent,H7971 and fetchedH3947 him out of the houseH4480 H1004 of Machir,H4353 the sonH1121 of Ammiel,H5988 from Lodebar.H4480 H3810

2Sa 9:5 LB  And King David went, and took him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo Debar.

2Sa 9:5  καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ καὶ ἔλαβεν αὐτὸν ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Μαχιρ υἱοῦ Αμιηλ ἐκ τῆς Λαδαβαρ.

2Sa 9:6 WEB  Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and did obeisance. David said, Mephibosheth. He answered, Behold, your servant!

2Sa 9:6 KJV+  Now when Mephibosheth,H4648 the sonH1121 of Jonathan,H3083 the sonH1121 of Saul,H7586 was comeH935 untoH413 David,H1732 he fellH5307 onH5921 his face,H6440 and did reverence.H7812 And DavidH1732 said,H559 Mephibosheth.H4648 And he answered,H559 BeholdH2009 thy servant!H5650

2Sa 9:6 LB  And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul came to King David, and he fell upon his face and bowed down before him. And David said to him, “Mephibosheth”; and he said, “Behold your servant.”

2Sa 9:6  καὶ παραγίνεται Μεμφιβοσθε υἱὸς Ιωναθαν υἱοῦ Σαουλ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Δαυιδ καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Δαυιδ Μεμφιβοσθε· καὶ εἶπεν Ἰδοὺ ὁ δοῦλός σου.

2Sa 9:7 WEB  David said to him, "Don't be afraid of him; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually."

2Sa 9:7 KJV+  And DavidH1732 saidH559 unto him, FearH3372 not:H408 forH3588 I will surely shewH6213 H6213 H5973 thee kindnessH2617 for JonathanH3083 thy father'sH1 sake,H5668 and will restoreH7725 thee(H853) allH3605 the landH7704 of SaulH7586 thy father;H1 and thouH859 shalt eatH398 breadH3899 atH5921 my tableH7979 continually.H8548

2Sa 9:7 LB  And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely deal mercifully with you for the sake of Jonathan your father, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”

2Sa 9:7  καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Δαυιδ Μὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι ποιῶν ποιήσω μετὰ σοῦ ἔλεος διὰ Ιωναθαν τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ ἀποκαταστήσω σοι πάντα ἀγρὸν Σαουλ πατρὸς τοῦ πατρός σου, καὶ σὺ φάγῃ ἄρτον ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης μου διὰ παντός.

2Sa 9:8 WEB  He did obeisance, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?"

2Sa 9:8 KJV+  And he bowed himself,H7812 and said,H559 WhatH4100 is thy servant,H5650 thatH3588 thou shouldest lookH6437 uponH413 suchH834 a deadH4191 dogH3611 as IH3644 am?

2Sa 9:8 LB  And Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “Who is your servant, that you have looked upon a dead dog such as me?”

2Sa 9:8  καὶ προσεκύνησεν Μεμφιβοσθε καὶ εἶπεν Τίς εἰμι ὁ δοῦλός σου, ὅτι ἐπέβλεψας ἐπὶ τὸν κύνα τὸν τεθνηκότα τὸν ὅμοιον ἐμοί;

2Sa 9:9 WEB  Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given to your master's son.

2Sa 9:9 KJV+  Then the kingH4428 calledH7121 toH413 Ziba,H6717 Saul'sH7586 servant,H5288 and saidH559 untoH413 him, I have givenH5414 unto thy master'sH113 sonH1121 allH3605 thatH834 pertainedH1961 to SaulH7586 and to allH3605 his house.H1004

2Sa 9:9 LB  And the king called Ziba the servant of Saul, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house have I given to the son of your lord.

2Sa 9:9  καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σιβα τὸ παιδάριον Σαουλ καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν Πάντα, ὅσα ἐστὶν τῷ Σαουλ καὶ ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, δέδωκα τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ κυρίου σου·

 

 

Jesus and The Ten Lepers

Luk_17:11-19 CAB  And it happened while He was traveling to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  12  Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood at a distance.  13  And they lifted their voice and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"  14  And seeing them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went away, they were cleansed.  15  And one of them, seeing that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,  16  and fell down on his face at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan.  17  So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?  18  Were not any found returning to give glory to God except this foreigner?"  19  And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."

 

Note 1: Bowing down to someone in great thanks and amazement for supernatural work (v. 15-16), glorifies God (v. 18), and not the flesh of the man to whom one bows down to!

 

Note 2: Ignorant church people will almost always excuse themselves from obeying this example by saying that “jesus is god,” but that is not the point of the passage, nor do we have any evidence at all that these lepers knew that! – Jesus truly is God, but that has nothing to do with why Jesus healed them, nor is it why the one (Samaritan) leper returned to thank Him and fall at His feet, nor is it particularly why God was glorified, since Jesus’ Divinity was not the factor that was at work when He was truly a man who healed some lepers by faith in this story.

