Bible Dictionary
Bowing
Bowing is a bodily act of respect, submission, or worship. Scripture records people bowing before rulers and one another, before idols, and before God in reverence.
Definition
Bowing is the bodily act of inclining oneself forward or kneeling to show respect, submission, reverence, or worship. It may be directed toward a person of authority, an idol, or God.
Biblical Usage
Abraham bowed before the people of the land, Jacob before Esau, and Joseph’s brothers before Joseph. Scripture also records bowing before idols and worshipful bowing before God.
Historical Background
The word can also describe a wall that bulges or leans under pressure, providing an image of something expected to give way before attack.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A mode of showing respect. Abraham “bowed himself to the people of the land” (Gen. 23:7); so Jacob to Esau (Gen. 33:3); and the brethren of Joseph before him as the governor of the land (Gen. 43:28). Bowing is also frequently mentioned as an act of adoration to idols (Josh. 23:7; 2 Kings 5:18; Judg. 2:19; Isa. 44:15), and to God (Josh. 5:14; Ps. 22:29; 72:9; Micah 6:6; Ps. 95:6; Eph. 3:14).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bou'-ing (naTah, "to incline," "bulge"): The Psalmist's assailants expected that he would be "like a leaning (the King James Version "bowing") wall" (Ps 62:3) before their united attack, as when an ill-built, bulging wall gives way under a sudden and heavy fall of rain (compare Eze 13:11; 38:22).</p>