the Third Week of Advent
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Dictionaries
Adoration
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or This word does not occur in the Authorised Version, but there are several attitudes described that form part of the outward acts of adoration which may be well considered under this title, leaving inward adoration to the article on WORSHIP. The homage given may be to God, to the Lord Jesus, to an idol, or by one man to another.
1. Bowing, bowing down. "O come, let us worship and bow down." Psalm 95:6 . It was forbidden to be paid to images, Exodus 20:5 , but was often done. Numbers 25:2 . Joseph's brethren bowed down before him. Genesis 42:6 .
2. Kneeling, bowing the knee. To God. Isaiah 45:23; Ephesians 3:14 . To the Lord Jesus every knee shall bow, even those under the earth. Philippians 2:10 : it was done in mockery, Mark 15:19; and in sincerity, Matthew 17:14 . To Joseph, Genesis 41:43 . 3 .
3. Falling down before. Demanded by Nebuchadnezzar in honour of his image, Daniel 3:5; requested by Satan, at the temptation of our Lord, Matthew 4:9; paid to the Lord when an infant by the wise men, and often in the Gospels, Matthew 2:11; Mark 5:33; Luke 5:8; John 11:32; and in heaven by the elders to God and the Lord Jesus, Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:8,14; Revelation 19:4 .
4. Kissing . In idolatry, 1 Kings 19:18; Hosea 13:2 . To the sun and moon by kissing the hand, Job 31:26,27 . (Tacitus, Hist. iii. 24, says that in Syria they salute the rising sun; and that this was done by kissing the hand.) All the above actions are portrayed on ancient monuments. The word 'worship' in the Authorised Version of the N.T. often signifies 'homage,' such as one man gives to another in authority, or to one he wishes to honour, rather than 'worship' in the sense which that word now conveys.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Morrish, George. Entry for 'Adoration'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/a/adoration.html. 1897.