 

Mourning

Job_9:27

Psa_38:6

Psa_69:10 CAB And I bowed down my soul with fasting, and that was made my reproach.

Mat_26:39 – Jesus in prayer

 

1Sa_28:20 CAB  And Saul instantly fell at his full length upon the earth, and was greatly afraid because of the words of Samuel; and there was no longer any strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all that day, and all that night.

 

In Recognition of Spiritual Authority

 

1Sa_28:14, 1Sa_28:20 – Saul to Samuel (when coming up from hell)

 

1Ki_18:7 CAB  And Obadiah was alone in the road; and Elijah came alone to meet him. And Obadiah made haste, and fell upon his face, and said, My lord [κύριέ μου] Elijah, are you indeed he?

>> Sync: BOW | Lux

 

2Ki_2:14-15 CAB  and he took the mantle of Elijah, which fell from off him, and struck the water, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And he struck the waters, and they were divided this way and that; and Elisha went over.  15  And the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho on the opposite side saw him, and said, The spirit of Elijah has rested upon Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed down before him to the ground.

 

When a woman’s son had died, it says…

 

2Ki_4:27-28 CAB  And she came to Elisha to the mountain, and laid hold of his feet; and Gehazi drew near to thrust her away. And Elisha said, Let her alone, for her soul is much grieved in her, and the Lord has hidden it from me, and has not told it to me.  28  And she said, Did I ask a son of my lord? For did I not say, Do not deal deceitfully with me?

 

Critical Notes

·        This is very similar to Judas protesting when Mary washed Jesus’ feet.

·        Jesus also said ‘leave her alone’ when people looked down on Mary’s good work

·        Beware that you are not looking down on/despising what is good like the disciple Gehazi (at least temporarily did in this case), and Judas, who was the son of perdition (a type of antichrist)

 

After Elisha raised a son from the dead…

 

2Ki_4:36-37 WEB  He called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. When she was come in to him, he said, Take up your son.  37  Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out.

 

Many, many more examples can be seen under Bowing to Jesus

 

Bowing to Jesus is Not Inherently About Bowing to God

>> add!!!: Mary washing Jesus’ feet

>> add more examples

 

Basic Facts We Ought to Know By Now

·        Bowing was (and should still be) a common recognition of superiority in the display of extreme humility and submission.

·        Although it is obvious that Jesus is God, “bowing” or “worshiping” has nothing to do with this unless specifically specified (such as Mat_14:33; Mar_5:6-7; Heb_1:6 with the context of Heb_1:8-12; and compare Joh_9:35-38; Joh_20:28ὁ Κύριός μου καὶ ὁ Θεός μου).

·        Examples of bowing to Jesus in the Bible are not special attributions of His Divinity, but examples of their humility which we should walk in and imitate (Heb_6:12; Heb_13:7).

·        You cannot use Jesus’ Divinity as a lame and treacherous excuse to disobey imitating the authoritative examples of those who bowed to Him in the Bible.

·        If you disagree with these basic realities, then you should not even be reading this, but you should rather be contacting us and asking us how to repent of you faith and get discipled into Truth!

 

Example Passages

Mat_2:2, Mat_2:11 – A Baby King (who also happens to be God)

Luk_5:3-9

Mat_20:20

Mat_28:9

 

Mat_8:2-3 CAB  And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."  3  And reaching out His hand, Jesus touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

 

Mat_9:18 CAB  As He spoke these things to them, behold, a certain leader came and worshipped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she shall live."

 

Mat_15:22-28 CAB  And behold, a Canaanite woman coming forth from that region cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."  23  But He answered her not a word. And His disciples approached and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."  24  But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  25  Then she came and worshipped ροσεκύνησεν] Him, saying, "Lord, help οήθει] me!"  26  But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and to throw it to the little dogs."  27  But she said, "Yes, Lord, for even the little dogs eat from the crumbs falling from their masters' table."  28  Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

 

Important Notes

·        There is nothing at all particularly indicating that these examples were worshiping Jesus as God by doing these things.

·        If they were secretly revering Him as God, all the better, but that is not what these passages teach us.

·        We are not responsible to imitate what we think was going on in these passages, but we are obligated to actually DO what they themselves actually teach us to do! – which is to love humility and submission, recognizing one’s own inferiority and humbling one’s self to honor others.

 

These Examples Could possibly Be Described Either Way?

Mat_28:17

Luk_24:52

 

Bowing Boundaries

Examples of times and occasions when we should not to bow. (Hopefully these are obvious and we already know and recognize them)

Now that we have considered Biblical Bowing, we need to understand why bowing to people has generally been given a bad reputation, and we need to distinguish what is actually good from what is bad.

>> Add: if they are not willing then it is not available to you. You cannot honor someone by bowing when they will not receive it by honor (although this does not always apply to all "honor" virtues)

 

Summary Examples We Should Already Know by Now

·        Don't Bow Down Before Idolatry
We usually do not need to list every occurrence of this for anyone who has read the Bible.

