Prostration (προσκυνέω)
Prostration (προσκυνέω), the act of lying stretched out on the ground with the face downward, is a profound expression of reverence and compliance. It symbolizes complete dependence and submission to a higher authority, conveying an attitude of deep humility.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus restored a man’s sight on the Sabbath, which caused quite a stir with the ruling religious party. After accusing the man of not being blind, which was refuted by his parents, they again questioned him concerning the healing, especially regarding who performed this act upon him. At that time, the man who was blind did not know who had given him sight; however, even he could see that such a one would be from God. The Pharisees disagreed and cast him out of the synagogue because he was healed on the Sabbath. After hearing what had happened, Jesus found the man and asked him if he believed in the Son of God. Inquiring who the Son of God is, the previously blind man prostrated before Jesus when he became aware He was the one who healed him, John 9:38.
Within our English bibles the word “worship” is predominantly used to translate the word “prostration”; however, “worship” in English does not adequately express the concept of lying stretched out in reverence and compliance because another word in Greek conveys the meaning of giving proper credit for who a person is, which is what worship means. When Paul instructs the saint in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing, he uses a word that better communicates the concept of worship instead of to prostrate. Worship (προσευχή) is derived from the concept of speaking out or uttering out loud a wish (εὔχομαι); […]
