[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1305},["ShallowReactive",2],{"footer-links":3,"content-\u002Fterms\u002Fworship":12},[4,9],{"path":5,"title":6,"type":7,"isExternal":8},"\u002Fabout","About","link",false,{"path":10,"title":11,"type":7,"isExternal":8},"\u002Fdisclaimer","Disclaimer",{"id":13,"title":14,"body":15,"description":1296,"extension":1297,"meta":1298,"navigation":1300,"path":1301,"seo":1302,"stem":1303,"__hash__":1304},"content\u002Fterms\u002Fworship.md","Worshipping God",{"type":16,"value":17,"toc":1279},"minimark",[18,22,26,31,34,90,98,103,110,120,123,126,130,145,153,205,208,225,228,245,248,264,267,276,279,297,300,313,316,328,331,344,347,359,362,375,378,390,393,405,408,417,435,439,478,488,511,514,549,552,573,576,589,592,603,606,620,624,627,653,656,665,668,689,692,709,712,725,728,740,743,752,755,764,767,780,784,792,805,807,820,823,842,854,874,892,899,903,906,909,921,924,937,940,954,957,973,976,1002,1005,1008,1021,1023,1039,1042,1059,1061,1073,1076,1093,1096,1105,1109,1113,1131,1133,1149,1157,1160,1182,1186,1202,1210,1231,1234,1237,1244,1248],[19,20,14],"h1",{"id":21},"worshipping-god",[23,24,25],"p",{},"The concept of worship is central to religious life, yet its meaning is often taken for granted. In the English language, a single word is used to describe activities as diverse as singing, kneeling, and performing ritual sacrifices. By examining the Hebrew and Greek terms behind modern translations, it is possible to uncover how these distinct actions were originally understood and how they relate to the spiritual life of a believer today.",[27,28,30],"h2",{"id":29},"meaning-of-worship","Meaning of Worship",[23,32,33],{},"The same English word \"worship\" has 4 meanings:",[35,36,37,52,60],"ul",{},[38,39,40,41,46,47,51],"li",{},"To use ",[42,43,45],"a",{"href":44},"#artwork-worship","art"," to express God's goodness, for example by singing hymns or ",[48,49,50],"em",{},"\"worship music\"",".",[38,53,54,55,59],{},"To ",[42,56,58],{"href":57},"#paying-obeisance-worship","pay obeisance"," to someone in authority.",[38,61,54,62,66,67],{},[42,63,65],{"href":64},"#sacrificial-worship","serve God by sacrificing"," something valuable, for example:\n",[35,68,69,77,84],{},[38,70,71,72,76],{},"to bring an ",[42,73,75],{"href":74},"#offering","offering",", or",[38,78,79,80,76],{},"by ",[42,81,83],{"href":82},"#spiritual-worship","spiritual worship",[38,85,79,86,51],{},[42,87,89],{"href":88},"#fasting","fasting",[23,91,92,93,97],{},"Because ",[42,94,96],{"href":95},"..\u002Ftranslations","bible translators"," use the same word for all of these, it is easy to confuse the acts of worship with each other.",[99,100,102],"h3",{"id":101},"artwork-worship","Artwork Worship",[23,104,105,106,109],{},"The Bible distinguishes between \"worship\" and \"",[42,107,108],{"href":108},"praise","\".",[23,111,112,113,119],{},"Praise is always used in the context of expressing gratitude or honour to God in the form of music, words or public declarations. For instance, scriptures frequently call for praise through singing and instruments (",[114,115,118],"span",{"className":116,"dataReference":118},[117],"bible-ref","Psalm 150:1-6",").",[23,121,122],{},"Sacrificial worship is only possible when one humbles oneself before God with a sacrifice. A sacrifice is anything that one dedicates to God, which may range from a simple fast to an expensive gift or something that was set aside for God's purpose.",[23,124,125],{},"Often worshippers praise God while they worship, but there is no scripture indicating that praise can replace the worship of God.",[99,127,129],{"id":128},"paying-obeisance-worship","Paying Obeisance Worship",[23,131,132,133,137,138,144],{},"This is simply a way of submitting or paying respect to an important person. It could be God (",[114,134,136],{"className":135,"dataReference":136},[117],"Psalm 95:6","), ",[42,139,143],{"href":140,"rel":141},"https:\u002F\u002Feternal.family.net.za\u002Fgod\u002Fson\u002Fas-god\u002Fworship",[142],"nofollow","Jesus"," or a normal human king.",[23,146,147,148,51],{},"Nothing in the Bible forbids this type of physical bowing. The linguistic distinction between physical obeisance and sacred divine service