·        Don't Bow Before the Wicked

·        Don’t Promote Bitter Oppression For Innocent People
(notice that this has an important, exclusive qualification attached to it, only protecting “Innocent People” – guilty people can be bitterly oppressed, and that can be appropriate)

·        Don't Bow to Angels as gods

 

Bowing to Angels Can Be Good, But NOT as gods

 

(1) What is this “Worship of Angels”?

This “worship of angels” is in fact, the “worship of fallen angels” and demons (i.e. typical paganism)

 

As TSK lists: Dan_11:38,*Heb: Rom_1:25, 1Co_8:5, 1Co_8:6, 1Ti_4:1;

 

Col_2:18 CAB  Let no one *rule against you [* καταβραβευέτω], desiring to do so in false humility and *in worship of the angels [* θρησκείᾳ τῶν ἀγγέλων], intruding into those things which he has not seen, in vain being puffed up by his carnal mind,

 

Note: this “Worship” is not the bowing word in the Bible.

This is nothing more than the typical paganism which has always been condemned from the beginning:

 

Rev_9:20 CAB  But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent from the works of their hands, that they should not worship [προσκυνήσουσι] demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and of wood, which neither are able to see nor to hear nor to walk.

 

A Few Other Examples Against Idolatry

 

Deu_29:26; 2Ki_21:3, 2Ki_21:21; 2Ch_25:14, 2Ch_33:3; Mat_4:9-10; Luk_4:7-8; Act_7:43; 1Co_10; Rev_9:20; Rev_13:4, Rev_13:8; Rev_13:12, Rev_13:15; Rev_14:7; Rev_14:9, Rev_14:11; Rev_16:2; Rev_19:20; Rev_20:4

(There are obviously many, many more)

 

Deu_6:13-16 CAB  You shall fear [current LXX: φοβηθήσῃ (conforms to MT) – NT says “προσκυνήσεις” (Mat_4:10)] the Lord your God, and Him only [although Jesus includes “only” some LXX manuscripts omit it as seen in NETS] shall you serve [λατρεύσεις]; and you shall cleave to [κολληθήσῃ] Him, and by His name you shall swear.  14  Go not after other gods, of the gods of the nations round about you,  15  for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous [or zealous (ζηλωτὴς)] God, lest the Lord your God be very angry [ὀργισθεὶς θυμωθῇ] with you, and destroy you from off the face of the earth.  16  You shall not tempt [ἐκπειράσεις – i.e. intensely (ἐκ) put God threw things] the Lord your God, as you tempted Him in the temptation.

 

Mat_4:8-11 CAB  Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.  9  And he said to Him, "All these things will I give You, if You will fall down and worship me εσὼν προσκυνήσῃς]."  10  Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship ροσκυνήσεις] the LORD your God, and Him alone you shall serve [λατρεύσεις].' "  11  Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

 

Exo_32:7-9 CAB  And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Go quickly, descend from here, for your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have transgressed;  8  they have quickly *gone out of the way [* παρέβησαν – i.e. broken boundaries] which you have commanded; they have made for themselves a calf, and worshipped ροσκεκυνήκασιν] it, and sacrificed to it, and said,  9  These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

 

Exo_34:14 CAB  For you shall not worship ροσκυνήσητε] strange gods, for the Lord God, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God;

 

Note: ironically, a number of people have tried to use this passage to teach that you should not bow down to people ροσκυνήσητε] but this passage clearly does not say that at all. It says not to bow toward daemons (other gods) but it does not say to never bow to men. Bowing to other gods is clearly a spiritual practice of connecting to daemons by an evil faith, and this has nothing to do with properly lowering yourself before another human which requires no particular faith in that person whom you can plainly see. Bowing to spiritual things by faith, means a recognition of their spiritual claims, but bowing to a person simply acknowledges or displays the fact that you are less than them.

    Kissing [κυνή-] a man is obviously very different than kissing a woman, and kissing a daughter means something very different than kissing a wife. These things automatically have extreme differences to them, and we ought not to suppose that there is no automatic distinction when it comes to bowing before “gods” and bowing before men. It is obvious that it is pure evil to lower yourself in reverence before evil spirits, and we all know this automatically if we have read the Bible, but it is also obvious that the Bible frequently praises lowering yourself in humility before other people when appropriate. Since we know these things, it is also time to embrace them.

 

Some Prime Examples of the Best Bowing to God

Psa_95:6; Psa_138:2; Joh_4:20-24, etc.; Rev_15:4;

 

Only God is to be feared and served (worshiped)

 

>>!

(2) Revelation Confirms this Propriety

Rev_1:17-18 – It is good to bow before Jesus as God (context: Rev_1:13-18)

Rev_19:10; Rev_22:8-9 – It is not good to bow before angels in the place of God

>> ‘worship God alone’ ??

