Customs change slowly in Bible lands. This becomes clear by a comparison of the many references found in the Bible and other literatures of the Orient with existing circumstances and conditions. The same fact is attested by the pictures illustrating daily life upon the monuments of Assyria, Babylonia and Egypt in the countries between the Nile and the Tigris. Many of these, dating back to the second or third millennium before our era, prove conclusively that the same practices and usages as are now common among the inhabitants of those lands were in vogue in the days of H̬ammurabi and the early rulers of Egypt. This is especially true of matters pertaining to the worship of the gods, and of the attitudes or positions assumed in homage and respect to monarchs and those in authority.
The many references found in the Bible to these same usages prove that the Hebrews too had much in common with the nations around them, not only in creed, but also in the mode of worship, as well as in general everyday etiquette. This is not strange, at least among the Semitic peoples, for there is more or less agreement, even among all nations, ancient and modern, in the attitude of the worshipper in temple and high place.
The outward tokens of respect and honor shown by Orientals to their superiors, above all to monarchs, may seem exaggerated. But when we consider that the king was God’s vicegerent upon the earth or over a certain country, and in some sense Divine, worthy even of adoration, it is not strange that almost equal homage should be paid him as the gods themselves. The higher the person was in power, the greater the honor and respect shown him. It is natural, therefore, that God, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings should be the recipient of the highest reverence and adoration.
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Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia
Keywords: Outward Tokens of Respect, Bowing, Worship, Kneel, Kneeling, Bowing the knee, Bow the knee, Worshipped, Prostration, Prostrate, Standing in prayer, Pray standing, Pray standing up, Posture, Worship posture
Bible reference(s): 1 Kings 1:16, 1 Kings 18:42, 1 Kings 8:22, 1 Samuel 20:41, 1 Samuel 25:23, 2 Chronicles 10:6, 2 Chronicles 25:14, 2 Chronicles 6:13, 2 Kings 17:35, 2 Kings 4:37, Acts 10:25, Acts 20:36, Acts 21:5, Acts 7:60, Acts 9:40, Daniel 1:19, Daniel 6:10, Daniel 8:17, Ephesians 3:14, Esther 5:2, Exodus 11:8, Exodus 20:5, Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel 3:23, Ezra 9:5, Genesis 17:3, Genesis 18:2, Genesis 19:1, Genesis 24:26, Genesis 33:3, Genesis 41:46, Genesis 43:28, Isaiah 45:23, Job 1:20, John 11:32, Joshua 23:7, Joshua 5:14, Judges 2:12, Luke 18:11, Mark 11:25, Mark 5:22, Matthew 17:6, Matthew 6:5, Numbers 14:5, Numbers 25:2, Psalms 95:6, Revelation 19:10
Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.
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