Was Jesus worshiped like God in the bible? Why is the word "proskyneo" rendered "worship" in many bibles?

Question

When the bible reffers to a king getting respect from someone (bowing down, or kissing the ring) it uses the word proskyneo (e.g. Matthew 18:26), this same word is used for when the wise men met Jesus (they viewed him as a king and the promissed Messiah). But most translations render that word "worship". If that word proskyneo is rendered as worship (as to God) then that means it's ok for people and angels to be worshipped in the bible.

http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=4352

"Proskyneo" Greek Definition (Greek Lexicon):

To kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence

in the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank to

the Jewish high priests
to God
to Christ
to heavenly beings
to demons

If "Proscuneo" is always to be translated as "worship" (the kind only God should get), then:

the Queen is worshiped as God
the pope is worshiped as God
eastern people worship each other like God

etc etc etc

Answer 1

Proskyneo is suppose to be translated to "obeisance" when referring to Jesus because Jesus told us that only the Father must be worshiped. Now if Jesus said this and scholars translated "proskyneo" in connection with Jesus, then it would make the Bible's message inconsistent.

Philippians 2:9-11
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

This scripture states that every knee should bow, and this was the case after Jesus was exalted to a higher position. So prior to Jesus being exalted, was he suppose to be bowed to by all from the Heavens and all those on Earth? No, not at all.

As you can see, the word worship should not be applied to Jesus Christ, but to the Father only.

Answer 2

While some translators use the word "worship" in the majority of cases where proskyneo describes persons' actions toward Jesus, the evidence does not warrant ones reading too much into this rendering. Rather, the circumstances that evoked the obeisance correspond very closely with those producing obeisance to the earlier prophets and kings. (Compare Matthew 8:2; 9:18; 15:25; 20:20 with 1 Samuel 25:23, 24; 2 Samuel 14:4-7; 1 Kings 1:16; 2 Kings 4:36, 37.)

Take it in context, and the meaning should be clear. Most of the time the word fits, unless you are trying to read something more into 'worship' than is implied.

Answer 3

Yes, and because (if you will check) proskyneo refers to the worship of God, as well as of Jesus. If you disallow it's meaning for one, as the NWT does for Jesus, then you must do it for both.

proskuneō

Total KJV Occurrences: 60

worship, 35
Mat_2:2, Mat_4:8-10 (3), Luk_4:7-8 (2), Joh_4:20-24 (8), Joh_12:20, Act_7:43, Act_8:27, Act_24:11, 1Co_14:25, Heb_1:6, Rev_4:9-10 (2), Rev_9:20, Rev_11:1, Rev_13:8, Rev_13:12, Rev_13:15, Rev_14:7, Rev_14:9, Rev_14:11, Rev_15:4, Rev_19:10 (2), Rev_22:8-9 (2)

worshipped, 24
Mat_2:11, Mat_8:2, Mat_9:18, Mat_14:33, Mat_18:25-26 (2), Mat_28:9, Mat_28:17, Mar_5:6, Mar_15:19, Luk_24:52, Joh_4:20, Joh_9:38, Act_10:25, Heb_11:21, Rev_5:14, Rev_7:11, Rev_11:16, Rev_13:4 (2), Rev_16:2, Rev_19:4, Rev_19:20, Rev_20:4

worshipping, 1
Mat_20:20

That Jesus is God, possessing the same uncreated Divine nature as the Father but under Him, is well attested to by the Holy Spirit, who not only explicitly called Jesus God but attributes to Him Scriptures, and unique attributes, titles and glory that only belong to God (see first link below). If you are a (so called) Jehovah's Witness you are not allowed by your organization to read such proofs, so this will have to be for those whose can:

http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/DEITYofCHRIST.html
http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/TheBIBLEandSoCalledJEHOVAHS-WITNESSES.html

(Acts 3:19) "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

(John 20:26-29) "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. {27} Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. {28} And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. {29} Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

Answer 4

Because of its translation by that particular author. None of the books of the Bible were originally written in English. Jesus was respected by many, but not worshiped when He was alive. For the first hundred years after his death, people followed his teachings, they didn't worship him until later. Remember that the people were still Jewish and worshiped the God of the Old Testament. Judaism eventually split, and the new branch first followed and then worshiped Jesus.

Answer 5

Perhaps the most famous Biblical Hebrew scholar of all, Gesenius, tells us in Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament, p. 813, (#7812), ‘Shachah’:

“WORSHIP:

(1) to prostrate oneself before ANYONE out of HONOR .... Those who used this mode of SALUTATION fell on their knees and touched the ground with the forehead ..., and this honor was not only shown to superiors, such as kings and princes, 2 Sam. 9:8; but also to equals; Gen. 23:7.”

The act described by proskuneo (or shachah) was of bowing or kneeling, and it generally indicated an act of respect and a display of one’s willingness to submit to or serve another person who occupied a superior position, regardless of his nature (somewhat similar to a salute in the military today). It was done, of course, in its very HIGHEST sense to God alone, but it was also done, in a lower sense of the same word, to kings, angels, prophets, etc. -RDB

Answer 6

In my opinion it is a moot point because Jesus said in the model prayer that we should pray to his Father. People can worship who they want, but the Father Jehovah is the hearer of prayers and the big boss..

Answer 7

Yes Jesus was worshipped like God in the Bible, not only on earth but also in Heaven.

Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship (proskunéō) him."

proskunéō - from prós (G4314), to, and kunéō (n.f.), to kiss, adore. To worship, do obeisance, show respect, fall or prostrate before.

Revelation 4:9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship (proskunéō) him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."


Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 14 And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped (proskunéō).

Answer 8

John 4:23, 24

says it all....

Jesus was glorified as if he was God, but shouldn't be confused as worship...

Answer 9

Yes Jesus was worshipped in the Bible many times.

You do sound like a JW.

Pastor Art

Answer 10

Proscuneo (Greek προσκυνέω) is translated "worship" because that's the correct translation. You must be a JW.