Bible Questions and Answers

The Old and New Testaments were written in Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek respectively.

The original words were written by direct inspiration of God.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God...

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Mark 12:36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

For this reason Christ could say:

John 10:35 ...the scripture cannot be broken;

And Paul can base doctrine on an original word being singular and not plural:

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Those who understand and speak English, rather than Hebrew/Aramaic or Greek, need a translation in order to determine what God caused to be written.

Translators use the nearest (in their opinion) equivalent English words to translate the original words.

This means that rather than go to an English dictionary for the meaning of the words used in the English translation, we must look at the original words and take into account the context and the way that the words are used elsewhere in scripture.

The best tool that the average reader has available is Strong’s Concordance which lists both the meaning and usage of the original words.

WORSHIP

Using Strong’s Concordance:

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word translated ‘worship’ is as follows:

Worship <07812> החשׁ shachah

Meaning: to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God).

Translated in the King James Version – ‘worship’ 99 times, ‘bow’ 31 times, ‘bow down’ 18 times, ‘obeisance’ 9 times, ‘reverence’ 5 times, ‘fall down’ 3 times, ‘themselves’ 2 times, ‘stoop’ 1 time, ‘crouch’ 1 time, misc 3 times.

Example:

Genesis 24:26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped <07812> the LORD.

In the Old Testament the Aramaic word translated ‘worship’ is as follows:

Worship <05457> דגס cegid (Aramaic)

Translated in the King James Version – ‘worship’ 12 times.

Meaning: to prostrate oneself, do homage.

Example:

Daniel 2:46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped <05457> Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

In the New Testament the Greek word translated ‘worship’ is as follows:

Worship <4352> προσκυνεω proskuneo

Meaning: to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore).

Translated in the King James Version – ‘worship’ 60 times.

Example:

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped <4352> him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

ADORATION

The words ‘adore’ and ‘adoration’ are never used by the King James translators nor are they found in respected translations such as the NKJV and the RSV. This means that in Biblical terms the English word is irrelevant.

The difference between worship and adoration can be determined by reference to an English dictionary, but it has no relevance in understanding the Bible.

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless you,
Glenn,