The term "downwards" in the Bible often conveys a physical direction, a spiritual descent, or a metaphorical decline. It is used to describe movement from a higher place to a lower one, both in a literal and figurative sense. This concept is significant in understanding various biblical narratives and teachings.

Physical Descent

In a literal sense, "downwards" is used to describe physical movement from an elevated position to a lower one. For example, in Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. This imagery of movement downwards signifies the connection between heaven and earth, illustrating God's presence and the accessibility of divine interaction.

Spiritual Descent

The Bible also uses the concept of moving downwards to describe spiritual decline or moral degradation. In the account of Jonah, the prophet's journey is marked by a downward trajectory as he flees from God's command. Jonah goes "down to Joppa" (Jonah 1:3) and then "down into the ship" (Jonah 1:3), symbolizing his spiritual descent as he attempts to escape God's will. This downward movement reflects Jonah's initial disobedience and the consequences of turning away from God's directives.

Metaphorical Decline

The term "downwards" can also be understood metaphorically to describe a decline in status or fortune. In the book of Job, Job experiences a dramatic fall from prosperity to suffering. His lamentations reflect a downward spiral in his circumstances, as he grapples with loss and seeks understanding from God. Job's account illustrates the theme of human vulnerability and the testing of faith through trials.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible often contrasts upward and downward movements to convey moral and ethical teachings. In Proverbs, wisdom is associated with the path that leads upwards, while folly leads downwards to destruction. Proverbs 15:24 states, "The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol." This verse highlights the importance of pursuing wisdom and righteousness to avoid spiritual and moral decline.

Symbolism in Worship and Sacrifice

In the context of worship and sacrifice, the direction downwards can symbolize humility and submission before God. The act of bowing down in worship is a physical expression of reverence and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were often made on altars, with the smoke rising upwards as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, while the act of laying the sacrifice downwards on the altar signified surrender and devotion.

Conclusion

The concept of "downwards" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from physical movement to spiritual and moral implications. It serves as a powerful symbol of descent, whether in disobedience, humility, or the natural course of life. Understanding this term within its biblical context enriches the interpretation of Scripture and its teachings on the human condition and relationship with God.1. (adv.) From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards.

2. (adv.) From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin.

3. (adv.) From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from one to another in a descending line.

2736. kato -- down, below
... Transliteration: kato Phonetic Spelling: (kat'-o;) Short Definition: down, below,
lower, under, less Definition: (a) down, below, also: downwards, (b) lower ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2736.htm - 6k

2665. katapetasma -- a curtain (the inner veil of the temple)
... katapetasma Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ap-et'-as-mah) Short Definition: a veil, curtain
Definition: (lit: that which is spread out downwards, that which hangs down ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2665.htm - 6k

4628. skelos -- the leg (from the hip down)
... down). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: skelos Phonetic Spelling:
(skel'-os) Short Definition: the leg Definition: the leg (from the hip downwards ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4628.htm - 6k

4295. mattah -- downwards
... 4294, 4295. mattah. 4296 . downwards. Transliteration: mattah Phonetic
Spelling: (mat'-taw) Short Definition: downward. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4295.htm - 6k

3381. yarad -- to come or go down, descend
... to descend, to go downwards to a lower region, as the shore. A primitive root;
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally ...
/hebrew/3381.htm - 7k

Christ's Birth
... Meanwhile the Blessed Virgin, borne up in ecstasy, was now gazing downwards, adoring
her God, whose Mother she had become and who lay on the earth before her ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

Religious Sects and Parties
... While the popes were thus trying to lord it over all men, from the emperor downwards,
there were many who hated their doctrines and would not allow their ...
/.../chapter xix religious sects and.htm

That the High and the Next Way to Heaven is Run by Desires, and ...
... should ascend bodily and thereafter send the Holy Ghost bodily, then it was more
seemly that it was upwards and from above than either downwards and from ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the sixtieth chapter.htm

This Region of Light must be Material if it is Joined to the ...
... four squares, three white and one black; then suppose the three white pieces joined
as one, and conceive them as infinite upwards and downwards, and backwards ...
/.../chapter 21 name region of.htm

Of the Antipodes, the Heaven, and the Stars.
... or that the things which with us are in a recumbent position, with them hang in
an inverted direction? that the crops and trees grow downwards? ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiv of the antipodes the.htm

Hence Let Him that is Able, Follow with his Understanding Thy ...
... how speak of the weight of evil desires, downwards to the steep abyss; and how charity
raises up again by Thy Spirit which was borne above the waters? ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vii hence let him.htm

That the Holy Spirit Brings us to God.
... whom shall I tell this? How speak of the weight of lustful desires, pressing
downwards to the steep abyss? and how charity raises ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vii that the holy spirit.htm

Why the Holy Spirit was Only "Borne Over" the Waters.
... [1197] The body by its own weight gravitates towards its own place. Weight goes
not downward only, but to its own place. Fire tends upwards, a stone downwards. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ix why the holy spirit.htm

More Difficulties of the Atomic Theory.
... "But if any one say that atoms of a fiery quality, being joined together, formed
a body, and because the quality of fire does not tend downwards, but upwards ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xix more difficulties of the.htm

Doctrine of Atoms Untenable.
... they say that those corpuscles, which they call atoms, are of different qualities:
that some are moist, and therefore heavy, and tending downwards; others dry ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xvii doctrine of atoms untenable.htm

Downwards (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move,
roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards. ...Downwards (2 Occurrences). ...
/d/downwards.htm - 7k

Downward (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Alt. of Downwards. 2. (a.) Moving or
extending from a higher to a lower place; tending toward ...
/d/downward.htm - 10k

Dowry (5 Occurrences)

/d/dowry.htm - 11k

Upwards (18 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of the children of men? Doth it go upwards?
and the spirit of the beasts, doth it go downwards to the earth? (DBY). ...
/u/upwards.htm - 12k

Lapwing (2 Occurrences)
... It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight, upwards,
downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze. ...
/l/lapwing.htm - 8k

Incumbent (1 Occurrence)
... one of them. 4. (a.) Bent downwards so that the ends touch, or rest on,
something else; as, the incumbent toe of a bird. 5. (n.) A ...
/i/incumbent.htm - 7k

Downpour (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A pouring or streaming downwards; esp., a heavy or
continuous shower. Multi-Version Concordance Downpour (4 Occurrences). ...
/d/downpour.htm - 7k

Descending (23 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Descend. 2. (a.) of or pertaining to descent; moving
downwards. Multi-Version Concordance Descending (23 Occurrences). ...
/d/descending.htm - 13k

Disembowelled (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 1:18 (Now having bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness
he fell there with his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he ...
/d/disembowelled.htm - 6k

Descend (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To pass from a higher to a lower place; to move downwards; to come or go
down in any way, as by falling, flowing, walking, etc.; to plunge; to fall; to ...
/d/descend.htm - 19k

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