Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 20:18
Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jehoshaphat and the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem respond immediately after the prophet delivers God’s command to stand firm and witness His salvation.
The words — The Hebrew וַיִּקֹּד (va-yi-kkod) means "he bowed low," while אַפַּיִם אַרְצָה ('appayim 'artzah) literally translates to "face to the ground."
The thread — This posture of immediate prostration mirrors the people’s response in Exodus 4:31, the temple dedication in 2 Chronicles 7:3, and Abraham’s servant’s worship in Genesis 24:26.
Why it lands — The text records physical submission as the direct response to divine instruction, requiring the reader to recognize worship as an immediate, embodied act of trust rather than a delayed sentiment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord.
Cross-references
- Exodus 4:31 and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.
- 2 Chronicles 7:3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”
- Genesis 24:26 Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD,
- Job 1:20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,
- Psalms 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.