is widely recognized in biblical scholarship, such as in the study of ",[42,149,152],{"href":150,"rel":151},"https:\u002F\u002Fathingworthdoing.com\u002Fworship-verbs-in-the-new-testament\u002F",[142],"New Testament worship verbs",[154,155,156,168,175,190,196],"blockquote",{},[23,157,158,159,163,164,119],{},"The Hebrew word shachah (H7812) and the Greek word proskuneo were both used to represent a physical act, the act of kneeling on the ground before someone and placing the forehead on the ground, or falling full length on the ground before someone, or at least bowing low before someone. The Latin and Latin Vulgate would use adoro (cp. “adore”) and veneror (cp. “venerate”) to represent that act. Prostration or kneeling then touching the forehead to the ground was ",[160,161,162],"strong",{},"an act of respect and honor",", and was supposed to represent an attitude of the heart, but often it was just done so that the ruler would not be offended and become angry, just as Haman became angry when Mordecai would not bow before him (",[114,165,167],{"className":166,"dataReference":167},[117],"Esther 3:5",[23,169,170,171,174],{},"In 1611, when the KJV was written, the English word “worship” was used of the worship of deity, but it was still ",[160,172,173],{},"also used of bowing down before men of higher rank",", which was an expected act of respect and deference at that time. Kings and nobles expected people to bow before them. Thus, it was expected at the time of Jesus and in the 1600s as well, that someone would prostrate themselves or bow down before a superior, especially someone such as a king. It should be noted that kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground is still seen among Muslims when they pray, prostrating themselves before Allah.",[23,176,177,178,181,182,185,186,189],{},"The act of bowing before a king or dignitary then led to some rulers being designated as “Your Worship,” taking the act of worship they received and making it into a title. Because ",[160,179,180],{},"the act of bowing to rulers was still common in 1611, translating proskuneo as “worship” worked very well and was not confusing to the average reader, who still connected “worship” with a physical act of some kind"," (this also fits with the liturgy of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church, which considers “worship” to be a form of prescribed action, not “just” a subjective act of the heart). However, in the four centuries since the King James Version, ",[160,183,184],{},"the meaning of “worship” has changed",". For one thing, ",[160,187,188],{},"we stopped bowing and prostrating ourselves (worshiping) before those of higher rank",". In fact, the idea of “worship” as deeply bowing or falling in prostration before a person of higher status has completely left modern English vocabulary.",[23,191,192,193,51],{},"Thus, while it was appropriate to translate proskuneo as “worship” in 1611, ",[160,194,195],{},"if we today translate proskuneo as “worship,” it often makes the verse take on a meaning that is not in the biblical text at all",[23,197,198,199,204],{},"— ",[42,200,203],{"href":201,"rel":202},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.revbible.com\u002Fword\u002FWorship",[142],"REV Commentary"," (Spirit & Truth Fellowship International)",[23,206,207],{},"For example, Jesus himself told his disciples:",[154,209,210],{},[23,211,212,213,216,217,220,221],{},"A king who wished to settle accounts with his servants... So ",[160,214,215],{},"the servant fell on his knees",", imploring him ",[48,218,219],{},"(the human king)",", ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ -- ",[114,222,224],{"className":223,"dataReference":224},[117],"Matthew 18:26 (ESV)",[23,226,227],{},"Lot \"worshipped\" two strangers:",[154,229,230],{},[23,231,232,233,236,237,240,241],{},"When Lot saw the ",[160,234,235],{},"two strangers",", he got up to meet them “and ",[160,238,239],{},"bowed down with his face to the ground",". -- ",[114,242,244],{"className":243,"dataReference":244},[117],"Genesis 19:1 (NIV)",[23,246,247],{},"Isaac blessed Jacob to be \"worshipped\":",[154,249,250],{},[23,251,252,253,256,257,240,260],{},"Isaac said to Jacob: