Kejadian 17:3

17:3 Abram bowed down with his face to the ground, ¹  and God said to him, ² 

Bilangan 14:5

14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground ³  before the whole assembled community ⁴  of the Israelites.

[17:3]  ¹ tn Heb “And Abram fell on his face.” This expression probably means that Abram sank to his knees and put his forehead to the ground, although it is possible that he completely prostrated himself. In either case the posture indicates humility and reverence.

[17:3]  ² tn Heb “God spoke to him, saying.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[14:5]  ³ sn This action of Moses and Aaron is typical of them in the wilderness with the Israelites. The act shows self-abasement and deference before the sovereign Lord. They are not bowing before the people here, but in front of the people they bow before God. According to Num 17:6-15 this prostration is for the purpose of intercessory prayer. Here it prevents immediate wrath from God.

[14:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “before all the assembly of the congregation.”