Obeisance
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Obeisance in the Bible?
Obeisance refers to a physical gesture of bowing or curtsying that signifies deference, respect, and homage, commonly directed toward a monarch or the divine.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the cultural weight of obeisance illuminates the strict social hierarchies and expressions of loyalty embedded in biblical narratives, clarifying the relational dynamics between subjects and rulers or worshippers and God.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Obeisance. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Obeisance in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Obeisance clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Obeisance." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/obeisance/