"Thou Shalt Not Bow Down Thyself"
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy Elohim am a jealous Elohim, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."
What does "Thou shalt not bow" mean?
This command prohibits the worship of idols or images. The act of bowing down is a symbol of worship, reverence, or submission. Therefore, this commandment means:
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Do not worship created things (images, statues, celestial bodies, animals, or men) in place of the Creator.
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Do not submit your loyalty or spiritual reverence to anything other than Elohim.
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Bowing in this context represents devotion and is reserved for Elohim alone.
Biblical examples that reinforce this:
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Daniel 3:18 (KJV) – The three Hebrew boys refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image:
"But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."
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Revelation 22:8–9 (KJV) – Even when John bowed to an angel, he was told not to:
"Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant... worship God."
Why is this commandment important?
It guards against spiritual deception, keeps the worship of Elohim pure, and underscores His exclusive sovereignty. In a world where many things demand allegiance, this command reminds us to worship only Yahshua and the Father, not any image, religious object, political figure, or system.
A. N. Dugger’s perspective
Let’s explore the commandment "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them"—with a deep dive into A. N. Dugger’s perspective, especially as found in the teachings of the Church of Elohim (7th Day) and the doctrinal emphasis.
What Does “Thou Shalt Not Bow” Mean According to the Scriptures?
Exodus 20:4–5 (KJV):
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy Elohim am a jealous Elohim..."
This commandment is the second of the Ten Commandments. It explicitly forbids:
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The creation of idols,
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The bowing or worshiping of them,
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And the service or acts of devotion toward them.
The term "bow down" in Hebrew (תִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֣ה – tishtachaveh) refers to physical prostration, but it implies deep spiritual reverence or worship—the kind that belongs to Elohim alone.
A. N. Dugger’s Teaching on Idolatry and Bowing
A. N. Dugger, one of the prominent voices in the Church of Elohim (7th Day) movement, emphasized a strict, literal obedience to the Ten Commandments, including the rejection of all forms of idolatry, both literal and spiritual.
1. Rejection of Graven Images in Worship
Dugger taught that the use of images or symbols in religious devotion whether crosses, statues, icons, or even pictures of ''Messiah'' was a violation of the Second Commandment. He saw this as a remnant of Roman Catholic apostasy, and part of the Babylonian system mentioned in Revelation 17.
He argued that:
“True worship must be spiritual and based on truth—not on symbols or the senses. The carnal man seeks a god he can see, touch, and place before him, but Elohim is not worshiped with man’s hands, nor housed in man-made images.”
This follows Acts 17:29 (KJV):
"Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of Elohim, we ought not to think that the Elohimhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."
2. Bowing to Political or Religious Systems Is Also Idolatry
Dugger’s writings also expand the understanding of “bowing” to include submitting to systems or powers that oppose Elohim’s law. For example:
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Bowing to Sunday observance instead of keeping the seventh-day Sabbath was seen as spiritual idolatry.
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Accepting state-imposed religious creeds, ecclesiastical councils, or traditions that overrule the Word of Elohim was also seen as bowing down to another master.
He linked this with Revelation 13, where the beast causes all to worship (or bow to) his image:
“To bow to the laws of man when they contradict the law of Elohim is idolatry. We must say as Peter did: ‘We ought to obey Elohim rather than men’” (Acts 5:29, KJV).
How Did Dugger View Bowing in Literal and Figurative Terms?
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Literal Bowing: Dugger taught that kneeling before a statue, a crucifix, or a holy relic is forbidden; even if one claims to be honoring Elohim. Worship must be without image or likeness.
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Spiritual Bowing: Dugger emphasized that even the spiritual submission to false doctrine, tradition, or worldly systems is a form of bowing to a false image of “god.”
He often quoted Romans 6:16 (KJV):
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey..."
Thus, to submit or bow to any doctrine, system, or authority that replaces Yahshua’s word and commandments is to bow to another image and that’s forbidden.
Examples in Scripture Highlighted in Dugger’s Teaching
1. Daniel and the Image of Gold (Daniel 3)
Dugger frequently cited the refusal of Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah to bow to the golden image, even under threat of death.
“These men chose the fiery furnace over violating Elohim’s command. This is the faith and courage needed in the last days, when the image of the beast shall again demand worship.”
2. Elijah and the Baal Worshipers (1 Kings 18)
Dugger likened modern idolatry to the worship of Baal—religious confusion mixed with truth and error, promoted by false prophets.
3. Revelation 14:9–10 (KJV)
"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim..."
Dugger interpreted this as a last-days warning: bowing down to false systems (Christianity, Islam, Traditional), even if they appear Messianic “,” is rebellion against Elohim.
Conclusion: What Should a True Believer Do?
