why NWT, every time the Greek word "proskuneo" is used in reference to God, it is translated as "worship

Question

In the NWT, every time the Greek word "proskuneo" is used in reference to God, it is translated as "worship" (Rev 5:14, 7:11, 11:16, 19:4, Jn 4:20, etc.). Every time "proskuneo" is used in reference to Jesus, it is translated as "obeisance" (Mt 14:33, 28:9, 28:17, Lk 24:52, Heb 1:6, etc.), even though it is the same word in the Greek (see Gr-Engl Interlinear). Especially compare the Greek word "prosekunhsan" used with reference to God in Rev 5:14, 7:11, 11:16, and 19:4 and used with reference to Christ in Mt 14:33, 28:9, and 28:17. What is the reason for this inconsistency? If the NWT was consistent in translating "proskuneo" as "worship", how would the verses above referring to Christ read?

Answer 1

The word 'proskyno' [upsilon is 'y' in English] means, generically, 'worship.'

Like many words there may be nuances of meaning that translators sometimes choose, but, that are still close to the meaning. 'Bowing down to' and 'worship' etc. all can convey the same sense of what is being expressed. There are no real inconsistencies here.

Your example ' prosekushan' is a different verb form.

Answer 2

This is a fairly simple question to answer. The word in question can be translated either worship or obeisance. Many words have more than one meaning, or different shades of meaning. That is why there are so many different translations of the Bible, because there is no ONE right way to translate from another language.

In this case, the translators were Jehovah's Witnesses who do not feel that Jesus should be worshiped; therefore, they translated the word in the way that made sense to them. Since they don't believe that anyone should worship Jesus, these men no doubt felt that obeisance was a better choice than worship. Other translators who do believe that Jesus should be worshiped, would no doubt translate it as worship.

Of course, some may wonder why the NWT translators would not worship Jesus, when their own translation says he is "a god". Certainly they don't consider him a false god, so why would he not be worthy of worship? Should we deny worship to a true God?

Although the WT sometimes criticizes other translators for not being "consistent", the truth is that some words should NOT always be translated the same because they don't always have the same meaning or shade of meaning. Bruce Metzger, a respected authority on Bible Translation, makes the point that it isn't possible for any translator to be completely free of bias. They bring their own opinions and beliefs with them, and those opinions must of necessity influence the words they choose. That's just the way it is. Translators are all human.

So since the NWT was translated by Jehovah's Witnesses, obviously it is a Bible that has been translated in a way that harmonizes with their beliefs whenever they must make a judgment between two or more words. The word proskuneo is a perfect example of this. This seems to be one of the major objections that people have to the Witnesses. Many criticize the Catholic Bible for the same reason. Most Protestant Bibles are more 'generic', since each denomination doesn't necessarily have their "own" translation.

Answer 3

Greek Word Proskuneo

Answer 4

Greek is a touchy language--much of its translation relies on context. That said, there are many translations of the Bible that are more accurate than others; however, Greek doesn't translate easily. Many Greek words have two, three, or even more possible English translations, and it's entirely in the hands of the translator as to which one they choose. Does this mean there can be inaccuracies in the translations as to the intended meaning of the Greek? Loads of them. The translator can make it read however they'd like to in many cases.

Answer 5

The Greek word pro·sky·ne′o, is found in the Bible around 60 times. According to Unger’s Bible Dictionary, it literally means to ‘kiss the hand of someone in token of reverence or to do homage.’ An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, says that this word “denotes an act of reverence, whether paid to man . . . or to God.” In Bible times pro·sky·ne′o often included literally bowing down before someone of high stature. So, pros·ky·ne′o is properly rendered “do obeisance” at times, because often in the Greek Septuagint Version of the Bible the action of this verb is directed to men; for example, where the patriarch Abraham bowed down (pros·ky·ne′o) to the pagan natives of Canaanland, the Hittites, the sons of Heth. (Gen. 23:7, 12) Or, as when the patriarch Jacob and his wives and his children all bowed down repeatedly (pros·ky·ne′o) to his twin-brother Esau, whom God said He hated. (Gen. 33:3, 6, 7)

Clearly, the word pro·sky·ne′o, rendered “worship” in some Bible translations, is not reserved exclusively for the type of adoration due God. It can also refer to the respect and honor shown to another person. In order to avoid any misunderstanding, some Bible translations render the word pro·sky·ne′o as “pay him homage” (New Jerusalem Bible), “honour him” (The Complete Bible in Modern English), “bow down before him” (Twentieth Century New Testament), or “do obeisance to him” (New World Translation).

I hope this helps in your understanding of why pro·sky·ne′o is translated the way it is in the NWT because Jesus certainly occupies a pivotal role in true worship, one worthy of honor and respect. He is the only way through which we are able to approach God. Jesus is worthy of our honor, respect, and obedience.

Answer 6

Protestants don't like to admit it -- but the fact is that the translators of the Bible had an agenda. Even if the original work WERE the inspired word of God, the KJV is not.

Answer 7

ya got me on that one...sorry.