Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
The acts and postures by which the Hebrews expressed adoration bear a great similarity to those still in use among Oriental nations. To rise up and suddenly prostrate the body was the most simple method; but, generally speaking, the prostration was conducted in a more formal manner, the person falling upon the knee and then gradually inclining the body until the forehead touched the ground. Such prostration was usual in the worship of Jehovah,
(Genesis 17:3; Psalms 95:6) it was the formal mode of receiving visitors, (Genesis 18:2) of doing obeisance to one of superior station, (2 Samuel 14:4) and of showing respect to equals. (1 Kings 2:19) It was accompanied by such acts as a kiss, (Exodus 18:7) laying hold of the knees or feet of the person to whom the adoration was paid, (Matthew 28:9) and kissing the ground on which he stood. (Psalms 72:9; Micah 7:17) Similar adoration was paid to
idols, (1 Kings 19:18) sometimes, however, the act consisted simply in kissing the hand to the object of reverence, (Job 31:27) and in kissing the statue itself. (Hosea 13:2)
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
ADORA'TION. The word means to pray to, and is properly applied to the worship of God. Among the Hebrews adoration by outward act was variously performed. We gather from different Scripture passages that it consisted in putting off the shoes, bowing the knee or the head, or in slowly prostrating the body by first falling on the knees and then bending the body until the head touched the ground. But these forms of adoration were not limited to the
worship of Jehovah. The Eastern mode of salutation is very obsequious, and so between an inferior and a superior the same ceremonies would be performed, and also between equals. Similar was their conduct in the worship of idols when seeking the good-will of one whom they had offended. Kissing the hand of an idol was a common mode of adoration. These acts were often repeated more than once. In the New Testament we read that our Lord was treated
with these outward signs of respect and reverence. So, too, in the case of Peter, to whom Cornelius prostrated himself. See Worship.