A. N. Dugger’s instruction was clear:
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Never bow physically or spiritually to anything or anyone but Elohim.
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Do not use images, symbols, or idols in worship.
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Do not submit to religious systems or laws that replace the commandments of Elohim.
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Keep the commandments including the Sabbath with spiritual integrity.
“The Church must come out of Babylon and be separate. Bowing to idols or to the religious systems of men is spiritual fornication. Yahshua is our only Master.” — A. N. Dugger
The phrase:
🪔 “Thou Shalt Not Bow Down Thyself” – The Second Commandment and Acts 14:11–23
📜 The Second Commandment:
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God…”
— Exodus 20:4–5, KJV
This commandment forbids:
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The creation of idols
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The act of bowing down or showing reverence or submission to anything or anyone other than Elohim
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Any form of worship outside the living Elohim
🔎 Acts 14:11–23 in Focus:
When Paul and Barnabas heal the crippled man in Lystra, the people, in their pagan worldview, immediately believe divinity is present in human form. They shout:
“The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”
— Acts 14:11
They call Barnabas Jupiter (Zeus) and Paul Mercurius (Hermes), and prepare oxen and garlands to offer sacrifice. This is both a cultural and religious response — an attempt to bow down and worship men as gods.
🚫 Paul and Barnabas Refuse the Worship:
“Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out...”
— Acts 14:14
They vehemently refuse:
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Tearing their clothes (a Jewish sign of grief and horror at blasphemy)
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Rushing out publicly to stop the idolatrous act
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Declaring they are only “men of like passions”, not divine
🔥 Essence of True Worship:
Paul then shifts the focus:
“Turn from these vanities unto the living Elohim, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.”
— Acts 14:15
This mirrors the Second Commandment:
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Directing people away from “vanities” (idols)
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Calling for exclusive worship of the Creator, not the creature (cf. Romans 1:25)
📖 Biblical Pattern: True Servants Reject Worship
1. John and the Angel (Revelation 19:10; 22:8–9):
When John bows to an angel:
“See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant... worship God.”
Even angels, as exalted as they are, refuse worship.
2. Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:25–26):
Cornelius falls at Peter’s feet:
“Stand up; I myself also am a man.”
True apostles and prophets never receive honor that belongs to Elohim alone.
💡 Why This Matters:
🔹 1. Elohim is a Jealous Elohim (Ex. 20:5):
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He demands exclusive worship
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Jealousy here means His righteous intolerance of any rival worship
🔹 2. Worship Cannot Be Shared:
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Even if people bow with good intent (like honoring a prophet), it's still idolatry if it elevates man above his station.
🔹 3. Images, Icons, and Veneration Today:
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Many bow to images of “saints,” Mary, angels, or even “Jesus” as pictured in art.
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This is not Biblical worship but a violation of the Second Commandment.
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Pictures and statues become representations of the divine, leading to bowing, prayer, or offering reverence, which is prohibited.
🧱 Conclusion:
The incident in Acts 14 is a clear, New Testament demonstration of the Second Commandment in action:
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Paul and Barnabas are worshiped falsely, yet instead of accepting it, they cry out in grief and protest.
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They redirect worship to the only true Elohim, the Creator.
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It underscores that even sincere people can fall into idolatry — and it is the duty of the righteous to rebuke it and restore true worship.
⚠️ From Lystra Acts 14:14 to Today: The Unchanging Command Against Idolatry
If apostles and angels refused to be bowed to, how much more should we reject every image, title, or religious figure that demands or receives bowing today?
Let us worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), and honor the Lamb alone (Revelation 5:13).
Questions &Answers
Delving deeper into this Unchanging Command Against Idolatry
1. Is the Lord our the Lord a jealous Elohim?
Exodus 20:3–5 (KJV):
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy Elohim am a jealous Elohim..."
Answer:
Yes. Elohim declares Himself a jealous Elohim, intolerant of idolatry or divided loyalty. This is not human jealousy but divine zeal for righteousness and exclusive worship. His jealousy guards His people from spiritual adultery.
2. What did the Lord Elohim forbid His people to make unto themselves?
Exodus 20:23 (KJV):
"Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold."
Leviticus 26:1 (KJV):
"Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image..."
Deuteronomy 4:15–18, 23–24 (KJV):
"...Take ye therefore good heed... Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image... For the Lord thy Elohim is a consuming fire, even a jealous Elohim."
Answer:
He forbade the making of idols, images, or any physical representation of Elohim, man, beast, or anything in creation. These were never to be objects of veneration or religious honor.
3. When Israel disobeyed this commandment shortly after leaving Egypt, how many of them did Elohim consume in one day?
Exodus 32:28–21 (KJV):
"And there fell of the people that day about three thousand men... Moses said... Ye have sinned a great sin."
