I guess we can’t go too far without answering one really basic question: what is worship? Seems like a simple thing, but I hear it used in all different ways. Some people use the word worship to refer to the whole Sunday morning experience as in “Wasn’t the worship service great this morning?” Others use worship exclusively to talk about what we do in the service generally before the sermon as in, “Man, worship time was awesome this morning!”. This is usually mostly about singing in people’s minds. Finally, some people believe you worship through your lifestyle, as in “Worship God by loving and serving others.” At this rate, worship may end up meaning being alive as in, “Wow! I am so glad to still be worship.” Ok, maybe that is taking it too far, but clearly we need some help from the Bible to define this.
Unfortunately “worship” is just an English word that we use to translate SEVERAL words in both Hebrew and Greek. Our word “worship” comes from the Old English “weorthscipe,” which means worthiness. We “worship” someone because they are “worth” the respect they receive. In British English, “Worship” was actually used as a title for various officials, usually magistrates and some mayors. You have to look at these passages in the Bible to decide if the word worship fits best, and why translators chose this term.
In the Old Testament, worship is most often used for the Hebrew word “shachah”, which originally literally meant to bow down before someone “worthy” of honor or obedience. Occasionally, some translations will use worship for the Hebrew word “abad”, which usually carries a connotation of serving, generally in a liturgical sense (there are a few other Hebrew words translated as “worship,” but the uses are more rare). What we need to think about is what these Hebrew words tell us about how people have relationship with God.
“Shachah” is often translated as “prostrated”/”bow down”/”pay homage” in the English Bible. This was the appropriate behavior when in the presence of a king or powerful ruler. Here are a few examples from the NIV of this:
Genesis 23:7 (NIV) Then Abraham rose and bowed down [shachah] before the people of the land, the Hittites.
1 Kings 1:23 (NIV)
And they told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So he went before the king and bowed [shachah] with his face to the ground.
However, when “shacah” is used as an action done before God, translators use the term “worship” to indicate that it isn’t just homage to a person, but rather to God. It may mean the person is literally bowing down before God, but it also reflects their heart toward Him.
Exodus 24:1
Then he said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship [shachah] at a distance…
Exodus 33:10 (NASB)
When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship [shachah], each at the entrance of his tent.
From the first passage, we can see that God Himself is quoted as using the word “shachah” and He is telling the Israelites HOW they should worship. God has foundational guidelines for worship. Second, both of these references are from Exodus, yet the last passage seems to indicate that “shachah” has taken on a new meaning beyond bowing down. How else can we explain that the people “arise” and worship? That in it’s literal sense would be an oxymoron. The Jews themselves saw the progression of the term from a physical stance to a heart attitude and action meaning paying honor to God.
The term “shachah” then shows us that worship is our deep humility before God, bowing before Him in all things, yet also carries a connotation of obedience. What good is it to an earthly king if you bowed down before him with no intent to follow his law? To “shacah” without obedience following is fairly useless to a king. Our worship of God rests on grace as we are saved in Jesus, however, our heart attitude needs to be that in worshiping God, we are combining it with an effort at a life of obedience. Otherwise, our worship can be hollow.
The other Hebrew word used for worship is “abad”, and literally means “to serve”. When people are serving (abad) God, some translators use the term “worship” as in the following Scriptures:
Exodus 3:12(NIV) And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. ”
Exodus 20:5(NIV) You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me…”
The clear contrast here is of serving/worshiping God instead of serving/worshiping idols. In the first reference, the Israelites were to serve God through sacrifice and paying Him honor. In the second, they were commanded not to do the same for false gods. Like “shachah” there is an element of obedience in worship.
In the next post, we will look at the New Testament Greek words normally translated as worship. For now, let us think about and apply what we have learned from the Hebrew terms. Worship represented a deep felt humility and honoring one who was worthy of respect and honor. So much so, that they often literally got down on their face to “worship” God. I am not saying we all need to hit the carpet, but our heart attitudes and lack of pride should show that same bowing down mentality. The Hebrew words also showed how worship is connected to our obedient lifestyle. Going and singing on Sunday, even if you have a great voice, doesn’t impress God. He is looking for worship that flows from our whole life of following Him and His holy ways.
The Bible Nerd 