The answer
a. It was mentioned in scripture that when Joshua saw the angel of the Lord standing by
Jericho, he bowed his head and fell flat on his face (Num. 22:31). So also did Lot (Gen. 19:1) and Daniel (Dan. 10:9).
b. Scripture teaches us to bow before holy places and holy things, for example: “I will
worship toward Your holy temple” (Ps. 5:7) and “worship at His footstool” (Ps. 99:5).
c. Bowing before people who are in a position of superior dignity and authority by the
divine order. For example, Jacob bowed himself down to the ground seven times in front of his elder brother Esau (Gen. 33:3), and Jacob’s children bowed down before their brother Joseph with their faces to the earth (Gen. 42:6). Likewise, King Solomon bowed down to his mother Bathsheba (1 Kings 2:19) and many more who bowed down before kings without any disapproval in scripture.
d. Bowing as an expression of deep feelings, such as when Abraham bowed down before
the sons of Heth who were pagans (Gen. 23:12).
e. Bowing down before the Ark of Covenant, Aaron’s rod and the pot of manna; things
fashioned by the hands of men.
f. The ground became holy because of the burning bush with its flames of fire, and
Moses took off his shoes as a sign of its holiness.
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty