The word worship appears in the bible many times having many different Hebrew and Greek origins. Looking at the meaning and usage of these words can be extremely helpful to help us find the meaning of worship and establish a biblical foundation for our worship. We can also see other examples of worship in the Old and New Testament by examining the scriptures closely and applying with it our knowledge of the meaning of worship.
Let's look at some Hebrew and Greek words regarding worship. I grouped similar Hebrew/Greek together as many scholars do to better understand it as a whole.
Words and Meanings:
שחה shachah [H] & proskuneo [G]-"depress," "bow down," "prostrate","bow down in worship", "to adore" = It points to an inner and outer homage to God with awe and surrender. (Gen. 22:5, 24:26-27, Ps. 66:4), (Matt. 2:2, 2:11, Jn. 4:24) Other words that have a similar expression are: caghadh [H] - "to fall down", "to bow down" (Job 1:20, Isaiah 44:15, 17, 19 and 46 : 6)
עבד avad [H] & latreuo [G]-"to serve," "to minister," "to work" = Worship as service implies a total lifestyle of allegience to God. (Ex.3:12, Ps. 100:2, Duet. 6:13, 10:12-13), (Acts 24:14, Rom 12:1, Phil 3:3) Other words that have a similar expression are: abhadh [H] - also abhodhah "to serve", "to work", " to labour", "to be bound", "to enslave" (Exodus 3:12) / therapeuo - "serve," "heal," "tend" "to relieve", "to wait upon menially" (Acts 17:25) / atsabh - ‘carve,’ ‘fabricate,’ ‘fashion,’ is once given ‘worship,’ i.e. ‘make (an object of) worship (Jer 44:19) / also: threskeia [G] (see next section for more details)
ירא yare [H] & phoboumenoi [G]-"to fear, "to respect" = To fear God and have reverence and respect for Him and move toward service. (1 Sam. 12:14, Duet. 8:6, Eccl. 12:13, Job 1:1, Prov 3:7), (Acts 9:31, Acts 13:16, Rev 14:7). Other words that have a similar expression are: sebomai [G]-"to revere", "to fear", "to adore - devout", "religous worship" is used 10 times one of which is (Matt. 15:9) / threskeia [G]- "to observe commands", "to observe religiously" is also used as "religion" it can be "will-worship," "ceremonial observance," "an act of reverence" , = It has the root idea of trembling or fear and also identifies more of a ritual or form of worship. (Acts 26:5, James 1:26-27, Col 2:18)
ידה yadah [H] & exomologeo [G]-"to give thanks," "to make confession," = This was more than a gratitude expression, it also meant a confession of God being God. (Ps 136:1, Phil 2:10-11)
So we see the four basic expressions of worship: bowing down, service, reverence, praise/thanks (confession of gratitude). Each of the primary expressions has many facets and worship concepts that go with them which helps us apply them to our lives and 'live out' worship.
Worship is our response to God yet it is made possible through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at the command and will of the Father. Worship is now available to us! Wow. Jesus sacraficed. We are made clean. AND we are adopted into the family! We are children of God. We are pure. We are righteous. We are no longer bound by our sins. We have reason to Worship! "I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship (BrookeFraser)".
Let us come to God with celebration and give thanks for the wonderful and mighty God He is, and let us fall down before Him with homage and surrender as we begin to catch a glimpse of His power. Let us realize, as our faces are on the ground, that He alone is deserving of our reverence & fear then move toward action & service as we surrender with a lifestyle of allegience to Him. Let us Worship.
He is worthy.
Sources Used:
Crannell, Philip Wendell. "Worship," International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Edited by James Orr. Blue Letter Bible. 1913. 1 Apr 2007. 3 Mar 2010.
Webber, Robert E. "Worship Old and New" Copyright (c) 1994, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI
Muchow, Rick. "What does the word 'worship' mean?" Unpublished document from an E-mail.
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Definition for 'WORSHIP'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". bible-history.com - ISBE; 1915.