 

(3) Bowing Before Angels Can be Very Appropriate

Gen_18:2 – Abraham before the three (although one of them was God, as seen in Gen_17:3, Gen_17:17, neither of the other two Angels was called God in Gen_19:1)

Num_22:31 – Balaam before “the angel… with his sword drawn in his hand” (CAB) [κύψας προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ] (Although that was God as well)

Jos_5:13-14 – Joshua to “the Commander of the army of the Lord”

1Ch_21:16 – David and the elders before the judging angel

Dan_8:16-18 – Daniel before the Angel (Gabriel) giving the vision

Dan_10:8-12, Dan_10:15 – another double-bowing of Daniel before an Angel

 

Gen_19:1 WEB  The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. *He bowed himself [or “worshipped” (CAB) – in Hebrew and Greek!] with his face to the earth [* προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν],

 

Luk_24:3-6 CAB  And going in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  4  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.  5  Then, as they became afraid and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?  6  He is not here, but is risen!…

 

Note: this is the proper bowing to Angels, even after the official death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

 

>>!

Don’t Bow to People as gods

Whenever it is Mixed Up With the Pagan Worship of “Demigods” (or “god-men” or “Emperor Worship”) you are compelled to refrain from bowing

 

Rom_10:9 – Interesting Cultural context: “Jesus is Lord” (i.e. not Caesar) – this saying denies the worship of “god-men” (i.e. daemons while in the flesh)

 

Mat_4:10

 

TSK

Act_14:14, Act_14:15, Isa_42:8, Isa_48:13, Mat_4:10, 2Th_2:3, 2Th_2:4, Rev_13:8

Luk_4:8; Luk_8:41

 

Act_10:25-26 (compare Rev_19:10; Rev_22:9) – Peter did not consider it appropriate to receive reverence as being anything superior to the reverent Cornelius. Peter made it clear that his unworthy humanity was the most pressing social need to acknowledge in this occasion of bringing spiritual news of salvation, lest (for example) Peter at any time be confused with the Jesus who was about to save Cornelius. Cornelius was from a non-Jewish context, and reinforcing monotheism and denying “human divinity” was of prime importance, and it was also now emphatically necessary to stress the equality of Jews and gentiles in this pivotal event.

    Cornelius was already very reverent toward God, and Peter (coming from a rough background) did not consider there to be anything appropriate about him receiving reverence from Cornelius. The essential difference between Peter and Cornelius was the free reception of the forgiveness of sins, and since this was to be freely received by both of them, neither of them should get in the way of this and be superior to the other in such a time of benefiting from God’s hand.

    All things being equal then, there was nothing setting Peter above being anything more than “a man” to Cornelius.

 

JFB

fell down at his feet, and worshipped him — In the East this way of showing respect was customary not only to kings, but to others occupying a superior station; but among the Greeks and Romans it was reserved for the gods. Peter, therefore, declines it as due to no mortal [Grotius]…”

 

Meyer

“The welcome that Cornelius gave was very significant. That a high-born Roman should prostrate himself before a Jewish evangelist was unprecedented, though it revealed the true reverence and humility of Cornelius’s soul; but the noble simplicity of Peter’s reply was also a revelation of the true greatness of the Apostle, and ought to have more obviously influenced his would-be successors.”

 

Rev_19:10; Rev_22:8

 

Mat_23 – You Are All Brothers

 

 

Mat_23 – Jesus made it clear that we must treat other obeyers as brothers and avoid extravagant titles that are reserved for the new teacher in heaven.

 

>>! add:

we are never to exalt ourselves over others/ although we are to make ourselves profoundly less than others, we are never allowed to do the opposite end of this by enforcing such subjection on others for ourselves (mat 23 and see bitterness list, esp. 'Bow down so I can walk over you')

 

King: should not let his heart be exalted above his brothers

 

Don't  Bow Before the Wicked, But they Should Bow Before the Righteous

 

(1) Don't Bow Before the Wicked

As we indicated earlier, it is not good to bow before the wicked

Est_3:2, Est_3:5

 

[Also compare the explanation given in the current LXX’s additions to Est_4:17]

 

Pro_25:26 CAB  As *if one should stop a well [* MT: “a muddied spring” (WEB)], and *corrupt a spring of water [* MT: “a polluted well” (WEB)], so is *it unseemly for [* not in MT] a righteous man *to fall before [* MT: “who gives way before” (WEB)] *an ungodly man [* LXX: ἀσεβοῦς – irreverent].

 

(2) The Closest thing to an “Exception” to Bowing Before the Wicked?