May…",[160,254,255],{},"peoples bow down to you",". Be lord over your brothers, and may ",[160,258,259],{},"the sons of your mother bow down to you",[114,261,263],{"className":262,"dataReference":263},[117],"Genesis 27:29 (NIV)",[23,265,266],{},"Moses \"worshipped\" his father-in-law:",[154,268,269],{},[23,270,271,272],{},"So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. — ",[114,273,275],{"className":274,"dataReference":275},[117],"Exodus 18:7 (NIV)",[23,277,278],{},"The \"daughter\" had to \"worship\" the king:",[154,280,281,291],{},[23,282,283,284,287,288,51],{},"Hear, O ",[160,285,286],{},"daughter",", and consider, and incline your ear:\nforget your people and your father's house, and the king will desire your beauty.\nSince ",[160,289,290],{},"he is your lord, bow to him",[23,292,198,293],{},[114,294,296],{"className":295,"dataReference":296},[117],"Psalm 45:10-11 (ESV)",[23,298,299],{},"David \"worshipped\" king Saul:",[154,301,302],{},[23,303,304,305,308,309],{},"Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David ",[160,306,307],{},"bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage",". — ",[114,310,312],{"className":311,"dataReference":312},[117],"1 Samuel 24:8 (ESV)",[23,314,315],{},"A man from Saul's camp \"worshipped\" David:",[154,317,318],{},[23,319,320,321,308,324],{},"On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp…. When he came to David, ",[160,322,323],{},"he fell to the ground to pay him honor",[114,325,327],{"className":326,"dataReference":327},[117],"2 Samuel 1:2 (NIV)",[23,329,330],{},"Joab \"worshipped\" the king:",[154,332,333],{},[23,334,335,336,339,340],{},"And Joab ",[160,337,338],{},"fell on his face to the ground and paid homage"," and blessed the king. — ",[114,341,343],{"className":342,"dataReference":343},[117],"2 Samuel 14:22 (ESV)",[23,345,346],{},"Nathan \"worshipped\" king David:",[154,348,349],{},[23,350,351,352,308,355],{},"And they told the king, “Here is Nathan the prophet.” And when he came in before the king, ",[160,353,354],{},"he bowed before the king, with his face to the ground",[114,356,358],{"className":357,"dataReference":358},[117],"1 Kings 1:23 (ESV)",[23,360,361],{},"King Solomon being \"worshipped\":",[154,363,364],{},[23,365,366,367,370,371],{},"So King Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and ",[160,368,369],{},"paid homage to King Solomon",", and Solomon said to him, “Go to your house.” — ",[114,372,374],{"className":373,"dataReference":374},[117],"1 Kings 1:53 (ESV)",[23,376,377],{},"Elisha being \"worshipped\":",[154,379,380],{},[23,381,382,383,308,386],{},"And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him ",[48,384,385],{},"(Elisha)",[114,387,389],{"className":388,"dataReference":389},[117],"2 Kings 2:15 (ESV)",[23,391,392],{},"Jacob \"worshipped\" Joseph's sons:",[154,394,395],{},[23,396,397,398,308,401],{},"By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, ",[160,399,400],{},"bowing in worship over the head of his staff",[114,402,404],{"className":403,"dataReference":404},[117],"Hebrews 11:21 (ESV)",[23,406,407],{},"Obviously, God Himself can also be \"worshipped\" this way:",[154,409,410],{},[23,411,412,413],{},"The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne — ",[114,414,416],{"className":415,"dataReference":416},[117],"Revelation 4:10 (ESV)",[23,418,419,420,424,425,429,430,434],{},"Critiques of this view point to instances in the New Testament where individuals refuse physical obeisance. For example, Peter stopped Cornelius from bowing before him, stating that he was only a man (",[114,421,423],{"className":422,"dataReference":423},[117],"Acts 10:25-26 (ESV)","). Similarly, angels in the Book of Revelation forbid John from bowing down to them (",[114,426,428],{"className":427,"dataReference":428},[117],"Revelation 19:10 (ESV)","; ",[114,431,433],{"className":432,"dataReference":433},[117],"Revelation 22:8-9 (ESV)","). In response, defenders of the obeisance distinction note that in these cases, the prohibition was not against showing cultural respect, but against elevating a fellow creature to the status of a mediator or object of religious service. They argue that when physical bowing was performed as a cultural greeting or acknowledgment of royal authority, it was accepted without condemnation throughout Hebrew history.",[99,436,438],{"id":437},"sacrificial-worship","Sacrificial Worship",[154,440,441,448,456,472],{},[23,442,443,444,447],{},"Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and ",[160,445,446],{},"worship"," and come again to you.”",[23,449,450,451,455],{},"And Abraham took the wood of the ",[42,452,454],{"href":453},"sacrifice","burnt offering"," and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.",[23,457,458,459,462,463,465,466,468,469,471],{},"And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!”",[460,461],"br",{},"\nAnd he said, “Here I am, my son.”\nHe said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a ",[42,464,454],{"href":75},"?”",[460,467],{},"\nAbraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a ",[42,470,454],{"href":453},", my son.”",[23,473,198,474],{},[114,475,477],{"className":476,"dataReference":477},[117],"Genesis 22:5-8 (ESV)",[23,479,480,481,483,484,119],{},"Abraham and Isaac did not go over there to sing hymns to the LORD. Abraham prepared to ",[42,482,453],{"href":453}," his son to God (",[114,485,487],{"className":486,"dataReference":487},[117],"Genesis 22:1-2",[154,489,490,496,499,502,505],{},[23,491,492,493,495],{},"Now He said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and ",[160,494,446],{}," from afar. And Moses alone shall come near the LORD, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.”",[23,497,498],{},"So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments.",[23,500,501],{},"And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the LORD has said we will do.”",[23,503,504],{},"And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD.",[23,506,198,507],{},[114,508,510],{"className":509,"dataReference":510},[117],"Exodus 24:1-4 (NKJV)",[23,512,513],{},"Instead of a musical performance, the biblical text describes a ritual sacrifice:",[154,515,516,531,537],{},[23,517,518,519,522,523,530],{},"And he rose early in the morning, and ",[160,520,521],{},"built an altar"," at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who ",[160,524,525,526,529],{},"offered ",[42,527,528],{"href":453},"burnt offerings"," and sacrificed peace offerings"," of oxen to the LORD. And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people.",[23,532,533,534,536],{},"And they said, “All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.”",[460,535],{},"\nAnd Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words.”",[23,538,539,540,308,545],{},"Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and ",[42,541,544],{"href":542,"rel":543},"https:\u002F\u002Fofgod.info\u002Fappearance",[142],"they saw the God of Israel",[114,546,548],{"className":547,"dataReference":548},[117],"Exodus 24:4-10 (NKJV)",[23,550,551],{},"Another example where people worshipped idols instead:",[154,553,554],{},[23,555,556,557,560,561,564,565,568,569],{},"You shall tear down their ",[160,558,559],{},"altars"," and break their ",[160,562,563],{},"pillars"," and cut down their ",[160,566,567],{},"Asherim"," (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God) — ",[114,570,572],{"className":571,"dataReference":572},[117],"Exodus 34:13-14 (ESV)",[23,574,575],{},"The concern in this passage was not whether the Israelites sang hymns to foreign deities, but rather the offerings they would sacrifice to false gods on altars, pillars, and Asherim poles.",[154,577,578],{},[23,579,580,581,584,585],{},"You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. You shall chop down the carved images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place. ",[160,582,583],{},"You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way",". But you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock. And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the LORD your God has blessed you. — ",[114,586,588],{"className":587,"dataReference":588},[117],"Deuteronomy 12:3-7 (ESV)",[23,590,591],{},"Moses contrasts idol worship with true worship. Another contrast is:",[154,593,594],{},[23,595,596,598,599],{},[160,597,583],{},", for every abominable thing that the LORD hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. — ",[114,600,602],{"className":601,"dataReference":602},[117],"Deuteronomy 12:31 (ESV)",[23,604,605],{},"Even in the New Testament, after Jesus' crucifixion, Paul wrote:",[154,607,608],{},[23,609,610,611,613,614,308,616],{},"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living ",[160,612,453],{},", holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual ",[160,615,446],{},[114,617,619],{"className":618,"dataReference":619},[117],"Romans 12:1 (ESV)",[621,622,623],"h4",{"id":75},"Offering",[23,625,626],{},"Elkanah and Hannah worshipped with a bull sacrifice, flour, wine, and by dedicating her only child:",[154,628,629,640,643],{},[23,630,631,632,635,636,639],{},"Now when she had weaned him, ",[160,633,634],{},"she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine",", and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young. Then ",[160,637,638],{},"they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child"," to Eli.",[23,641,642],{},"And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.”",[23,644,645,646,308,649],{},"So ",[160,647,648],{},"they worshiped the LORD there",[114,650,652],{"className":651,"dataReference":652},[117],"1 Samuel 1:24-28 (NKJV)",[23,654,655],{},"The historical accounts of Moses, Aaron, the priests, and Samuel emphasize the presentation of offerings to the LORD rather than musical praise:",[154,657,658],{},[23,659,660,661],{},"Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!\nMoses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them.\nIn the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them. — ",[114,662,664],{"className":663,"dataReference":664},[117],"Psalm 99:5-7 (ESV)",[23,666,667],{},"This is how David understood \"worship\":",[154,669,670],{},[23,671,672,673,676,677,680,681,429,685],{},"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; ",[160,674,675],{},"bring an offering"," and come before him! ",[160,678,679],{},"Worship the LORD"," in the splendor of holiness; — ",[114,682,684],{"className":683,"dataReference":684},[117],"1 Chronicles 16:29 (ESV)",[114,686,688],{"className":687,"dataReference":688},[117],"Psalm 96:8-9 (ESV)",[23,690,691],{},"This is how Solomon \"worshipped\":",[154,693,694],{},[23,695,696,697,700,701,704,705],{},"As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed ",[160,698,699],{},"the burnt offering and the sacrifices",", and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's house. When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they ",[160,702,703],{},"bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped"," and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. — ",[114,706,708],{"className":707,"dataReference":708},[117],"2 Chronicles 7:1-3 (ESV)",[23,710,711],{},"This is how Hezekiah understood \"worship\":",[154,713,714],{},[23,715,716,717,720,721],{},"Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, “Before one altar you shall ",[160,718,719],{},"worship, and on it you shall burn your sacrifices","”? — ",[114,722,724],{"className":723,"dataReference":724},[117],"2 Chronicles 32:12 (ESV)",[23,726,727],{},"and",[154,729,730],{},[23,731,732,733,720,736],{},"But if you say to me, “We trust in the LORD our God,” is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “",[160,734,735],{},"You shall worship before this altar",[114,737,739],{"className":738,"dataReference":739},[117],"Isaiah 36:7 (ESV)",[23,741,742],{},"This is how Judah and Benjamin's adversaries understood \"worship\":",[154,744,745],{},[23,746,747,748],{},"“Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.” — ",[114,749,751],{"className":750,"dataReference":751},[117],"Ezra 4:2 (ESV)",[23,753,754],{},"This is how Isaiah understood \"worship\":",[154,756,757],{},[23,758,759,760],{},"And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them. — ",[114,761,763],{"className":762,"dataReference":763},[117],"Isaiah 19:21 (ESV)",[23,765,766],{},"This is how the author of Hebrews understood \"worship\":",[154,768,769],{},[23,770,771,772,775,776],{},"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us ",[160,773,774],{},"offer to God acceptable worship",", with reverence and