Reference: Gestures
Hastings
The Oriental is a natural expert in appropriate and expressive gesture. To his impulsive and emotional temperament, attitude and action form a more apt vehicle for thought and feeling than even speech. Movement of feature, shrug of shoulder, turn of hand, express much, and suggest delicate shades of meaning which cannot be put in words. Conversation is accompanied by a sort of running commentary of gestures. Easterns conduct argument and altercation at the pitch of their voices; emphasis is supplied almost wholly by gestures. These are often so violent that an unskilled witness might naturally expect to see bloodshed follow.
The word does not occur in Scripture, but the thing, in various forms, is constantly appearing. Bowing the head or body marks reverence, homage, or worship (Ge 18:2; Ex 20:5; 1Ch 21:21; Ps 95:6; Isa 60:14). The same is true of kneeling (1Ki 19:18; 2Ki 1:13; Ps 95:6; Mr 1:40). This sign of homage the tempter sought from Jesus (Mt 4:9). Kneeling was a common attitude in prayer (1Ki 8:54; Ezr 9:6; Da 6:10; Lu 22:41; Eph 3:14 etc.). The glance of the eye may mean appeal, as the upward look in prayer (Job 22:26; Mr 6:41 etc.), anger (Mr 3:5), or reproach (Lu 22:61). A shake of the head may express scorn or derision (2Ki 19:21; Ps 109:25; Mr 15:29 etc.). A grimace of the lip is a sign of contempt (Ps 22:7). Shaking the dust off the feet, or shaking, however gently, one's raiment, indicates complete severance (Mt 10:14 etc.), denial of responsibility (Ac 18:16), and often now, total ignorance of any matter referred to. Rending the garments betokens consternation, real (Ge 37:29; Jos 7:6; Ac 14:14 etc.) or assumed (2Ch 23:13; Mt 26:65), and grief (Jg 11:35; 2Sa 1:11 etc.). Joy was expressed by dancing (Ex 15:20; 1Sa 30:16; Jer 31:4 etc.) and clapping the hands (Ps 47:1; Isa 55:12 etc.). Spitting upon, or in the face, indicated deep despite (Nu 12:14; Isa 50:6; Mt 26:67, etc.). See Hand, Mourning Customs, Salutation.
Some gestures in common use are probably ancient. One who narrowly escapes danger, describing his experience, will crack his thumb nail off the edge of his front teeth, suggesting Job's 'with the skin of my teeth' (Job 19:20). One charged with a fault will put his elbows to his sides, turn his palms outward, and shrug his shoulders, with a slight side inclination of the head, repudiating responsibility for an act which, in his judgment, was plainly inevitable.
W. Ewing.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
He looked up and noticed three men coming toward him. He ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed to the ground.
Reuben came back to the pit and found that Joseph was not there. He tore his clothes in sorrow.
The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, danced with tambourines, and followed her.
Do not worship them or serve them. I, Jehovah your God, am a God demanding exclusive devotion. (I do not tolerate rivals.) I will not share your affection with any other god. I punish children for their parents' sins to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.
Jehovah answered: If her father had spit in her face, she would have to bear her disgrace for seven days. So let her be shut out of the camp for a week, and after that she can be brought back in.
And Joshua ripped his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the Ark of Jehovah until evening. He threw dust on his head. The elders of Israel did the same.
When he saw her, he ripped his clothes in sorrow and said: Oh, my daughter! My heart is breaking! Why must it be you? I have made a solemn promise to Jehovah, and I cannot take it back!
When Solomon finished praying this prayer for mercy to Jehovah, he stood in front of Jehovah's altar, where he had been kneeling with his hands stretched out toward heaven.
I will leave seven thousand people alive in Israel; all those who are loyal to me and have not bowed to Baal or kissed his idol.
This is Jehovah's message to Sennacherib: 'My people, the virgin daughter of Zion, despise you and laugh at you. My people in Jerusalem shake their heads behind your back.
She saw the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance. The captains and the trumpeters were beside the king. All the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets. The singers with their musical instruments lead the praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said: This is treason! Treason!
I said, O my God, shame keeps me from lifting up my face (praying) to you (being in your presence), my God: for our sins have increased higher than our heads and our evil-doing has come up to heaven.
My bones cling to my skin. I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth (with almost nothing).
you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God.
All who see me laugh at me. Insults pour from their mouths. They shake their heads and say:
([Sons of Korah]) O clap your hands, all you people. Shout to God with the voice of joy.
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before Jehovah our maker.
Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before Jehovah our maker.
I have become the victim of my enemies' insults. They look at me and shake their heads.
I will offer my back to those who whip me. I will offer my cheeks to those who pluck hairs out of my beard. I will not turn my face away from those who humiliate me and spit on me.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
The sons of those who oppress you will bow in front of you. All who loathe you will bow at your feet. They will call you the city of Jehovah, Zion, the city of the Holy One of Israel.
I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You will take up your tambourines and go to the dances of the merrymakers.
Daniel knew that the decree was signed. He went into his house. His windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem. He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, like he did before.
I will give all this to you, the Devil told Jesus, if you kneel down and worship me.
If someone will not welcome you and listen to the message, leave that house or town, shake the dust off your feet and move on.
Then the high priest ripped his robes apart and said: He has said evil against God! Why do we need more witnesses? You have heard his words of blasphemy!
They spat in his face and hit him, saying:
A man with leprosy knelt in front of Jesus and begged to be healed. If you want to, you can make me well, he said.
He looked at them and was angry. He was also sad on account of their hard hearts. He said to the man: Stretch out your hand. He stretched it out and his hand was healed.
Then he looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He took the five loaves and the two fishes, and broke the loaves into pieces and gave them to his disciples. He also divided the two fishes. He gave the food to his disciples to serve to the people.
Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days,
He went a short distance from them and kneeled down and prayed.
The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him: Before the cockcrow this day you will deny me three times.
When the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they ripped their clothes, and ran in among the people.
For this cause I bow my knees to the Father.