Original Word: שָׁחָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shachah
Pronunciation: shah-KHAH
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-khaw')
KJV: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship
NASB: worship, worshiped, bow down, bowed, bowed down, prostrated, bow
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God)

bow self down, crouch, fall down flat, humbly beseech, do reverence, worship

A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) -- bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to bow down
NASB Translation
bow (5), bow ourselves down (1), bow yourselves down (1), bow down (21), bowed (16), bowed in worship (1), bowed themselves down (2), bowed down (14), bowing (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 (1), weighs it down (1), worship (47), worshiped (31), worshiping (3), worships (2).

[שָׁחָה]₁₇₂ verb bow down (Late Hebrew id.; Jewish-Aramaic שְׁחִי (rare); akin to שׁוח, שׁחח); —

Qal Imperative feminine singular שְׁחִי Isaiah 51:23 bow down.

Hiph`il Imperfect3masculine singular suffix יַשְׁחֶ֑נָּה Proverbs 12:25, figurative, anxiety depresses it (that is לֵב; opposed to שִׂמֵּחַ).

Hithpa`lel₁₇₀ (Ges^{§ 75kk}) Perfect3masculine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה Ezekiel 46:2; 2masculine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֫יתָ Deuteronomy 4:19 3t.; 1 singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֫יתִי 1 Samuel 16:4 2t.; 3 masculine plural הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Jeremiah 8:2, etc.; Imperfect יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה 2 Samuel 15:32 3t.; apocopatic יִשְׁתַּ֫חוּ Isaiah 44:17 +; 3 masculine plural יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Genesis 49:8 +; 2 feminine plural תִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֫יןָ Genesis 33:6; Genesis 37:7, etc.; Imperative feminine singular הִשְׁתַּחֲוִי Psalm 45:12; masculine plural הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ Psalm 29:2 +; Infinitive construct הִשְׁשַׁתַּחֲוֺת Genesis 37:10 +; suffix מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶי 2 Kings 5:18 (but ᵐ5 ᵑ9 and modern חֲוֺתוֺ-); Participle מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה 2 Kings 19:27, etc.; מִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶּם Ezekiel 8:16, read וִים- all modern; —

1 bow down, prostrate oneself, before a monarch or superior, in homage, etc.:

a. with ל, after descriptive clause (especially with קדד, נפל 3b, q. v. ), 1 Samuel 24:9; Genesis 43:28 (J) 2 Samuel 14:4,22; Ruth 2:10; 1 Kings 1:31; 2 Kings 4:37 6t., + (after כָּרֵע) Esther 3:2 (twice in verse); Esther 3:5.

b. with ל, followed by phrase (לפני) על אפים ארצה 2 Samuel 14:33; 1 Kings 1:23; לאפים Genesis 48:12 (E) 2 Samuel 18:28; אפים Genesis 42:6 (E) + 4 t.; omit אפים Genesis 33:3 (J) + 3 t.; עַל כַּמּוֺת רֵנְלַיִךְ Isaiah 60:14.

c. with לְ person only, Genesis 23:7 (P) Genesis 27:29 (twice in verse); Genesis 37:9 (E), Genesis 49:8; Exodus 11:8 (J) + 8 t.; with לפני Genesis 23:12 (P); with אל Isaiah 45:14 ("" התפלּל); absolute Genesis 33:6,7 (twice in verse) (J), Exodus 18:7 (E) 2 Samuel 9:8; 2 Samuel 16:4; Isaiah 49:7.

