[Greek] προσκυνέω (proskyneō), [Latin] adorare, [Latin] procidere: to worship, to prostrate oneself, to bow as an act of regard or allegiance; 65 scriptural references
Adoration of the Child: painting by Gerard van Honthorst (1620). The infant is so adorable! ☺
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to revere, to salute, to prostrate oneself, to kiss the ground, and to humble oneself. The Greeks adopted this Oriental word for their own adoration of their gods. There is evidence of the sense of prostrating (bowing down) and kissing the ground in thankfulness or adoration. This term can convey both an outward gesture and an inward attitude. This term is frequently found in the tragic plays. The deification of rulers finds itself in the emperor cults of Greek and Roman leaders.
Sophocles’ Philoctetes 656: “Behold the bow and revere it as a god.”
Sophocles’ Philoctetes 533: “We must salute this home, which is no home.”
Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 5.3.18: “The eunuch came out and did him obeisance.”
Sophocles’ Philoctetes 776: “Humble yourself before the jealous gods.”
Aristophanes’ Knights 156: “Then worship the earth and the gods.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 7.136: “Fall down and bow to the king.”
Euripides’ Orestes 1507: “I prostrate myself, lord, and supplicate you in my foreign way.”
Homer’s Odyssey 4.522: “Agamemnon set his foot on his native land and kissed the ground.”
Old Testament: This term means to prostrate, to bend the knee, to kneel, to promise fidelity and submission (to the conqueror) , to serve, to pay homage and to kiss. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me (2Sam.2240). He arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees (1Kgs.8:54). Do homage to the Son, that he not become angry (Psa.2:12). Thus he came to the king and prostrated himself on his face to the ground to the king (2Sam.14:33). He who makes a god a worships it (Isa.44:15). Exalt the Lord, our God; bow down before His footstool (Psa.99:5).
New Testament: This term means to worship, to prostrate oneself, to show respect, to fear, and to mock (false adoration). Worship is shown to the infant Jesus, the older Jesus, God, the Father, idols, and Satan. There exists a continuous theme of Jesus’ healings that are made possible by others’ faith in Him. Satan tempts Jesus to obey him. Stephen points out the Jews’ ancestors worshiping idols. The Samaritans worship what they do not understand. Cornelius, moved by the apparition, bows down in respect for Peter. The demons, acknowledging His authority, fear Him. Herod, falsely intending to honor the infant Jesus, plans to kill Him. The Roman soldiers mockingly show reverence to the crucified Jesus.
Scripture:
“And on entering the house the magi saw the child with Mary His mother. They prostrated themselves and did Him homage.” Mt.2:11
The Old Testament makes reference to the magi as kings. In Psa.72:10, the kings of Sheba an Seba ofter gifts. In Psa.68:30, the kings bring tribute. In Isa.60:6, all from Sheba come bearing gold and frankincense.
“And then a leper approached, did Him homage, and said, ‘Lord, if you wish, You can make me clean.’” Mt.8:2
The leper was healed because he had faith in Jesus. This becomes a recurring theme in scripture.
“Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, the demoniac ran up and prostrated himself before Him, crying out in a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with me? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!’”Mk.5:6
Even the demons fear the authority of Jesus.
Noteworthy Revelation scriptures:
Rev.3:9: Followers of Satan will be singled out/be prostrate at your feet.
Rev. 13:4: They also worshiped the beast (Roman empire).
Rev. 14:9: Anyone who worships the beast will drink the wine of God’s fury
Etymology: The Greek verb proskuneo literally means to kiss (-kuneo-) forward (pro-). The Latin verb procidere means to fall forward (collapse). A procedure is a fact or manner of proceeding. The related Latin verb cadere means to fall. The Latin verb genuflectere means to bend (-flectere) the knee (genu). Adorable mean worthy of worship. The later use of adorable means delightful or charming.
Conclusion:
Adoration, adore, proceed, procedure, kiss, genuflect
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to discover the more nuanced meanings of this term aside from worshiping. It seems that the word ‘adore’ was not commonly used in this time period. Humbling oneself, bowing down, submitting to authority, and kissing the ground are other aspects in expressing thankfulness and obeisance.
In the Old Testament, this term refers to paying homage, bending the knee, and showing fidelity and submission to the conqueror. Psa. 99:5 makes reference to bowing down before His footstool (humble at His feet). This could be likened to a conquering superior placing his foot on the captured enemy’s neck. Perhaps, this could be likened to the woman placing her foot on the serpent in Gen.3:15. Mary ultimately conquers Satan.
In the New Testament, this term is extensively used in conveying worshiping and prostrating oneself. Regarding the magi, the Old Testament makes references to being kings bearing gifts (Psa.72:10, Psa.68:30, and Isa.60:6). It is interesting to note that Matthew’s gospel, written to the Jews, presents kings. On the other hand, Luke’s gospel, written for the downtrodden, presents shepherds. Herod has ulterior motives in wanting to see the infant Jesus.
Jesus’ encounter with Satan tempting Him recalls Israel’s worship of false gods. That Jesus’ healings are made possible because of others’ faith in Him becomes a very important theme throughout the gospels. Yet many showed little faith. Moved by the apparition, Cornelius mistakenly prostrates himself before Peter. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, a servant humbly seeks forgiveness but does not show the same forgiveness to another person. As a result, this servant later received stern recrimination. Likewise, the Father will do the same to us.
The Samaritans worship what they do not understand. (In our current culture, many of us seem to be “bowing down” before our technical gadgets. In fact, there is now a medical condition called “tech (text) neck”, associated with pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Thankfully, I am not that far gone!) It is also interesting to note that the Samaritans, known for helping others, were looked down upon by the Jews as “second-class” citizens. It is important to note that even the demons feared the authority of Jesus. The Roman soldiers mocked (showing fake adoration) to the crucified Christ.
Grapes of wrath: Reaping and treading of the grapes symbolize God’s fury on the ungodly. All enemies will be trodden as easily as grapes are crushed. To tread a person as in a winepress is to destroy or crush that person. The crushed grapes are likened to the image of the spilling of the blood.
On bended knee I humbly submit to you that a child has been born. Merry Christmas!