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This word does not occur in the Authorised Version, but there are several attitudes described that form part of the outward acts of adoration which may be well considered under this title, leaving inward adoration to the article on WORSHIP. The homage given may be to God, to the Lord Jesus, to an idol, or by one man to another.
1. Bowing, bowing down. "O come, let us worship and bow down." Ps. 95: 6. It was forbidden to be paid to images, Ex. 20: 5, but was often done. Num. 25: 2. Joseph's brethren bowed down before him. Gen. 42: 6.
2 . Kneeling, bowing the knee. To God. Isa. 45: 23; Eph. 3: 14. To the Lord Jesus every knee shall bow, even those under the earth. Phil. 2: 10: it was done in mockery, Mark. 15: 19; and in sincerity, Matt. 17: 14. To Joseph, Gen. 41: 43. 3.
3. Falling down before. Demanded by Nebuchadnezzar in honour of his image, Dan. 3: 5; requested by Satan, at the temptation of our Lord, Matt. 4: 9; paid to the Lord when an infant by the wise men, and often in the Gospels, Matt. 2: 11; Mark 5: 33; Luke 5: 8; John 11: 32; and in heaven by the elders to God and the Lord Jesus, Rev. 4: 10; Rev. 5: 8, 14; Rev. 19: 4.
4. Kissing. In idolatry, 1 Kings 19: 18; Hosea 13: 2. To the sun and moon by kissing the hand, Job 31: 26, 27. (Tacitus, Hist. iii. 24, says that in Syria they salute the rising sun; and that this was done by kissing the hand.) All the above actions are portrayed on ancient monuments. The word 'worship' in the Authorised Version of the
N.T. often signifies 'homage,' such as one man gives to another in authority, or to one he wishes to honour, rather than 'worship' in the sense which that word now conveys.