The Old Testament was written in ancient Hebrew, a language that holds richness and greater meaning for individual words than the English language. One word in English could be chosen to translate multiple words in Hebrew with similar yet distinct meanings. One of those words is “worship.”
The words for worship in Hebrew mean far more than singing songs on Sunday morning (though they may involve music). They represent deep praise for and reverence of God, which is critical for world evangelization. John Piper once said, “God is passionately committed to the fame of his name and that he be worshipped by all the peoples of the world, and this is not egomania, it is love. … Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”
As believers who seek to make the name of Jesus known to the ends of the Earth, we should know the meaning of worship in every sense of the word. Here are five words for worship in Hebrew.
Shachah
In 1 Chronicles 16, David uses the word shachah, which English Bible translators have translated as “worship.” However, this word means much more in Hebrew.
In very basic form, shachah means “to bow down.” Expanding further on the word, it carries a richness of other connotations like the action of prostration on the ground, paying homage, and humbly beseeching someone else.
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” –1 Chronicles 16:29
Shachah is also used to describe someone falling on their face. When angels appeared in the Bible, they almost always caused some to shachah in fear and reverence.
Barak
A second Hebrew word for worship is barak. This word is lessened in severity from shachah, but still carries the connotation of kneeling in reverence and literally bending at the waist as a sign of submission. Barak is used in many ways in the Old Testament, and it can also mean “to bless in adoration.”
For example, when Isaac granted his blessing to Jacob, he was displaying how to barak, or place special authority and respect on someone else. This is how David spoke to the Lord when he sang, “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name (Psalm 103:1).”
Todah
Worship is also described in the Old Testament as todah, which is taken from another Hebrew word, yadah. Todah literally means “thanksgiving.” It is also used to describe a thank offering or an act of adoration. The other meanings of this word really build out the fullness of the ancient Hebrew language.
“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” –Psalm 69:30
Zamar
Zamar is another word for worship that means “to make music in praise of god.”
It involves touching the strings of a musical instrument and usually involves voice accompaniment through singing. This is the word that we often use in our modern praise and worship, but we also think of worship as only zamar and forget how wide and vast the topic or worship truly is.
David demonstrated zamar often through his lyre, but he did not stop there. He said, “I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you … (Psalm 144:9).”
Halal
A final Hebrew word for worship is halal. Does it sound familiar? It is the root of hallelujah. It means “to give foolish glory.” This word is particularly wide in meaning and can be interpreted differently.
In some places, it can mean “to shine” or “to celebrate.” In other places in the Bible, translators have made it simply “worthy of praise.” David made foolish praise to the Lord when he danced before the parade of the Ark of the Covenant. It means making more of God no matter how it makes you look in turn.
Worship is central to the Christian life and to missions. Don’t limit it to one activity one day of the week.
Are you ready to shachah before God regularly? Will you barak God, giving Him the respect He deserves? Will you offer todah to God today? Will you sing and zamar to God every day? Are you willing to halal God with reckless abandon?
East-West Devotionals
Dive deeper into a collection of encouraging stories and devotionals by East-West Founder John Maisel and other authors that will spur you on in gratitude, worship, and obedience.