2 before God, in worship, etc.:

a. with לְ, after descriptive phrase: קדד ארצה Exodus 34:8 (J); ארצה omitted Genesis 24:26,48 (J) + 4 t.; כרע אפים ארצה2Chronicles 7:3; כרע2Chronicles 29:29; נפל ארצה Job 1:20; נפל לפני2Chronicles 20:18.

b. followed by phrase: אפים ארצה ׳ל ׳קדד וישׁ Nehemiah 8:6; ׳ארצה ל Genesis 24:52 (J); ונכרעה ׳השׁ Psalm 95:6; בְּהַדְרַת קֹדֶשׁ ׳ל ׳השׁ Psalm 29:2; Psalm 96:9 = 1 Chronicles 16:29; אֶלהֵֿיכָל (looking towards) Psalm 5:8; Psalm 138:2; לַהֲדֹם רגלים Psalm 99:5; Psalm 132:7.

c. with לְ only: 1 Samuel 1:28 (but read וַתַּנִּחֵהוּ ᵐ5 and modern), 1 Samuel 15:25; Jeremiah 7:2; Psalm 66:4 9t.; with לפני Deuteronomy 26:10; Isaiah 66:23 4t.; with בְ local Isaiah 27:13; with לְ local Psalm 99:9; absolute Genesis 22:5 (E) Judges 7:15 5t.; accusative of location Exodus 33:10 (E) Jeremiah 26:2; Ezekiel 46:3; לפני (ה)מזבח Isaiah 36:7 = 2 Kings 18:22 2Chronicles 32:12; with על location Genesis 47:31 (J) 1 Kings 1:47; Ezekiel 46:2; מֵרֶחֹק after off Exodus 24:1 (E).

d. before angel in theoph.: after clause with נפל, קדד, Joshua 5:14; Numbers 22:31; followed by אפים ארצה Genesis 19:1; ארצה Genesis 18:2 (all J).

3 before other gods: absolute Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 44:15,17; Isaiah 46:6; accusative of location 2 Kings 5:18 (3 t. in verse); 2 Kings 19:37 = Isaiah 37:38; with לְ, Exodus 20:5 = Deuteronomy 5:9 (10 words), Exodus 23:24 (E), Numbers 25:2 (J), Joshua 23:7 (D), Deuteronomy 8:19; Deuteronomy 11:16; 1 Kings 16:31 34t.; with על, Leviticus 26:1 (H); לפני2Chronicles 25:14 ("" קטּר).

Overview of the Verb’s Function

שָׁחָה (“shachah”) depicts the voluntary lowering of one’s body—usually to the ground—in acknowledgment of another’s superior honor, authority, or deity. Its 172 Old-Testament occurrences span narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic literature, forming a unifying thread that ties bodily posture to covenantal allegiance.

Physical Expression of Humility

The verb first appears when Abraham “bowed low to the ground” before the three visitors (Genesis 18:2). Similar gestures mark reconciliation (Genesis 33:3), intercession (1 Samuel 25:23), and gratitude (2 Samuel 14:22). In each scene the act is spontaneous, not ritualized, underscoring that true humility precedes prescribed worship.

Covenantal Worship of Yahweh

When Israel learns that “the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped” (Exodus 4:31). Moses, Aaron, and the elders repeat the act at Sinai (Exodus 24:1). Solomon’s dedicatory prayer climaxes with all Israel kneeling “with their faces to the ground…and worshiping the LORD” (2 Chronicles 7:3). In the Psalms it becomes an invitational formula: “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker!” (Psalm 95:6).

Exclusive Loyalty Versus Idolatry

The Decalogue’s prohibition—“You shall not bow down to them or serve them” (Exodus 20:5)—sets shachah at the heart of spiritual warfare. Israel is repeatedly warned against “bowing down to other gods” (Deuteronomy 8:19; 30:17). Kings fall when they violate this line (2 Kings 17:16); reformers succeed by removing objects that solicit false prostration (2 Chronicles 34:3–7).

Temple and Liturgical Usage

Shachah saturates temple vocabulary. Worshipers approach the sanctuary to “worship at His footstool” (Psalm 99:5); they pledge, “We will go into His dwelling place; we will worship at His footstool” (Psalm 132:7). Priestly liturgy unites posture and offering: “When the offering was finished…the king and all who were present with him bowed down and worshiped” (2 Chronicles 29:29).

Subjection to Human Authorities

While primarily directed to the LORD, shachah also records court etiquette: Joseph’s brothers bow before him (Genesis 42:6), servants before David (2 Samuel 1:2), Bathsheba before Solomon (1 Kings 1:16). Such instances illuminate the cultural backdrop of reverence, while Scripture carefully distinguishes homage to rulers from worship owed to God alone.

Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions

Prophets envision a day when global pride collapses and universal worship rises: “The loftiness of men will be brought low…and the LORD alone will be exalted” (Isaiah 2:17). Nations will “bow down” to Zion (Isaiah 49:23), and survivors of the nations will annually “worship the King, the LORD of Hosts” in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:16). Thus shachah anticipates worldwide acknowledgment of Yahweh’s kingship.

Messianic Foreshadowing and Fulfillment

Royal Psalms blend temporal and messianic horizons: “All kings will bow down to him; all nations will serve him” (Psalm 72:11). In Psalm 22:27 the ends of the earth “bow down before You,” a scene echoed when Gentile magi “fell down and worshiped Him” (Matthew 2:11, Greek proskuneō mirroring shachah). The verb therefore contributes to the developing portrait of the Messiah as the focal point of worship.

New Testament Continuity

Greek proskuneō carries forward the theology of shachah. Jesus affirms its exclusive orientation: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:10). He reorients locale-based worship to Spirit and truth (John 4:20–24), yet bodily humility remains fitting; John twice “fell at His feet” before the risen Christ (Revelation 1:17; 22:8–9).

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

1. Corporate Worship: Encourages whole-person response—mind, heart, and body. Kneeling or prostration can visibly confess God’s supremacy.
2. Personal Devotion: Private prayer that includes bowing reinforces dependence and surrender.
3. Discipleship: Teaches that every sphere of life must “bow” to Christ’s lordship (Philippians 2:10).
4. Missional Hope: Fuels confidence that the gospel will culminate in universal acknowledgment of the Lamb.

In every testament and age, שָׁחָה binds visible action to invisible faith, calling God’s people to embody the confession: “The LORD, He is God; we have entrusted ourselves to Him alone.”

אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥ה אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֨ה אשתחוה בְּהִשְׁתַּחֲוָיָ֙תִי֙ בהשתחויתי הִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ הִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֔יתִי הִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ הִשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ הַמִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ הַמִּשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥ים המשתחוים השתחוו השתחוו־ השתחויתי וְ֭הִֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ וְֽ֭הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ וְאֶֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֛וּ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔יתָ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֖יתִי וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֙יתִי֙ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוָ֛ה וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֔וּ וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוִי־ וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוּוּ־ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲו֧וּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֣יתָ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥יתָ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֑וּ וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֤וּ וְיִשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙ וְיִשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ־ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲוּ֥וּ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ וְנִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה וַ֝יִּשְׁתַּחֲו֗וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּֽחֲו֔וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֑וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֛וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֖וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֨וּ ׀ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּֽוּ׃ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֙ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֮ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֕חוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֙חוּ֙ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֣חוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֤חוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּ֨חוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ־ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוֻּ֛ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ וַיִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ וַיִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּ וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּֽוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ וַתִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖יןָ וַתִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽיןָ׃ וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ וַתִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ וַתִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ וָֽאֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֣ת וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔ים וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה ואשתחוה והשתחוה והשתחוו והשתחוו־ והשתחוי־ והשתחוית והשתחויתי והשתחויתם וישתחו וישתחו׃ וישתחוה וישתחוו וישתחוו־ וישתחוו׃ ולהשתחות ומשתחוה ומשתחוים ונשתחוה ותשתחו ותשתחוין ותשתחוין׃ יִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֔וּ יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽה׃ יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּֽוּ׃ יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ֙ יִשְׁתַּ֣חֲווּ יִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥ה יִשְׁתַּחֲוּ֥וּ יַשְׁחֶ֑נָּה ישחנה ישתחוה ישתחוה׃ ישתחוו לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֔ת לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֖ת לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֗ת לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֧ת לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹת֙ לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֖ת לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֣ת לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֥ת לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֨ת להשתחות מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔ים מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֖ים מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֜ה מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים׃ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֥ם משתחוה משתחוים משתחוים׃ משתחויתם נִ֝שְׁתַּחֲוֶ֗ה נִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֣ה נשתחוה שְׁחִ֣י שחי תִ֝שְׁתַּחֲוֶ֗ה תִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ תִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃ תִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ תִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה תִשְׁתַּחְוֶ֥֣ה תִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֤ה תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥֣ה תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥ה תשתחוה תשתחוו תשתחוו׃ ’eš·ta·ḥă·weh ’eštaḥăweh bə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wā·yā·ṯî behishtachavaYati bəhištaḥăwāyāṯî eshtachaVeh ham·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm hammishtachaVim hammištaḥăwîm hiš·ta·ḥă·wê·ṯî hiš·ta·ḥă·wū hiš·ta·ḥă·wū- hishtachaVeiti hishtachaVu hištaḥăwêṯî hištaḥăwū hištaḥăwū- lə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wōṯ lehishtachaVot ləhištaḥăwōṯ miš·ta·ḥă·weh miš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯem miš·ta·ḥă·wîm mishtachaVeh mishtachaVim mishtachaviTem mištaḥăweh mištaḥăwîm mištaḥăwîṯem niš·ta·ḥă·weh nishtachaVeh ništaḥăweh šə·ḥî šəḥî sheChi ṯiš·ta·ḥă·weh tiš·ta·ḥă·wū ṯiš·ta·ḥă·wū ṯiš·taḥ·weh tishtachaVeh tishtachaVu tishtachVeh ṯištaḥăweh tištaḥăwū ṯištaḥăwū ṯištaḥweh ū·lə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wōṯ ū·miš·ta·ḥă·weh ū·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm ulehishtachaVot ūləhištaḥăwōṯ umishtachaVeh umishtachaVim ūmištaḥăweh ūmištaḥăwîm vaeshtachaVeh vaiyishtachaVeh vaiyishtachaVu vaiYishtachavVu vaiyishTachu vatTishtachaVeina vattishTachu veeshtachaVeh vehishtachaVah vehishtachaVeiti vehishtachavi vehishtachaVita vehishtachaviTem Vehishtachavu vehishtachavvu venishtachaVeh veyishtachaVu veyishtachavVu veyishTachu wā’eštaḥăweh wā·’eš·ta·ḥă·weh wat·tiš·ta·ḥă·we·nā wat·tiš·ta·ḥū wat·tiš·tā·ḥū wattištaḥăwenā wattištaḥū wattištāḥū way·yiš·ta·ḥă·weh way·yiš·ta·ḥă·wu way·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū way·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū- way·yiš·ta·ḥăw·wū way·yiš·ta·ḥū way·yiš·tā·ḥū wayyištaḥăweh wayyištaḥăwu wayyištaḥăwū wayyištaḥăwū- wayyištaḥăwwū wayyištaḥū wayyištāḥū wə’eštaḥăweh wə·’eš·ta·ḥă·weh wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wāh wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wê·ṯî wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî- wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯā wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯem wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wū wə·hiš·ta·ḥăw·wū wə·hiš·ta·ḥăw·wū- wə·niš·ta·ḥă·weh wə·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū wə·yiš·ta·ḥă·wū- wə·yiš·ta·ḥăw·wū wə·yiš·ta·ḥū wəhištaḥăwāh wəhištaḥăwêṯî wəhištaḥăwî- wəhištaḥăwîṯā wəhištaḥăwîṯem wəhištaḥăwū wəhištaḥăwwū wəhištaḥăwwū- wəništaḥăweh wəyištaḥăwū wəyištaḥăwū- wəyištaḥăwwū wəyištaḥū yaš·ḥen·nāh yashChennah yašḥennāh yiš·ta·ḥă·weh yiš·ta·ḥă·wū yiš·ta·ḥăw·wū yishtachaVeh yishtachaVu yishtachavVu yištaḥăweh yištaḥăwū yištaḥăwwūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts