Mis-Translation as Worship?
Hebrews had various traditions of paying homage and respect, which may be confused to mean ‘worship’. Some have been mentioned in the Bible: Bowing frequently to the ground (Genesis;33:3-4); Falling prostrate on the ground (Esther;8:3; Mathew;2:11; Luke;8:41); Embracing and kissing the feet (Mathew;28:9; Luke;7:38,45); Kissing the dust (Psalms;72:9; Isaiah;49:23). Some example are: And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;”(Genesis;19:1); “And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,”(Genesis;18:2); “And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street.”(Judges;19:20).
It is reasoned that Jesus is divine because he accepted the worship of some of his followers. Conversely, a closer look at the texts indicates that this view is based on dubious translation and misinterpretation. The term “worship” is found in the narrative mentioned in ‘King James Version’ and ‘The Revised Standard Version’, about three wise men who came from the East. They were reported to have said, “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him.”(Matthew;2:2). The word translated as worship, form the ancient Greek script is ‘pros-koo-neh’-o’(proskune>w-proskun’ew) probably derivative of Koo’-Ohn (ku>wn-ku’wn);a primary word; a dog, “hound”, literal or figurative) dog (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literal or figurative) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): worship. A careful look at the narrative in perspective reveal that the wise men of east came to see the ‘King of Jews’, not the ‘God of Jews’, the logical meanings of the Greek word ‘proskune>w-proskun’ew’ should be Prostrate Oneself In Homage (do reverence to, adore) as customary done in the East to the kings. The men of East did not say; ‘Where is the baby born to be the God of the Jews? Had they instead of king said ‘God of Jews’, the possibility to WORSHIP him would have had some rationale.
The worship as related to God, is mentioned in an other place in Bible: “We know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he hears. Since the world began it was never heard that any one opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”(John;9:31-33). Here besides calling Jesus as a man from God, the word ‘worshipper of God’ is used which is translation of Greek word ‘qeosebh>v-theh-os-eb-ace’; (derived from qeo>v and se>bomai); meaning: reverent of God, i.e. pious – worshipper of God. Hence proper world for worship-related with God in Greek is ‘qeosebh>v-theh-os-eb-ace’ and not proskune>w,- pros-koo-neh’-o. In continuation of same narrative, the miraculously cured blind man said: “And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”(John;9:38). The word worshipped used here for Jesus, is the translation of Greek word proskune>w,- pros-koo-neh’-o also used in verse Matthew;2:2, explained above, meaning Prostrate Oneself In Homage and not qeosebh>v- ‘theh-os-eb-ace’; used to express reverence and – worship of God.[Translations from; ‘Greek Dictionary of The New Testament’; by James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D.]
The comparison of different translations of verse 9:38 of the Gospel according to John is self-explanatory:
- “And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him” (King John’s Version)
- “He said, “Lord, I believe”; and he worshiped him”(Revised Standard Version)
- “And he said, I believe, Lord: and he did him homage”(Darby Translation: by John Nelson Darby)
- “I believe, Sir,” he said. And he threw himself at his feet.”(By Richard Francis Weymouth)
- “and he said, “I believe, sir,’ and bowed before him.” (Young’s Bible 1863: By Robert Young).
The most accurate and relevant translations is found at serial 5), ‘Young’s Bible Translation New Testament 1863 Version: Translated by Robert Young who translated ‘proskune>w,- pros-koo-neh’-o’ as bowed and not as worship.
In “The American Bible”, the scholarly translators added a footnote that: ‘This verse, omitted in important MSS (manuscripts), may be an addition for a baptismal liturgy. This verse is not found in important ancient manuscripts containing this Gospel. It is probably a later addition made by Church scribes for use in baptismal services’. George M. Lamsa, a renowned authority on the Bible and its original language, elucidate; ‘The Aramaic word seg-eed’, worship, also means to bend or to kneel down[cgid, seg-eed’; (Aramaic) worship, corresponding to Hebrew; cagad, saw-gad’; to prostrate oneself (in homage), fall down].
Easterners in greeting each other generally bowed the head or bent down. …‘He worshipped him’ does not imply that he worshipped Jesus in a manner as God is worshipped. Such an act would have been regarded as blasphemous and a breach of the First Commandment in the eyes of the Jews, and the man might have been stoned. But he knelt before him in token of homage and gratitude.’ Hence it is appropriate to understand the word worship used in the context for Jesus in the translations of New Testament, to mean ‘bowed in homage and gratitude’. Jesus Preached to Worship only One God:
Reference: Trinity, Divinity of Jesus | Faith Forum (wordpress.com)
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