Moses fell before the assembly when he was falsely accused by the wicked. (However, he did turn around and issue prophecies against them):

 

Num_14:2-7 CAB  And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron; and all the congregation said to them,  3  If only we would have died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we would have died in this wilderness! And why does the Lord bring us into this land to fall in war? Our wives and our children shall be for a prey: now then it is better to return into Egypt.  4  And they said to one another, Let us select a leader and return into Egypt.  5  And Moses and Aaron fell upon their face before all the congregation of the children of Israel.  6  But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those that spied out the land, tore their clothes,  7  and spoke to all the congregation…

 

Num_16:1-5 CAB  And Korah… and Dathan and Abiron… spoke;  2  and *rose up [* LXX: ἀνέστησαν; compare with NT: στερεὸς θεμέλιος… ἕστηκεν… ἀποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας (2Ti_2:19)] before Moses, and two hundred and fifty men of the sons of Israel, chiefs of the assembly, chosen [σύγκλητοι – lit. chosen together; compare: “whom He has chosen” (v. 5)] counselors, and men of renown [ὀνομαστοί – i.e. men that have a well-known name; compare: τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου (2Ti_2:19)].  3  *They rose up [* συνέστησαν – stood up together] against [ἐπὶ – lit. upon] Moses and Aaron, and said, *Let it be enough [* Ἐχέτω – lit. have/ hold it] for you that *all the congregation is holy [* πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγὴ πάντες ἅγιοιeveryone of all the synagogue (lit. the place of together leading) is holy; i.e. anti-christ’s theology], and the Lord [κύριος – compare: τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου (2Ti_2:19)] is among [ἐν – lit. in] them; and *why [διὰ τί – through what] do you *set up [stand down] yourselves against [lit. upon] [* κατανίστασθε ἐπὶ] the *congregation of the Lord [* συναγωγὴν κυρίου]?  4  And when Moses heard it, he fell on his face [ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον].  5  And he spoke to Korah and all his assembly [συναγωγὴν], saying, God has *visited [* Ἐπέσκεπται – lit. scoped upon (same root as overseer or “bishop”)] and known *those that are His [* MT: “Yahweh will show who are his” (WEB); LXX: ἔγνω ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ – this is quoted in the NT as: ἔγνω Κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ – “lord knows those who are being his” (2Ti_2:19 Jos.Trans.) – Paul is clearly quoting this passage primarily from the Greek LXX and not the current Heb. MT] and *who are holy [τοὺς ἁγίους (adjective)], and *has brought them to Himself [* προσηγάγετο πρὸς ἑαυτόν]; and whom He has chosen [ἐξελέξατο] for Himself, *He has brought to Himself ροσηγάγετο πρὸς ἑαυτόν – i.e. Jesus’ theology (eg. Mat_7:13-29)].

>> Sync: MAEb | BOW

 

(Ironically, they did so later before God on behalf of Israel for these wicked people: Num_16:45)

 

2Ti_2:19 GNTtr  ὁ μέντοι στερεὸς θεμέλιος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἕστηκεν, ἔχων τὴν σφραγῖδα ταύτην· ἔγνω Κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ, καί· ἀποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας πᾶς ὁ ὀνομάζων τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου.

 

(3) But it is Good for the Wicked to Bow Before the Righteous

But contrary to “bowing before the wicked,” it is definitely clear that it is good for the wicked to fall down and bow before the righteous

 

Pro_14:19 CAB  Evil men [κακοὶ – nasty/ evil ones] shall fall [ὀλισθήσουσιν – lit small (ὀλι-) + lay (θάνω), i.e., lay down small/ low; fig. bow/ prostrate (ALS p. 398)] before the good, and the ungodly [ἀσεβεῖς – irreverent] shall attend [θεραπεύσουσιν – i.e. wait in helpful service] at the gates of the righteous.

 

There are countless examples of this:

Gen_42:6, Gen_43:28, Est_7:7, Est_7:8, Psa_49:14, Mic_7:10, Mic_7:16-17, Mal_4:3

 

2Sa_22:40 CAB  And You shall strengthen me with power for the war; You shall cause them that rise up against me to bow down under me.

 

(compare Psa_18:39)

 

 

>>!

Bowing to Real, New Testament, Disciples is Sometimes Appropriate

 

Like we quoted previously…

Luk_24:3-6 CAB  And going in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  4  And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.  5  Then, as they became afraid and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?  6  He is not here, but is risen!…

 

Under the Conviction of Prophecy

1Co_14:24-25 CAB  But if all prophesy, and *an unbeliever [* τις ἄπιστος] or an unlearned person [ἰδιώτης] comes in, he is reproved [ἐλέγχεται – convicted] by [ὑπὸ – under] all, he is discerned [ἀνακρίνεται – thoroughly/again/up-judged] by [ὑπὸ] all.  25  And so the secrets [κρυπτὰ] of his heart become clear [φανερὰ – i.e. appear in pubic light]; and so, *falling down on his face εσὼν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον], he will *worship [kiss toward] [the] God ροσκυνήσει τῷ Θεῷ], reporting [ἀπαγγέλλων] that [the] God is truly [ὄντως] among [ἐν] you!

