Over the last few weeks we looked at several words in the Bible typically translated in the English as worship. Because our English Bible only uses one word to translate all of these expressions, we often think of worship in very limited ways, usually only that which we have been taught. With each new word we learned more about what it actually means to worship.
Last week we looked at the Greek word proskeneo, to kiss toward or bow down. This week we are continuing with two more words, this time in Hebrew, that also express the idea of bowing down. These two Hebrew words are ‘shachah’ and ‘sagad.’
The word ‘shachah’ occurs 172 times in the Old Testament and is typically associated with obedience, bowing down as an act of obedience towards a master. This position assumes the bower is subserviant and will do the will of the master. For us to bow down before God in worship is a recognition of the greatness of God, and most importantly, signals willing obedience.
The second term ‘sagad’ refers to bowing down as an act of paying homage, and is often used in contexts other than worship. It is most often used as someone seeking the favor of a lord, master or deity. For us this would be seeking God’s favor.
While shachah and sabad and last week’s proskeneo all mean to bow down, each has its own unique connotation. In each case these words are used very literally to express worship, and together they depict worshippers bowing down to worship God more than 200 times. There are numerous reasons why we might figuratively bow down before God in worship, but there is no doubt it was normal for Jews and Christians in both the Old and New Testaments to regularly and physically worship God from their knees.
Next week we will look at the idea worshipping God through serving with the Greek word leitourgia.
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