Answer:
About 3,000 Israelites were slain in one day because they worshiped the golden calf. This was the first national violation of the Second Commandment and a severe judgment followed.
4. What did the Lord our Elohim command His people when they were to inherit the land promised unto their fathers?
Numbers 33:51–52 (KJV):
"Speak unto the children of Israel... Ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land... and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images..."
Answer:
They were to completely destroy all idols, images, and high places of pagan worship. No trace of idolatry was to remain in the land of inheritance.
5. Was Israel obedient in this?
Ezekiel 23:12–16 (KJV):
"She doted upon the Assyrians... with all their idols she defiled herself... as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them..."
Answer:
No. Israel lusted after the idols and customs of foreign nations. This spiritual infidelity was seen as adultery in the eyes of Elohim.
6. At the time of Ezekiel, did Israel worship images and idols? Was this an abomination to the Lord?
Ezekiel 8:5, 10 (KJV):
"...Behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy... every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols..."
Answer:
Yes. Israel worshiped abominable images, even in the Temple itself. These acts provoked the wrath of Elohim and were called abominations.
7. Upon what will the Lord show His displeasure when He comes?
Isaiah 2:12, 16 (KJV):
"For the day of the Lord... shall be upon everyone that is proud and lofty... and upon all pleasant pictures."
Answer:
The Lord’s judgment will fall on the proud and on all images, idols, and artwork used in worship. Even “pleasant pictures” are condemned if they lead to reverence or religious significance.
8. What was John told when he bowed down to worship an angel?
Revelation 19:10; 22:8–9 (KJV):
"See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant... worship ELOHIM."
Answer:
John was immediately rebuked. Even angels must not receive worship—only Elohim is worthy of worship.
9. Whom did Yahshua say we should worship?
John 4:23–24 (KJV):
"...The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth... ELOHIM is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
Answer:
Yahshua taught that true worship is directed to the Father, not through physical objects but in spirit and truth. Worship must not rely on images, places, or icons.
10. Who were the angels asked to worship?
Hebrews 1:6 (KJV):
"And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of Elohim worship him."
Answer:
All angels were commanded to worship the Son, Yahshua the Messiah, showing His divine status and rightful place in worship alongside the Father.
Note:
We must worship the Father and the Son—not angels, saints, or created beings. Praying to angels or to those who have died is unscriptural and classified as idolatry.
11. What are we particularly warned to flee from by the apostle Paul?
1 Corinthians 10:14 (KJV):
"Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."
Answer:
Paul commands believers to flee—not flirt with—idolatry. This command is repeated throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
Note:
As A. N. Dugger emphasized:
“An idol need not be made of wood or stone. Anything or anyone given spiritual devotion other than Elohim and His Son is idolatry.”
The dictionary defines an idolater as “an adorer of images... one excessively fond of a person or thing.” This includes even pictures of Messiah or saints when used in reverence.
12. What did Paul and Barnabas do when people attempted to worship them?
Acts 14:11–18 (KJV):
"...they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out... We also are men of like passions with you..."
Answer:
Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes in horror and stopped the people from offering worship to them. They pointed all glory to Elohim, the Creator.
13. Where will all idolaters have their part?
Revelation 21:8 (KJV):
"...idolaters... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Answer:
All idolaters—whether they worship physical idols or spiritually replace Elohim—will face eternal judgment in the lake of fire unless they repent.
Final Thought:
The command "Thou shalt not bow down thyself" is more than avoiding statues. It is a call to pure worship—free from tradition, imagery, false reverence, or any influence that dishonors Elohim’s spiritual nature.
Let us worship Elohim in Spirit and in Truth, with no intermediaries, and live in holy reverence to the One True Elohim and His Son, Yahshua Messiah.
Elohim is a jealous Elohim
The phrase “Elohim is a jealous Elohim” comes from several passages in Scripture and expresses a profound spiritual truth about the nature of Elohim, the true and living Elohim.
📖 Scripture Source
“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous Elohim.”
— Exodus 34:14, KJV
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. … Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy Elohim am a jealous Elohim…”
— Exodus 20:3, 5, KJV
💡 Meaning of "Jealous" in This Context
The Hebrew word translated as “jealous” is קַנָּא (qanna’), used only of Elohim in the Tanakh. It does not mean envy as humans feel it, but rather:
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Exclusive devotion: Elohim demands exclusive worship from His people because He alone is their Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
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Covenant faithfulness: Just as a husband would be righteously jealous for the love and fidelity of his wife, so Elohim is jealous when His people turn to other “gods” or idols.
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Righteous indignation: His jealousy is a holy and just response to spiritual adultery when His people break covenant and pursue idolatry.
🕊️ How Does This Reflect the Nature of Elohim?
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He is personal: Not an impersonal force, but one who enters into a covenant relationship with His people.
