What Does The Word ‘Worship’ Mean In Hebrew And Greek?

- Ariel Shanelle

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All scriptures are taken from NKJV unless otherwise marked.

What does worship mean to you? I love to express to God my feelings toward Him and simply remember all that He’s brought me through. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for Him. However, everyone expresses their love for God in different ways. Since Hebrew and Greek words give  a deeper meaning to English words, I thought it would be a great idea to research the word ‘worship’ in these different languages.

If you’d like to find more content like this, please visit my other website: misfitministries.org

The Word ‘Worship’ In Hebrew

There are three different words used for worship in the Old Testament. I’m going to go over each one with you.

cagad- to prostrate oneself. The word prostrate has these following definitions found in the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary:

“1. Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface.

2. Lying at mercy, as a supplicant.

3. Lying in the posture of humility of adoration.“

atsab- to fabricate or fashion.

shachah- to prostate in homage (reverence to God or devout affection). This term is commonly used to describe bowing in worship or respect to the Almighty God.

Definition of worship in Hebrew means to bow in reverence.

The Word ‘Worship’ In Greek

doxa- dignity, glory, and glorious. If you look up the word worship, you’ll find out there’s a noun form of the word. It means excellence in character. Doxa is used to describe the wonderful glory, character, and wonderful reputation of God.

eusebeo- (toward God) worship or (toward parents) to respect. This term means ‘to reverence’.  Eusebeo is used in these two scriptures:

“But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.”

-1 Timothy 5:4

“Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;  for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.


 

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”

-Acts 17:22-24

 

latreuo- serve, do the service, worship, or worshipper. This term is found in the following scriptures:

“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son…”

-Romans 1:9

“I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience…”

2 Timothy 1:3

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

Hebrews 12:28

The definition of worship in greek means to prostrate oneself.

Serving God is a form of worship. The Bible says do all that you do unto the Lord. By reflecting God’s character and obeying His Word, we are worshiping Him.

proskuneo- worship or prostrate. This word is translated into worship over 60 times in the Bible.

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What does the word worship mean in hebrew and in greek?


Thanks for sharing!

16 thoughts on “What Does The Word ‘Worship’ Mean In Hebrew And Greek?”

  2. I enjoyed the share… very insightful!!!! I have a close friend who also did a blog on worship called Scent over Sound.. Which is very refreshing to say the least…. Truly I believe this blog with captivate the understanding of men on terms of worship…. Once again… Enjoyed the share!

  5. This was very helpful for me as I really needed to know the exact Hebrew meaning of “worship”, so as to apply it appropriately in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
    May His Spirit endow you much more with insights from above for the usefulness of the Body of Christ,Amen.
    Once again, am grateful. God bless & strengthen you
    If there are other links on Hebraic & Greek definitions that I can check up,please let me know as I will be grateful.

    1. Thank you so much for your blessing. I just created another website where I can continue creating content that is pleasing to the Lord. Please, check it out:
      misfitministries.org
      Thank you again and may the Lord bless you as well.

  6. Marvelous insight that further deepens my understanding of Worship.

    May Yahweh God in Christ empower your ministry to reach others for Christ.

    Amen.

    1. Thank you for your comment! If you’d like more content like this, please check out my other website: misfitministries.org

      May the Lord bless you!

  7. This has been helpful to me, as I am writing an assignment on the meaning of worship from it’s original languages Hebrew and Greek

  11. Thank you for adding light to the concept of worship. For worship cant be effective without light in the worshipper. This light you have added. Blessings!

  12. Thank you so much for the powerful Revelation of great meaning and help to all of us may our good Lord continue increasing you in wisdom and may He bless you greatly. May God,the love of Christ and the fellowship of the Holy spirit be with you now and always, Amen.

  13. This was really amazing. .shared about the word Shachah sunday night in the church where I worship….. it blew my mind… thank u for this….brings a new meaning and a deeper form of worship in my spirit .. God bless…. from Durban South Africa

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