a mode of showing respect. Abraham "bowed himself to the people of the land" ( Genesis 23:7 ); so Jacob to Esau ( Genesis 33:3 ); and the brethren of Joseph before him as the governor of the land ( Genesis 43:28 ). Bowing is also frequently mentioned as an act of adoration to idols ( Joshua 23:7 ; 2 Kings 5:18 ; Judges 2:19 ; Isaiah 44:15 ), and to God ( Joshua 5:14 ; Psalms 22:29 ; 72:9 ; Micah 6:6 ; Psalms 95:6 ; Ephesians 3:14 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.