Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, "prostrated" refers to the act of lying face down on the ground in a gesture of deep reverence, submission, or worship. This physical posture is often associated with prayer, supplication, or an encounter with the divine. Throughout the Scriptures, prostration is depicted as a response to the overwhelming presence of God, a sign of humility, and an acknowledgment of God's majesty and authority.
Old Testament InstancesProstration is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a common practice among the faithful. In
Genesis 17:3, when God appears to Abram, it is written, "Then Abram fell facedown, and God spoke with him." This act of falling facedown signifies Abram's reverence and submission to God's covenant and promises.
In
Exodus 34:8, Moses' response to God's revelation of His glory is described: "Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped." Here, prostration is an act of worship and acknowledgment of God's holiness and mercy.
The practice is also evident in the worship practices of the Israelites. In
2 Chronicles 7:3, after the dedication of Solomon's temple, the people of Israel respond to the manifestation of God's glory by prostrating themselves: "When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, 'He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.'"
New Testament InstancesIn the New Testament, prostration continues to be a significant expression of worship and reverence. In
Matthew 2:11, the Magi, upon finding the Christ child, "fell down and worshiped Him." This act of prostration underscores their recognition of Jesus' divine kingship and their submission to Him.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself demonstrates a form of prostration in prayer.
Matthew 26:39 records, "Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.'" Here, Jesus' posture reflects His earnest supplication and submission to the Father's will.
The Book of Revelation also depicts heavenly beings and elders prostrating themselves before God.
Revelation 7:11 states, "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." This scene illustrates the ultimate act of worship and reverence in the presence of God's glory.
Theological SignificanceProstration in the Bible is more than a mere physical act; it is a profound expression of the heart's attitude toward God. It signifies humility, surrender, and recognition of God's supreme authority. By prostrating themselves, believers demonstrate their acknowledgment of God's holiness and their own unworthiness. This act of worship is a reminder of the proper posture of the heart before the Creator, emphasizing the need for humility and reverence in the believer's relationship with God.
Throughout Scripture, prostration serves as a powerful symbol of the believer's devotion and submission to God, reflecting a deep-seated acknowledgment of His sovereignty and grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Prostrate.
Greek
4352. proskuneo -- to do reverence to... to NASB Word Usage bow down (1), bow down before (1), bowed down (1), bowed down
before (2), bowing before (1), bowing down (1),
prostrated himself before (1
...Strong's Hebrew
7812. shachah -- to bow down... 1), bowing down (1), bows down (1), did homage (1), down in homage (1), homage
(1), lie down (1), paid homage (3), prostrate (2),
prostrated (13), prostrating
...Library
Sovereignty and Salvation
... of a goodly tree an image made unto the likeness of mortal man, or of the fishes
of the sea, or of creeping things of the earth, and he hasprostrated his body...
The Image of the Beast.
... The ancient Romansprostrated themselves before images of wood and stone; and Jerome
tells us that "by idols were to be understood the images of the dead." In...
The Emperor Purposed, on Account of the Heresy of Aetius and the...
... far from being believed by them, he was regarded with ridicule, and as disclosing
unlooked-for sufferings, he returned to his tower, andprostrated himself on...
A Detached Account of the Descent into Hell.
... After passing through the two compartments, he reached a dark spot in which Adam
and Eve were standing; he spoke to them, theyprostrated and adored him in a...
Book iii. --Of the Harmony of the Fathers of the Old and New...
... Should with the self-same [1489] moisture be bedewed: For by this sign he
prostrated the heaps.... Armless, an ass-jaw grasping,prostrated....
To Brother Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers
... But before I attained, Iprostrated me, and stretched my neck upon the block; but
my desire did not come there, for I had too full consciousness of myself....
The Home Scene.
... word, Martha was one of those meteor spirits rushing to and fro amid the ceaseless
activities of life, softened and saddened, but notprostrated and crushed by...
Treatise iii. On the Lapsed.
... and mourning. I wail with the wailing, I weep with the weeping, I regard
myself asprostrated with those that are prostrate. My...
iii.
... And others being thrown upon the ground layprostrated there by the excessively
frequent application of the tortures; in which condition they exhibited to the...
Prayer Takes in the Whole Man
... the temple. Our Lord in Gethsemaneprostrated Himself in that memorable
season of praying just before His betrayal. Where there...
Thesaurus
Prostrated (29 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Prostrated (29 Occurrences).
... (WEY). Matthew 18:26 The servant
therefore falling down,
prostrated himself at his feet and entreated him.
...Prostrate (25 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration; to cause to bow
in humble reverence; used reflexively; as, heprostrated himself....
Mor'decai (51 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down,
andprostrated themselves before Haman; for the king had so commanded...
Themselves (911 Occurrences)
... Matthew 2:11 So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe with His mother
Mary, theyprostrated themselves and did Him homage, and opening their...
Bathshe'ba (10 Occurrences)
... RSV). 1 Kings 1:16 And Bath-sheba bowed, andprostrated herself unto the
king. And the king said: 'What wouldest thou?' (See RSV)....
Homage (51 Occurrences)
... Matthew 2:11 So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe with His mother
Mary, theyprostrated themselves and did Him homage, and opening their...
Falling (233 Occurrences)
... they come! (WEY). Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore falling down,prostrated
himself at his feet and entreated him. "'Only give...
Teko'a (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 14:4 And when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face
to the ground, andprostrated herself, and said: 'Help, O king.' (See RSV)....
Treasure-chests (1 Occurrence)
... Matthew 2:11 So they entered the house; and when they saw the babe with His mother
Mary, theyprostrated themselves and did Him homage, and opening their...
Transfiguration
... then a cloud swept over them, and out of the cloud a voice came, saying, "This is
my beloved Son: hear ye him." In awe the disciplesprostrated themselves and...
Resources
What are the satanic verses? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land? | GotQuestions.orgProstrated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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