awe, — ",[114,777,779],{"className":778,"dataReference":779},[117],"Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)",[621,781,783],{"id":782},"serve-god","Serve God",[23,785,786,787,791],{},"Often the phrase to \"serve a god\" means to \"worship a god with a sacrifice\" as seen in ",[114,788,790],{"className":789,"dataReference":790},[117],"Deuteronomy 8:19-20",":",[154,793,794],{},[23,795,796,797,800,801],{},"You shall ",[160,798,799],{},"serve"," the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. — ",[114,802,804],{"className":803,"dataReference":804},[117],"Exodus 23:25 (ESV)",[23,806,727],{},[154,808,809],{},[23,810,811,812,815,816],{},"And if you forget the LORD your God and ",[160,813,814],{},"go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish",". Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God. — ",[114,817,819],{"className":818,"dataReference":819},[117],"Deuteronomy 8:19-20 (ESV)",[23,821,822],{},"This phrase was also quoted by Jesus:",[154,824,825],{},[23,826,827,828,830,831,833,834,429,838],{},"And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall ",[160,829,446],{}," the Lord your God, and Him only shall you ",[160,832,799],{},".’” — ",[114,835,837],{"className":836,"dataReference":837},[117],"Luke 4:8 (ESV)",[114,839,841],{"className":840,"dataReference":841},[117],"Matthew 4:9-10 (ESV)",[23,843,844,845,848,849,51],{},"As Jesus himself pointed out, we are not allowed to \"serve\" (sacrifice to) anyone else except the Lord our God. In New Testament Greek, the word for this service is ",[48,846,847],{},"latreuo",", which specifically refers to sacred service or priestly ministry, indicating that religious devotion in the form of service belongs solely to God. This distinction is further discussed in theological analysis of ",[42,850,853],{"href":851,"rel":852},"https:\u002F\u002Fcrossexamined.org\u002Falex-oconnor-misses-the-mark-on-his-distinction-between-types-of-worship\u002F",[142],"types of biblical worship",[154,855,856],{},[23,857,858,859,862,863,866,867,870,871],{},"And I ",[160,860,861],{},"fell at his feet to worship him",". But he said to me, \"See that you do not do that! ",[160,864,865],{},"I am your fellow servant",", and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. ",[160,868,869],{},"Worship God","!\" — ",[114,872,428],{"className":873,"dataReference":428},[117],[154,875,876],{},[23,877,878,879,882,883,885,886,888,889],{},"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, ",[160,880,881],{},"I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel"," who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For ",[160,884,865],{},", and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. ",[160,887,869],{},".” — ",[114,890,433],{"className":891,"dataReference":433},[117],[23,893,894,895,898],{},"In both cases the angel explained that John was not supposed to worship and serve a fellow ",[160,896,897],{},"servant"," who is also supposed to serve God.",[621,900,902],{"id":901},"spiritual-worship","Spiritual Worship",[23,904,905],{},"Since the destruction of the temple, the focus of worship has shifted to spiritual practices.",[23,907,908],{},"When the Samaritan woman told Jesus that they cannot worship God at the temple like the Jews, he responded:",[154,910,911],{},[23,912,913,914,888,917],{},"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must ",[160,915,916],{},"worship in spirit and truth",[114,918,920],{"className":919,"dataReference":920},[117],"John 4:24 (ESV)",[23,922,923],{},"Paul and Timothy also wrote:",[154,925,926],{},[23,927,928,929,932,933],{},"For we are the circumcision, ",[160,930,931],{},"who worship by the Spirit of God"," and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. — ",[114,934,936],{"className":935,"dataReference":936},[117],"Philippians 3:3 (ESV)",[23,938,939],{},"Paul explains the meaning to the Romans:",[154,941,942],{},[23,943,944,945,948,949,308,951],{},"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to ",[160,946,947],{},"present your bodies as a living sacrifice",", holy and acceptable to God, which is your ",[160,950,83],{},[114,952,619],{"className":953,"dataReference":619},[117],[23,955,956],{},"What it practically means to the Corinthians:",[154,958,959],{},[23,960,961,962,965,966,308,969],{},"Or