CategoryDoctrine / Reverence and Service Term
Modern Equivalentreverence; bow down; serve; honor God.
KJV Word TypeVerb / noun
DefinitionTo bow down, reverence, honor, or serve. In the KJV, worship may involve outward posture, inward reverence, prayer, sacrifice, obedience, or service to God.
Key Verses"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24); "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10)
KJV Usage NoteCan include bowing, reverence, service, prayer, sacrifice, and obedience; context determines the emphasis.
Common MisunderstandingIt does not mean music only; biblical worship includes reverence, service, obedience, and devotion.
EtymologyFrom Old English weorthscipe, meaning worthiness or honor.