Biblical Worship

The primary word is shachah: To prostrate. In Exodus, Israel was commanded not to approach the mountain, but to "worship from afar" (Exo 24:1). (Thus it isn't a matter of proximity.) Oddly, one section describes them as rising up and worshiping at their tent doors (Exo 33:10). It's odd because they rose up and prostrated themselves. Getting past the odd image, what we can see is that this kind of worship is clearly intentional. They didn't simply fall where they were. They went to a particular location and worshiped.

There is a repeated theme in the Old Testament to avoid worshiping other gods. Often they are told not to "serve and worship them" (Deu 8:19; 30:17; 1 Kings 9:6). That "worship" is shachah, and the "serve" there is another common Hebrew word for worship, abad. It means (as indicated) to serve. Thus, serving God is worship.

The New Testament Greek has a couple of terms as well. Very common is proskuneo. It means, literally, to "kiss toward". The image is that of a dog licking its master's hand. It is a fawning. The idea here is basically the same as the Hebrew shachah, with the additional sense of affection. When Jesus quotes the Old Testament warning to Satan -- "You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve" (Matt 4:10) -- the word there is proskuneo.

If you've ever read Rom 12:1 in various translations, you will find something a little strange. The ESV speaks of "spiritual worship". The King James says it is "reasonable service". The NAS calls it "service of worship". And so it goes. So ... what is it? Well the word is latreia (or some derivative) and is a reference to service. Thus, the Greek latreia would be the equivalent of the Hebrew abad. This word is used quite often for "worship". In both cases, serving God is classified as worship.

The Greek actually has a couple more versions of the concept. In Colossians 2:18, for instance, the word threskeia is used. It refers to ceremonial observance. Another, sebasma, refers to adoration (e.g., Matt 15:9; 2 Thess 2:4).

In summary, then, both Old and New Testament imagine that worship is first and foremost a position of humility, of prostration. Both also include service to God in the concept of worship. Other components would include adoration and even ceremony. These are all tied up in the biblical concept of worship.

We, of course, know much better today. We understand that worship is singing some rousing songs to feel warmly about our God. Perhaps the Catholics do some kneeling, but most of us aren't going to be found on our knees, let alone on our faces. We are perfectly willing to go to church, but actually serving is an option most often reserved for the special few. Oh, and, of course we like that "adoration" thing. What do you think we're trying to accomplish with our singing?

Sadly, I think we've come a long way from biblical worship. Prostration, submission, service, these things are not typically in our minds when we think of worship. Perhaps they ought to be. The story is told of a boy who was misbehaving in class and was sent to sit in the corner for punishment. He told the teacher, "I'm sitting on the outside, but I'm standing on the inside." We're not likely to be going to a church that encourages prostration or serious submission. Service is always optional. It shouldn't be. But as genuine followers of Christ, perhaps we ought to be the reverse of that boy. "I may be sitting or standing on the outside, but inside I'm prostrated before my Lord and Savior." At least it's a start.