do you not know that your body is a ",[160,963,964],{},"temple of the Holy Spirit within you",", whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So ",[160,967,968],{},"glorify God in your body",[114,970,972],{"className":971,"dataReference":972},[117],"1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)",[23,974,975],{},"Peter also explains:",[154,977,978,985,996],{},[23,979,980,981,984],{},"So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure ",[160,982,983],{},"spiritual milk",", that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.",[23,986,987,988,991,992,995],{},"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, ",[160,989,990],{},"you yourselves like living stones"," are being built up as ",[160,993,994],{},"a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God"," through Jesus Christ.",[23,997,198,998],{},[114,999,1001],{"className":1000,"dataReference":1001},[117],"1 Peter 2:1-5 (ESV)",[621,1003,1004],{"id":89},"Fasting",[23,1006,1007],{},"Fasting is also considered a form of sacrifice, because the sacrificer sacrifices the privilege to eat or drink, for example:",[154,1009,1010],{},[23,1011,1012,1013,1016,1017],{},"And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, ",[160,1014,1015],{},"worshiping with fasting and prayer"," night and day. — ",[114,1018,1020],{"className":1019,"dataReference":1020},[117],"Luke 2:36-37 (ESV)",[23,1022,727],{},[154,1024,1025],{},[23,1026,1027,1028,1031,1032,1034,1035],{},"While they were ",[160,1029,1030],{},"worshiping the Lord and fasting",", the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after ",[160,1033,89],{}," and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. — ",[114,1036,1038],{"className":1037,"dataReference":1038},[117],"Acts 13:2-3 (ESV)",[23,1040,1041],{},"While fasting is sometimes associated with a lack of material offerings, biblical accounts show that individuals of high status, such as King David, also fasted:",[154,1043,1044],{},[23,1045,1046,1047,1050,1051,1054,1055],{},"And the LORD afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And ",[160,1048,1049],{},"David fasted"," and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, ",[160,1052,1053],{},"nor did he eat food"," with them. — ",[114,1056,1058],{"className":1057,"dataReference":1058},[117],"2 Samuel 12:15-17 (ESV)",[23,1060,727],{},[154,1062,1063],{},[23,1064,1065,1066,308,1069],{},"My knees are ",[160,1067,1068],{},"weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no fat",[114,1070,1072],{"className":1071,"dataReference":1072},[117],"Psalm 109:24 (ESV)",[23,1074,1075],{},"Fasting is presented as a way to humble oneself to seek God's favour in critical matters, such as when Esther requested a fast for her people:",[154,1077,1078],{},[23,1079,1080,1081,1084,1085,1088,1089],{},"Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and ",[160,1082,1083],{},"hold a fast"," on my behalf, and ",[160,1086,1087],{},"do not eat or drink for three days",", night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” — ",[114,1090,1092],{"className":1091,"dataReference":1092},[117],"Esther 4:16 (ESV)",[23,1094,1095],{},"Even Jesus fasted:",[154,1097,1098],{},[23,1099,1100,1101],{},"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. — ",[114,1102,1104],{"className":1103,"dataReference":1104},[117],"Matthew 4:1-2 (ESV)",[27,1106,1108],{"id":1107},"reasons-for-worship","Reasons for Worship",[99,1110,1112],{"id":1111},"it-is-commanded","It Is Commanded",[154,1114,1115],{},[23,1116,1117,1118,1126,1127],{},"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; ",[160,1119,1120,1121],{},"worship ",[42,1122,1125],{"href":1123,"rel":1124},"https:\u002F\u002Fofgod.info\u002Fname#yhwh",[142],"the LORD"," in the splendor of holiness. — ",[114,1128,1130],{"className":1129,"dataReference":1130},[117],"Psalm 29:2 (ESV)",[23,1132,727],{},[154,1134,1135],{},[23,1136,1137,1144,1145],{},[160,1138,1139,1140,1143],{},"Exalt ",[42,1141,1125],{"href":1123,"rel":1142},[142]," our God","; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! — ",[114,1146,1148],{"className":1147,"dataReference":1148},[117],"Psalm 99:5 (ESV)",[23,1150,1151,1152,1156],{},"(The old