This is one of the most important questions that every Christian needs to answer. It is also one of the most misunderstood words in Christianity. If a group of Christians in the western world were asked the question, “What is worship?” I think that most would give an answer including something about music. While singing/music is one form of worship, there are many other forms of worship and it still does not answer the question of what worship fundamentally is. In order to answer the question adequately, a deep dive into the literal meaning of the word and Biblical context is necessary.
For a literal context, the English word “worship” means, “to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion.”* If one were to do a quick word search for every Bible reference with the word “worship” in it, there would be many passages found. Looking at the context of these passages would render a good, biblical definition of the English use of “worship.” However, just because many passages use the English word “worship” does not mean that it is the same Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek word translated. In fact, there are at least 7 different Hebrew words and 7 different Greek words that are translated as the one English word. Knowing the definitions of these words can provide depth to the idea or practice of worship.
The Hebrew words translated as worship in the Old Testament are as follows: saha, qadad, yare, yira, daras, sarat, and abad.** The meanings of these words provide helpful insight into what worship is.
Saha and qadad are both in reference to bowing down.** This is a physical example of showing respect and also humbling oneself. In Scripture, almost every time an angel or God shows up in some visible way, humans immediately bow down.
Yare and yira both refer to a reverence or fear of God.** Most places in the Old Testament that say, “the fear of the LORD” use the word “yare.”** Though they are more commonly translated as “fear,” they are also translated as “worship.”** There is a certain awe, respect, and fear that God demands. Yes, He himself commands us to have this response, but God’s moral superiority does, and should, produce a natural response of fear. This is considered worship.
Daras can be both physical and spiritual. This word conveys the idea of following or searching for something.** Though this can be translated simply as searching for an item, it is also translated as worship when in reference to God.
Sarat is used in the context of a worship ceremony or an act in ministry.** This is usually in the context of priestly sacrifices or serving God in a physical way.
All of these words have definitions that many would not be surprised to find used in reference to worship. It is easy to see how bowing down, fear and reverence, seeking, and ministering/serving are all forms and/or parts of worship. The New Testament is consistent with the Old Testament in the Greek words used as well (Proskyneo, sebo, latreuo, sebasma, latreia, threskeia, and leitourgia).** Moving back to Hebrew, the word abad has an unexpected meaning. Abad carries a different idea. It literally means, “to work, to serve, keep in bondage, husbandman, [and] worshiper,” along with many other synonyms of those listed.** To most, this probably seems odd. If the work is ministry-related, this would just be a synonym of sarat. However, if it is used in a more general sense, this is the first word that really challenges the typical idea of worship.
Before one concludes that these definitions summed up compose the entire meaning of worship, the context of the passages these words are used in is necessary. If one said he or she loved something, that person would have to define what they mean by love as the English word love is very general. Even when using a more specific term, often the context can alter the meaning for any language. So, in order to understand what worship is biblically and how to practice it, a survey of Scripture is necessary.
Because Jesus was the fulfillment of all the Old Testament, the time of Christ is one of the best places to find the essence of what worship is. In John 4, Jesus is having a discussion with the woman at the well. The woman tries to change the subject by complaining about how the Jews say that Jerusalem is the only place to worship (bow down and show homage).** Jesus then replies by saying:
The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:21-24).
Jesus stated that now, in the New Covenant, true worshipers must worship God in spirit and in truth. The Greek word for spirit refers to the essence of a person and the Greek word for truth just means objective truth.2 Before conclusions are made on this passage, other passages should be looked at to further clarify this statement.
Romans clarifies what is meant by this phrase. More specifically, worshiping in spirit. Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Paul states that a Christian’s “spiritual worship” is to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. In the Old Covenant, the Jews were commanded to make sacrifices and worship in the temple. The sacrifices were meant to atone for the sins of the people and remind them how horrible their sin was. It was also part of their worship. So now, Paul is saying that Christians are to worship God by being a living sacrifice. This means that an understanding of the cost of sin, striving to destroy sin, and following the commands of Jesus are what worship is. It is denying the sinful desires and actions of oneself and submitting to Jesus Christ.
When looking back at the definitions of the many Hebrew and Greek words for worship, it becomes clear that all of those words describe what worship truly is. The essence of worship is just what Jesus said, “in spirit and in truth.” If Christians attempt to do everything that Jesus commands, sing the songs, do the ministry, kill the external sins, and “worship” in truth but their spirit is not worshiping, then it isn’t true worship. If Christians attempt to praise God and talk about how much they love Him but live sinful lives and have no idea what the Bible says at all, that is not true worship. True worship is also not just done in the church. True worship, as defined by Christ, is completely abandoning one’s own desires, submitting joyfully to the commands of God, and praising His glorious name to the core of one’s being. It is searching every area of one’s life – career, ministry, spiritual disciplines, family, friends, personal desires – to kill the flesh and sin and to turn in obedience to God out of love for Him. In short, it is living for Christ.
One final example of this is in the Romans passage right before Romans 12:1. In Romans 11, Paul is explaining how the Gentiles (non-Jews) have been grafted into the covenant where some of Israel was cast out. He is in deep theological discussion and warning both sides not to get cocky. Near the end of his explanation of it all, it seems as though he interrupts the dialogue with this exclamation: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” He continues on, quoting from the Old Testament. This is a great example of what he is about to say in chapter 12. Paul is in awe of the riches of God’s glorious truth that he interrupts his writing to praise God and thank Him for who He is. This should be the attitude of the Christian: excited to learn about the intricacies of doctrines that enrich our understanding of praise given to God as our desires to love and follow Him grow. One that is excited to learn about the depths and intricacies of doctrine which enriches the depths of the inner praise given to God and grows the desire and drive to follow Him.
References
* “America’s Most Trusted Dictionary.” Merriam-Webster. Accessed September 29, 2023. https://www.merriam-webster.com/.
**“Blue Letter Bible.” Blue Letter Bible. Accessed September 29, 2023. https://www.blueletterbible.org/.
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