>> Sync: BOW | Lux

 

False, Fleshly Jews to Real (Gentile) Disciples

Rev_3:8-10 CAB  "I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it; because you have a little strength and have kept My word, and you have not denied My name.  9  Behold, I will give those of the synagogue of Satan, those who say they are Jews and are not, but they are lying—behold, I will compel οιήσω] them to come [ἵνα ἥξουσι – (for the purpose) that they might come] and bow down at your feet [καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν ἐνώπιον τῶν ποδῶν σου], and they shall know that I have loved you.  10  Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those that dwell upon the earth.

>> Sync: BOW | Lux

 

Repenting Guard to Paul and Silas

Act_16:24-30 CAB  having received such a command, cast them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.  25  Now about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  26  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds were loosed.  27  And becoming awake, the prison keeper, seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing a sword, he was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have escaped.  28  But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, "Do to yourself nothing bad, for we are all here." 

29  And asking for a light he rushed in, and coming trembling [ἔντρομος γενόμενος], he fell before [προσέπεσε] Paul and Silas,  30  and he brought them forth outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

>> Sync: BOW | Lux (v 29-30)

 

This definitely and clearly proves that the apostles do not always lift people up when they bow to them.

> update biblical Bowing <==> Submission

 

Jesus’ Special New Testament Bowing COMMAND: Foot-Washing!

Note 1: Even Jesus bowed to other people!

Note 2: There is a New Covenant concept of 'brethren', especially ever since Anointed One Came (maybe Moses foreshadowed this?)

 

A Superior Cultural Background: Gen_18:4; Gen_19:2; Gen_24:32, Gen_43:24; 1Sa_25:41; Luk_7:44; 1Ti_5:10

 

Joh_13:1-20 CAB  Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.  2  And after supper, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him,  3  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,  4  He rose from the supper and laid aside His garments, and having taken a towel, He girded Himself.  5  Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to dry them with the towel with which He was girded.  6  Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?"  7  Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you shall know after this."  8  Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me."  9  Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"  10  Jesus said to him, "He that is bathed need only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you."  11  For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean."  12  So when He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, He reclined again, and said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?  13  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say correctly, for so I am.  14  Therefore if I, your Lord and your Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  15  For I gave you an example, that just as I did to you, you also should do.  16  Most assuredly I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than he who sent him.  17  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.  18  I do not speak concerning all of you. I know those whom I chose; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.'  19  From now on I tell you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe that I AM.  20  Most assuredly I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."

 

[Context Reminder Note: Joh_13:2, Joh_13:18-31 – this included Judas]

 

Foot Washing and Foot Kissing

 

Adoration of Feet Connected with the Gospel

Good Announced message

 

Isa_52:7 CAB  as a season of beauty upon the mountains, as the feet of one preaching glad tidings of peace, as one preaching good news; for I will proclaim your salvation, saying, O Zion, your God shall reign.

 

Rom_10:13-18 WEB  For, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."  14  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher?  15  And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!"  16  But they didn't all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"  17  So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  18  But I say, didn't they hear? Yes, most certainly, "Their sound went out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."

 

>> get CAB one day?

 

Honesty Challenge

·        How likely is it that Mary was thinking of these verses when she kissed Jesus’ feet?

·        Is Romans speaking exclusively of adoring Jesus’ feet, or also generally of “those who preach the gospel”?

 

Abigail & Marry of Bethany

It is true that Abigail, wife of Nebal, motioned to wash the feet of David's servants (1Sa_25:41), and it is true that as humiliating as this practice was it was still a deed known well enough about in the ancient world. Nonetheless, when Mary of Bethany took a huge plunge and maxed out on the extreme of this humiliating act, she simultaneously accomplished inspiring the God of heaven to institute the gloriously humble practice of foot washing, which is now renowned in the Assembly of Jesus upon the earth .

 

 

7/7/13-7/8/13

 

The Early Church Took these things Deeply to Heart, to DO Them!

Kissing a martyr's chains is a type of feet kissing

 

“Who would let her creep into a prison to kiss a martyr's* chains or indeed to meet any one of the brethren for the kiss?”

Tertullian >> I need to get the full reference

 

* martyr = one who testified, i.e. to the point of being imprisoned or even eventually put to death.

 

Instead of pretending to ‘worship christ’ they actually imitated those who loved the real Jesus by doing the same things they did when Jesus was on the earth.

 

Abigail

Abigail may have seen servants washing feet in some other context, and in any case, she seeks to humble herself as a slave to wash feet even though she is of a noble decent. despite the pervading custom of politely letting others wash their own feet, she seeks the humiliating honor of washing the men's feet, and in doing so she also links her previous bowing posture wish feet washing (which is bowing even lower than a normal bow!)!

 

Marry of Bethany

Marry is special and does what has never been thought of before in several ways...