Testament refers to God as \"",[42,1153,1155],{"href":1123,"rel":1154},[142],"YHWH","\" translated as LORD in capital letters)",[23,1158,1159],{},"Jesus introduced the LORD God as \"the Father\":",[154,1161,1162],{},[23,1163,1164,1165,1172,1173,1177,1178],{},"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will ",[160,1166,1120,1167],{},[42,1168,1171],{"href":1169,"rel":1170},"https:\u002F\u002Fofgod.info\u002Ffather",[142],"the Father"," in spirit and truth, for ",[42,1174,1171],{"href":1175,"rel":1176},"https:\u002F\u002Fofgod.info",[142]," is seeking such people to worship him. — ",[114,1179,1181],{"className":1180,"dataReference":1181},[117],"John 4:23 (ESV)",[99,1183,1185],{"id":1184},"it-releases-blessings","It Releases Blessings",[154,1187,1188],{},[23,1189,1190,1191,1194,1195,1198,1199],{},"You shall serve ",[42,1192,1125],{"href":1123,"rel":1193},[142]," your God, and ",[160,1196,1197],{},"He will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away"," from among you. — ",[114,1200,804],{"className":1201,"dataReference":804},[117],[27,1203,1205,1206,1209],{"id":1204},"only-yhwh-may-be-served-by-sacrificial-worship","Only ",[42,1207,1155],{"href":1123,"rel":1208},[142]," May Be Served by Sacrificial Worship",[154,1211,1212],{},[23,1213,1214,1215,1218,1219,1222,1223,429,1227],{},"You shall fear ",[42,1216,1125],{"href":1123,"rel":1217},[142]," your God and ",[42,1220,799],{"href":1221},"#serve-god"," Him, and shall take oaths in His name. — ",[114,1224,1226],{"className":1225,"dataReference":1226},[117],"Deuteronomy 6:13 (NKJV)",[114,1228,1230],{"className":1229,"dataReference":1230},[117],"Luke 4:8",[23,1232,1233],{},"As seen above, there are many forms of worship.",[23,1235,1236],{},"Scripture contains many examples of people creating art, making music, providing offerings, or paying obeisance to other human beings without condemnation.",[23,1238,1239,1240,1243],{},"However, this verse specifically mentions \"serving\" in the context of dedicating one's life. Worship by sacrifice—whether offering a life or dedicating oneself completely—is reserved solely for the LORD (",[42,1241,1155],{"href":1123,"rel":1242},[142],") our God. All life belongs to God alone.",[27,1245,1247],{"id":1246},"conclusion","Conclusion",[23,1249,1250,1251,1254,1255,1257,1258,1260,1261,1263,1264,1266,1267,1269,1270,1272,1273,1275,1276,51],{},"A study of the biblical terminology surrounding worship highlights its multifaceted nature. The various aspects of this concept are defined in ",[42,1252,30],{"href":1253},"#meaning-of-worship",". While praising God through art is an expression of gratitude as shown in ",[42,1256,102],{"href":44},", bowing down is a form of respect that is historically offered to both divine and human authorities as explained in ",[42,1259,129],{"href":57},". In contrast, ",[42,1262,438],{"href":64},"—including an ",[42,1265,623],{"href":74},", dedicated service to ",[42,1268,783],{"href":1221},", ",[42,1271,902],{"href":82},", and ",[42,1274,1004],{"href":88},"—involves a dedication of life that belongs exclusively to the Creator. The scriptural justification and benefits of this exclusive service are outlined in ",[42,1277,1108],{"href":1278},"#reasons-for-worship",{"title":1280,"searchDepth":1281,"depth":1281,"links":1282},"",2,[1283,1289,1293,1295],{"id":29,"depth":1281,"text":30,"children":1284},[1285,1287,1288],{"id":101,"depth":1286,"text":102},3,{"id":128,"depth":1286,"text":129},{"id":437,"depth":1286,"text":438},{"id":1107,"depth":1281,"text":1108,"children":1290},[1291,1292],{"id":1111,"depth":1286,"text":1112},{"id":1184,"depth":1286,"text":1185},{"id":1204,"depth":1281,"text":1294},"Only YHWH May Be Served by Sacrificial Worship",{"id":1246,"depth":1281,"text":1247},"The English word \"worship\" translates several distinct Hebrew and Greek concepts, which can lead to confusion about what it means to serve God.","md",{"keywords":1299},"worship meaning, shachah, proskuneo, paying obeisance, sacrificial worship, spiritual worship, biblical translation, bowing respect, fasting sacrifice",true,"\u002Fterms\u002Fworship",{"title":14,"description":1296},"terms\u002Fworship","slhDZQWn_imK1AzXsmaQsTaN-55ZL3XhjLwDt__nIiA",1785554768813]