All word studies
Worship in the Bible
The Bible's main words for worship picture a body bent low. Worship is first posture, then song — the whole person yielded to the worth of God.
Greek & Hebrew words
Greek (New Testament)
Key KJV verses
All verses →John 4:24
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”Read in context
Psalm 95:6
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”Read in context
Romans 12:1
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”Read in context
Worship as bowing
Shachah (H7812) and proskuneo (G4352) both picture prostration. Worship before song is a body bent in reverence.
Worship as service
Abad (H5647) and latreuō (G3000) make worship continuous — life lived as priestly service to God (Romans 12:1).
Frequently asked questions
What is biblical worship?
The whole-life response of bowing before God's worth — in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), expressed in posture, song, obedience, and service (Romans 12:1).
What is the Greek word for worship?
Proskuneo (G4352), meaning to bow down or prostrate oneself before a superior in reverent honor.