Does the Holy Bible mention bowing down for purposes other than worshiping God?

It was said of Abraham that he “bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth” to express gratitude (Gen. 23:7, 12; 27:29) in a spirit of humility stemming from his sense of being a sojourner. Although the sons of Heth saw him as a prophet and a ruler or prince from God in their midst, he considered himself to be a sojourner and guest among them, and felt unworthy of their love and generosity; so he bowed down before them as a sign of his feelings of gratitude. Indeed, the children of God stand out, not for their love of power or reliance on ego; but for their spirit of love, meekness, and humility. Thus, the saying is fulfilled: “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt. 5:14). This hill is not a hill of haughtiness, but of God; established and founded on the Lord Christ Himself, the Giver of humility.

Jacob and his wives and children bowed down to his brother Esau to appease him and to drive away the spirit of anger (Gen. 33:3–6). Jacob led the procession, not in arrogance or violence, but in a spirit of humility. He bowed before his brother seven times, a symbol of perfect submission. So also does the Lord Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom and Head of the Church, lead the procession of victory with His humility; for He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant and humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:6–8). He is the only begotten Son of God. He learned obedience by the things which He suffered (Heb. 5:8), and because He is one with His Father, He fasted, prayed, and knelt down, offering submission to Him on our behalf, so that our worship may be acceptable in Him.

Joseph’s brothers bowed down to him to apologize for what they had done to him (Gen. 37:10, 42:6, 43:26).

Moses bowed down before his father-in-law Jethro (Ex. 18:7). Jethro came with a heart glorifying God for His saving works; and Moses too, great among the prophets to whom God had endowed all these wonders, met his father-in-law with all humility: “Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him” (Ex. 18:7). Moses’ gift of prophecy did not teach him arrogance towards others, but humility before his father-in-law, the pagan priest. Perhaps it was his humility that won Jethro over to the knowledge of the work of God.

Joshua bowed down before the commander of the army of the Lord, because his majesty inspired awe (Josh. 5:14).

Ruth fell on her face and bowed down to the ground and said to Boaz, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10). In humility, Ruth confessed that she was a stranger and did not deserve this generosity, and therefore became more beautiful in the eyes of Boaz, who recounted her virtuous deeds to praise her, saying, “It has been fully reported to me, all that you have done for your motherin-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother

and the land of your birth, and have come to a people whom you did not know before” (Ruth 2:11). When she humbled herself before him, he reminded her of how she had left her first father, the devil; and her first mother, the sinful life in which she was raised; and left the land of her birth, namely her love for the world; and clung to Naomi, namely the spirituality of the law; and come to a people that she did not know before, namely, to fellowship with the heavenly beings who had previously been strangers to her, but now she was one of them, having attained a heavenly nature.

Many are they who bowed down to kings, princes, rulers, and others as an expression of respect, fear, reverence, or supplication (cf. 1 Chron. 29:20). David bowed down before King Saul with a spirit of humility (1 Sam. 24:8). Joab and then Absalom bowed down before King David (2 Sam. 14:22–33). Abigail bowed down before him (1 Sam. 25:23, 41) as did Ahimaaz (2 Sam. 18:28) and Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:16). Adonijah bowed down before Solomon asking for his pardon (1 Kings 1:53). Solomon bowed down to his mother Bathsheba in reverence and respect for her (1 Kings 2:19). And Lot bowed down before the two angels (Gen. 19:1).