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He is holy: He cannot and will not tolerate idolatry or divided loyalty.
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He is loving: His jealousy is born out of love and concern for His people, desiring their full affection and obedience because it leads to life and blessing.
🔥 Application
Understanding that “Elohim is a jealous Elohim” should stir us to:
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Reject all idolatry (physical or mental)
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Worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)
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Keep His commandments and walk in covenant loyalty
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Recognize the spiritual dangers of compromising truth with false religion (Revelation 13:11 warns of false worship that looks innocent but speaks as a dragon)
The Ten Commandments
Here are The Ten Commandments as written in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, found in Exodus 20:1–17:
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:3
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
Exodus 20:4-6
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy Elohim am a jealous Elohim, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy Elohim in vain.
Exodus 20:7
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy Elohim in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8–11
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work,
thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant,
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is,
and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
Exodus 20:12
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy Elohim giveth thee.”
6. Thou shalt not kill.
Exodus 20:13
“Thou shalt not kill.”
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:14
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
8. Thou shalt not steal.
Exodus 20:15
“Thou shalt not steal.”
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Exodus 20:16
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
10. Thou shalt not covet.
Exodus 20:17
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house,
thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife,
nor his manservant, nor his maidservant,
nor his ox, nor his ass,
nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
These commandments were given by Elohim to Moses on Mount Sinai and remain foundational to biblical morality.
Summarized the Ten Commandments
Yahshua Messiah summarized the Ten Commandments into two great commandments, which capture the heart and essence of the entire Law:
📖 Matthew 22:36–40 (KJV)
“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Yahshua said unto him,
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
✅ The Two Great Commandments Summarized:
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Love The Lord your Elohim with all your heart, soul, and mind
– This summarizes Commandments 1–4, which deal with our relationship with Elohim:-
No other gods
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No idols
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Do not take His Name in vain
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Keep the Sabbath holy
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Love your neighbour as yourself
– This summarizes Commandments 5–10, which govern our relationship with others:-
Honour parents
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Do not kill
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Do not commit adultery
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Do not steal
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Do not bear false witness
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Do not covet
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Yahshua did not abolish the commandments but fulfilled and magnified them, showing that true obedience comes from a heart of love. As He said:
Revelation 13:11 (KJV)
Revelation 13:11 (KJV) in the context of Yahshua’s words about worship and the second commandment—“Thou shalt not bow down thyself…”—as well as how this relates to A. N. Dugger’s teaching and the theme of idolatry and false worship.
📖 Revelation 13:11 (KJV)
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”
🔍 What does Revelation 13:11 mean?
This verse introduces the second beast, often interpreted in prophetic understanding—especially by historic Church of Elohim teachers like A. N. Dugger—as a religious power that rises after the first beast (from the sea, v. 1), which is commonly seen as representing papal Rome.
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The second beast has “two horns like a lamb” — symbolizing a form of religious innocence or profession of Messiah.
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But it “spake as a dragon” — meaning it carries the voice and authority of Satan, the dragon of Revelation 12:9.
This is a false religious system that appears Christ-like but promotes false worship and idolatry, leading many to bow down to the first beast (Rev. 13:12–15).
💡 How does this connect to "Thou Shalt Not Bow Down"?
Let’s align it:
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Second Commandment (Exodus 20:4–5):
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them…”
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Revelation 13 shows a global deception:
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People are pressured to worship the image of the beast (v. 15).
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This is a direct violation of the Second Commandment.
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Those who refuse are threatened with death (Rev. 13:15).
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A. N. Dugger and the Church of Elohim (7th Day) emphasized:
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That modern image worship, even when disguised under true worship terms (crosses, statues of Mary, saints, or even “Jesus”), is a continuation of Babylonian idolatry.
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That end-time prophecy involves a revival of this false worship system, led by religious powers with political influence—like the lamb-like beast in Revelation 13:11.
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📖 Yahshua’s Warning on Worship
📖 “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.”
—John 4:22 (KJV)
📖 “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth...”
—John 4:23 (KJV)
Yahshua made it clear: worship must be true and spiritual—not physical or image-based.
⚠️ Final Warning: Revelation 14:9–10
Those who worship the beast or his image receive the mark and face Elohim’s judgment:
“If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark... The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of ELOHIM…” (Rev. 14:9–10)
🛡️ Summary & Application
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Revelation 13:11 is a prophetic warning of a deceptive religious system that promotes idolatry under the guise of righteousness.
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It violates the Second Commandment by leading people to bow, worship, and serve an image—just as Israel did with the golden calf (Exodus 32).
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Yahshua warned of false messiahs and prophets (Matthew 24:24), and Revelation reveals this is not just deception, but a test of obedience in the end times.
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Those who refuse to bow—like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—will be preserved.
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