Sitting

A bodily posture associated with resting, eating or instruction. When used of God, the image often conveys the idea of kingly authority over creation.

Sitting to rest

Genesis 18:1; John 4:6 See also Exodus 2:15, Exodus 17:12; 1 Kings 19:4; Matthew 26:36

Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.

Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

Sitting to eat

Exodus 32:6; Luke 17:7 See also Judges 19:6; Ruth 2:14; 1 Samuel 20:24; Proverbs 23:1; Jeremiah 16:8; Matthew 14:19; 1 Corinthians 10:7

So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?

Sitting to teach or to learn

Matthew 5:1–2 See also Matthew 13:2; Mark 9:35; Luke 2:46, Luke 10:39; John 8:2

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:

Sitting for prayer

Judges 21:2 See also 2 Samuel 7:18

So the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, lifting up their voices and weeping bitterly.

Sitting as a sign of authority

Human authority

Exodus 11:5 See also 1 Kings 1:13, 1 Kings 3:6; 2 Kings 10:30; Zechariah 6:13; Mark 10:37

and every firstborn son in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the servant girl behind the hand mill, as well as the firstborn of all the cattle.

Divine authority

Psalm 29:10 See also 1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 47:8, Psalm 80:1; Isaiah 6:1; Matthew 26:64; Luke 20:42; Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 3:21, Revelation 4:10, Revelation 7:10

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

Sitting to judge

Exodus 18:13; Matthew 25:31 See also 2 Samuel 19:8; Proverbs 20:8; Isaiah 28:6; Jeremiah 38:7; Daniel 7:26; Joel 3:12; Matthew 27:19; Luke 22:30; Acts 23:3

The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening.

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.

Sitting as a sign of possession and peace

Micah 4:4 See also Zechariah 3:10

And each man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, with no one to frighten him. For the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken.

Jesus Christ seated at God's right hand

Luke 22:69; Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1