- the quality of her washing: who has ever thought to wash with tears, dry with hair, and anoint head and feet with the most extravagant ointment???

- she was socially free from all obligation to Jesus, and without any requirement or demanded duty, she recognized the purely moral debt that Jesus had canceled on her bahalf and honored a man who did not physically own her or even have a relation to her.

 

- she recognized the surpassing reality and potency of the forgiveness of her sins, and defied all convention to glory in the Truth and steadfastness of what had spiritually happened.

- her recognition of what Jesus did for her necessarily exalted the imminent importance of doing justice to the truth of Jesus far above the fleshly obligations of this life.

- she cashed in on the eternal life of doing justice that finally displays a reasonable response to truth that sat right in front of her, and her contemporaries had not even dreamed of this yet, but where instead offended at her righteous love that they should have been imitating.

- even though they stalled to join her, yet at the last supper Jesus instituted a practice based on what she had pioneered.

 

Biblical Feet Kissing!

 

Kiss like a dog = doing obeisance / “worshiping”

 

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Oppose-rs to Bowing/ Feet Kissing

Gehezi [?] wanted to push a woman away from Elisha’s [?] feet

Judas protested to Marry anointing and kissing Jesus’ feet

 

Marry Anointed Jesus’ feet

6/10/13

 

- rich flesh always despises extreme humility

- extremely angering to the flesh

- Judas was tripped up about this, but Jesus said, ‘leave her alone’

- Ay’s story of her sister getting mad about Ay stooping to help her dad tie his shoe (you know, slavery is over)

 

The question is Not: how do we know that this should apply today

The question is: Do we have any just, clean, submissive, faithful and reasonable bases at all whatsoever to assume that this does not apply to our use and practice today?

- consider those who inherit promises, Who’s faith imitate

 

Believers automatically understand that the Bible applies, but perverts take a default stance of always distrusting the healthy application of the Scriptures, and they never stop finding ways to act like none of it applies.

 

Not: how do we know it applies, but,

Since it obviously applies, what hinders us from running with truth to do it like they did?

 

Not: if it applies, but rather,

What is that nonsense and restless heresy that always makes us want to spurn all authority of the Scriptures away from us?

 

 

 

Bowing Summaries and Applications

 

How “Caution” has been Exploited to Abolished all Bowing

Interestingly, all of these legitimate “cautions” concerning “when not to bow” have been fragmented, exploited, molested, and used as leverage to promote a humanistic, standard practice based on paranoia, that has basically abolished all bowing to “men” in modern society – but this is completely unbiblical!

 

Be Sensitive and Perceptive Before Bowing

- Be sensitive as to the right timing when determining if you should bow

- the fact that the Bible particularly mentions them “bowing” means that, in general, they were not necessarily “bowing” at other times.

- Diligently study the Scriptures and carefully internalize why and when they bowed before seeking to carry it out for yourself

- There is a difference in intensity and purpose between bowing face down, on your knees, and partial bows. (Perhaps we can consider a feminine curtsy, a cowboy tipping his hat, or a Chinese or Japanese bow –some with hands together–).

(see Daniel)

 

Summaries of When Not to Bow to People

·        Mistaking prophecy as God before you.

·        Confusion over a person’s significance and or identity

·        Hang-ups/ misunderstandings about a person’s flesh.

 

Summaries of When to Bow to People

Important Reminder Note: keep in mind that different levels of need may call for various levels of bowing

>>! finish summaries

 

When you need mercy from someone

When you need to repent to someone (think about the unthinkable crimes humans sometimes commit against each other)

Bowing for special moments to display extreme reverence for another person

Displaying reverence, imploring aid

 

What do you say? Are we ready to not only bring that beautiful curtsy back, but in some cases, we could even see appropriate displays of desperate humility and saving faith again?

 

>> Main Challenges:

- Act_10:

- rev – worship God (even when John actually saw the angel…)

 

Last Thoughts

 

Don’t bow hypocritically, but bow from the heart.

If your heart is not there yet, then rend your heart until you are there, and until you are rejoicing at the very privilege!

BiblicalBowing: God commands Extreme Displays: rend your hearts and not your clothes! - He is waiting for you to do justice. God nearly always hides your answers benieth you

 

Don't be like Naman

 

'Don't let any of the accursed things stick to you' like Joshua said concerning the man w sticky hands

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TODO/ Additions

 

 

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H2616 חסד châsad khaw-sad'

A primitive root; properly perhaps to bow (the neck only (compare H2603) in courtesy to an equal), that is, to be kind; also (by euphemism (compare H1288), but rarely) to reprove: - shew self merciful, put to shame.

 

LXX related word(s)

  G3741 hosios

 

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H2603 חנן chânan khaw-nan'

A primitive root (compare H2583); properly to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (that is, move to favor by petition): - beseech, X fair, (be, find, shew) favour (-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious (-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, X very.

