In biblical literature, the concept of "stooping" often carries both literal and metaphorical significance. It can refer to physical actions, as well as attitudes or spiritual conditions. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Bible, illustrating humility, submission, or the burdens of life.

Physical Stooping

In its most literal sense, stooping refers to the act of bending down or lowering oneself physically. This action is often associated with humility or servitude. For example, in the context of servitude or labor, stooping can symbolize the physical demands placed upon individuals. In the Old Testament, the imagery of stooping is sometimes used to describe the burdens carried by animals or people.

Metaphorical Stooping

Metaphorically, stooping can represent a state of humility or submission. In the New Testament, Jesus exemplifies this through His actions and teachings. In John 13:4-5 , Jesus stoops to wash the feet of His disciples, an act that symbolizes servanthood and humility: "So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel that was around Him." This act of stooping down to serve others is a powerful demonstration of the humility that Jesus calls His followers to emulate.

Spiritual Implications

Stooping can also have spiritual implications, often related to the burdens of sin or the weight of life's challenges. In Psalm 38:6 , David expresses a sense of being overwhelmed by his iniquities: "I am bent and brought low; all day long I go about mourning." Here, stooping is a vivid depiction of the weight of sin and the resulting sorrow and repentance.

Prophetic Imagery

In prophetic literature, stooping can symbolize the downfall or subjugation of nations and peoples. Isaiah 46:1-2 uses the imagery of stooping to describe the humiliation of idols and the nations that worship them: "Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity." This passage highlights the futility of idolatry and the ultimate submission of false gods before the sovereignty of the true God.

Humility and Submission

Throughout Scripture, stooping is often associated with humility and submission to God's will. In Philippians 2:8 , the Apostle Paul describes Christ's humility: "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." This ultimate act of stooping, in obedience to the Father, serves as the model for Christian humility and submission.

In summary, the concept of stooping in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from physical actions to profound spiritual truths. It serves as a reminder of the humility and servanthood that are central to the Christian faith, as well as the burdens and challenges that believers may face in their spiritual journey.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Stoop.

2. (a. & n.) from Stoop.

3879. parakupto -- to stoop sideways, to stoop to look
... from para and kupto Definition to stoop sideways, to stoop to look NASB Word Usage
look (1), looks intently (1), stooped and looked (1), stooping and looking (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3879.htm - 6k

Luke and John Suggest that one May Loose the Shoe-Latchets of the ...
... Sixth Book. 19. Luke and John Suggest that One May Loose the Shoe-Latchets
of the Logos Without Stooping Down. We must not, however ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/19 luke and john suggest.htm

The Resurrection.
... And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first
to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxii the resurrection.htm

Angels Announce the Resurrection to Certain Women. Peter and John ...
... outran Peter [it is generally accepted that John was younger, and hence more active
than Peter] , and came first to the tomb; 5 and stooping and looking in, he ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiv angels announce the resurrection.htm

Growth in Grace
... It is observable when nature decays, and people are near dying, they grow more stooping;
and truly, when men's hearts grow more stooping to the earth, and they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 growth in grace.htm

The Gradual Healing of the Blind Man
... I see in them these three things: Christ isolating the man that He would heal; Christ
stooping to the sense-bound nature by using outward means; and Christ ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the gradual healing of the.htm

The Resurrection Morning
... first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen
clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon ...
/.../the resurrection morning.htm

The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation
... things that are. But now He entered the world in a new way, stooping to
our level in His love and Self-revealing to us. He saw the ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 2 the divine dilemma.htm

With the Circus
... cheek; and the roguish expression of the large brown eyes was lost in the haggard
look that well accorded with the telltale cough and the stooping shoulders. ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter viii with the circus.htm

But this Only Son of God, the Father Almighty...
... So then His stooping to us is this, "Born of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary."
His very Nativity too as man, it is lowly, and it is lofty. Whence lowly? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on the creeds/section 6 but this only.htm

Sunday --The Day of Resurrection.
... And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first
to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/sundaythe day of resurrection.htm

Stooping (4 Occurrences)
...Stooping (4 Occurrences). ...Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying
by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened. ...
/s/stooping.htm - 7k

Wrappings (7 Occurrences)
...Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he
departed to his home, wondering what had happened. (See NAS). ...
/w/wrappings.htm - 8k

Cloths (16 Occurrences)
...Stooping and looking in, he saw nothing but the linen cloths: so he went away
to his own home, wondering at what had happened. (WEY ASV BBE). ...
/c/cloths.htm - 10k

Strips (9 Occurrences)
...Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he
departed to his home, wondering what had happened. (WEB RSV). ...
/s/strips.htm - 8k

Sees (135 Occurrences)
... Luke 24:12 But Peter, rising up, ran to the sepulchre, and stooping down he sees
the linen clothes lying there alone, and went away home, wondering at what had ...
/s/sees.htm - 35k

Clothes (208 Occurrences)
... Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld
the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself ...
/c/clothes.htm - 37k

Linen (111 Occurrences)
...Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves,
and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened. ...
/l/linen.htm - 50k

Lying (203 Occurrences)
...Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he
departed to his home, wondering what had happened. (WEB DBY YLT RSV). ...
/l/lying.htm - 44k

Latchet (4 Occurrences)
... The stooping to untie the dusty shoe-latchet was esteemed by Orientals a service
that was at once petty and defiling, and was usually assigned to menials. ...
/l/latchet.htm - 8k

Loaded (21 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 46:1 Bowed down hath Bel, stooping is Nebo, Their idols have been for the
beast and for cattle, Your burdens are loaded, a burden to the weary. ...
/l/loaded.htm - 12k

Stooping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus