καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἡ γυνὴ καὶ ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ καὶ προσεκύνησεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ ἔλαβεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς καὶ ἐξῆλθεν (2 Kings 4:37, LXX).
Brenton LXX (4 Kings 4:37): "And the woman went in, and fell at his feet, and did obeisance bowing to the ground; and she took her son, and went out."
NETS: "And the woman came in and fell at his feet and did obeisance on the ground, and she took her son and went out."
5 comments:
http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/emagazine/013.html#biblicalword
Whether Hebrew or Greek the uasage is the same. To bow down with face to the ground. In Roman terms it is to kneel and kiss a ring. The English term worship is somewhat romved in concept from the eastern practise.
http://www.laparola.net/greco/parola.php?p=προσκυνέω
At mat 4:9 context demands something more in meaning, nearer to the English term.
Duncan,
In substance, I agree with you. proskunew usually denotes the act of prostrating oneself, bowing, or offering a kiss. The Greek word has much in common with the Hebrew term. But Greek meaning was also shaped by the practices of Alexander. See http://fosterheologicalreflections.blogspot.com/2009/08/lily-ross-taylor-on-proskunhsis.html
A couple of other references, which you might have seen before:
"SHACHAH; to depress, to prostrate oneself (in homage to royalty or to God, Gen. 23:7, 37:7, 9, 10; Lev. 26:1); to bow down (Is 51:23); to crouch; to fall down, sink down; to humbly beseech; to do obeisance; to worship (1 Sam. 15:25; Jer. 7:2). SHACHAH was not used in the general sense of worship, but specifically to bow down, to prostrate oneself as an act of respect before a superior being. Joseph saw sheaves, representing his brothers, bowing down before his sheaf (Gen. 37:5, 9, 10). Ruth bowed before Boaz (Ruth 2:10). David bowed before Saul (1 Sam. 24:8). This honor was shown not only to superiors, such as kings and princes (2 Sam. 9:8) or to equals (Gen. 23:7), but especially in worshiping a deity. Therefore it meant to honor God with prayers (Gen. 22:5; 1 Sam. 1:3), even without prostrating the body (Gen. 47:31; 1 Kings 1:47). However, those who used this mode of salutation often fell upon their knees and touched the ground with their foreheads (Gen. 19:1; 48:12). In short, it was a way of showing submission (Ps 45:11) .
. . See the equivalent, PROSKUNEW" (Complete Word Study: Old Testament [Spiros Zodhiates]).
"this honour [SHACHAH] was not only shown to superiors, such as kings
and princes . . . but also to equals; Gen. 23:7; 37:7, 9, 10 [?]; but
especially-- (2) in worshipping a deity; hence to honour God with
prayers, Gen. 22:5; 1 Sam. 1:3; even without prostration of the body,
Gen. 47:31; 1 Ki 1:47. (3) to do homage, to submit oneself. Ps. 45:12" (Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament).
Hi.
When the subject of worship comes up I like using the example of the modern day court. The judge's authority in the courtroom is acknowledged by using the statement
" Your Honor" and even " Your Worship". No doubt these terms denote ones subjection to a superior authority and both terms are interchangeable.
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