 

LXX related word(s)

  G452 annas

  G1189 deomai

  G3627 oikteiro

  G3628 oiktirmos

  G3629 oiktirmon

  G515 axioo

  G3868 par aiteomai

  G2172 euchomai

  G1653 eleeo

 

WS on H2603

 

ָחַנן

ḥānan: A verb meaning to be gracious toward, to favor, to have mercy on. In the wisdom literature, this verb is used primarily with human relations to denote gracious acts toward someone in need (Job_19:21; Pro_19:17). Though the wicked may pretend to act graciously, they do not do so; neither should it be done so toward them (Psa_37:21; Pro_21:10; Pro_26:25; Isa_26:10). Outside of the wisdom literature, the agent of graciousness is most frequently God, including the often repeated cry, "Have mercy on me!" (Exo_33:19; Num_6:25; Psa_26:11; Psa_27:7; Psa_119:58). A mixture of divine and human agencies occurs when God, in judgment, sends nations that will show no mercy to punish other nations through warfare (Deu_7:2; Deu_28:50; Isa_27:11).

 

 

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5/21/16

 

Abraham brough water

>> another reference?

 

Gen_43:24 KJV+  And the manH376 broughtH935 (H853) the menH376 into Joseph'sH3130 house,H1004 and gaveH5414 them water,H4325 and they washedH7364 their feet;H7272 and he gaveH5414 their assesH2543 provender.H4554

Gen_43:24 LB And he brought water to wash their feet, and gave feed to their donkeys.

Gen_43:24  καὶ ἤνεγκεν ὕδωρ νίψαι τοὺς πόδας αὐτῶν καὶ ἔδωκεν χορτάσματα τοῖς ὄνοις αὐτῶν.

 

 

7/11/13

es search: "fell feet"

 

 

 

Sir_4:7 Br-Gr  Get thyself the love of the congregation, and bow thy head to a great man.

Sir_4:7 Greek  προσφιλῆ συναγωγῇ σεαυτὸν ποίει καὶ μεγιστᾶνι ταπείνου τὴν κεφαλήν σου.

 

 

 

>>> GET Bow-word for "little dogs"?? – what is the complete deal w this????

11/27/12

 

Psa_69:23  Let their eyes be darkened that they should not see; and bow down their back continually.

 

Psa_144:5  O Lord, bow Your heavens, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

>> Note: this is a summary Bible study. If you would like to hear it explained, then please listen to the MP3 of when we actually presented this teaching.

 

“Bow-” in CAB

excluding:

bows crooked shoot shot bend bent brass hand sword spear swords spears elbows elbow archers archer arrows arrow drew draw bowels bowel heaven heavens mighty might strong fight war baal bale weapon weapons quiver alter temple tent god gods lord sword arrow bent bowshot bowl bowls rainbow worship worshipped

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bows crooked shoot shot bend bent brass hand sword spear swords spears elbows elbow archers archer arrows arrow drew draw bowels bowel heaven heavens mighty might strong fight war baal bale weapon weapons quiver alter temple god gods lord sword arrow bent bowshot bowl bowls rainbow worship worshipped

 

Gen_23:7; Gen_23:12; Gen_27:29; Gen_37:7; Gen_37:9; Gen_37:10; Gen_42:6; Gen_43:26; Gen_47:31; Gen_48:12; Gen_49:8; Jdg_5:27; Jdg_16:30; Rth_2:10; 1Sa_2:36; 1Sa_20:41; 1Sa_25:23; 1Sa_25:41; 1Sa_28:14; 2Sa_1:2; 2Sa_9:6; 2Sa_9:8; 2Sa_14:4; 2Sa_14:33; 2Sa_18:21; 2Sa_19:14; 2Sa_24:20; 1Ki_1:16; 1Ki_1:23; 1Ki_1:53; 1Ki_2:13; 2Ki_2:15; 2Ki_4:34; 2Ki_4:35; 2Ki_4:37; 1Ch_21:21; 2Ch_24:17; Est_3:2; Est_3:5; Job_9:27; Job_36:30; Psa_10:10; Psa_17:11; Psa_38:6; Psa_57:6; Psa_62:3; Psa_69:10; Psa_69:23; Psa_78:9; Isa_2:9; Isa_51:23; Jer_50:41; Hos_1:5; Zec_10:4; Luk_24:5; Joh_19:30; Act_21:5; Rom_11:10; Rev_3:9; Rev_6:2;

 

Before God

Mat_17:6

 

bow bowing bowed bows crooked shoot shot bend bent brass hand sword spear swords spears elbows elbow archers archer arrows arrow drew draw bowels bowel heaven heavens mighty might strong fight war baal bale weapon weapons quiver alter temple tent god gods lord sword arrow bent bowshot bowl bowls rainbow worship worshipped

 

heretics attempt to support bowing:

http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=503

http://www.cpats.org/_webpostings/Answers/2010_04APR/2010AprAreThesePracticesWrong.cfm

 

continue >> continue