Home › Worship words
Biblical Hebrew and Greek
Hebrew and Greek words for worship in the Bible
This glossary explains 31 Hebrew and Greek words the Bible uses for worship, praise and service: Zamar, Yadah, Halal, Towdah, Shachah, Proskuneo and more — each with the original word, pronunciation, Strong's number, meaning and a key verse.
Zamar זָמַרTo sing and play an instrument for God; to make music and let one's instruments resound.Mizbéa'h מִזְבֵּחַThe altar. From zavach, "to sacrifice": the place where an offering is made to God.Shachah שָׁחָהTo bow down, to bend low to the ground. It is the word of the first "worship" in the Bible.Abad עָבַדTo serve. The same word means both work and worship: to worship is to serve.Latreia λατρείαWorship as service: the service rendered to God.Towdah תּוֹדָהThanksgiving: the sacrifice of praise offered before the answer is seen.Barak בָּרַךְTo bless. Close to berekh, "knee": to bless while kneeling.Mishkan מִשְׁכָּןThe dwelling place, the tabernacle. From shakan, "to dwell": God wants to live among His people.Qadosh קָדוֹשׁHoly, set apart: what belongs entirely to God.Kabod כָּבוֹדGlory. Literally "weight": the presence of God resting heavily on a place.Selah סֶלָהThe pause of the Psalms: to stop, lift up and meditate.Doxa δόξαGlory, radiance. The Greek word that translates kabod.Olah עֹלָהThe burnt offering, "that which goes up": an offering wholly consumed, nothing held back.Qorban קָרְבָּןThe offering. From qarav, "to draw near": what is offered in order to draw near to God.Kohen כֹּהֵןThe priest: the one who stands before God on behalf of the people.Kaphar כָּפַרTo make atonement, to cover. Hence Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.Yadah יָדָהTo praise, give thanks, confess. Close to yad, "hand": praise with lifted hands.Halal הָלַלTo praise with brilliance, to boast in God. It is the root of Hallelujah.Nagan נָגַןTo play a stringed instrument.Shir שִׁירTo sing; the song, the new song.Tehillah תְּהִלָּהPraise, a song of praise. The Hebrew name of the book of Psalms is Tehillim.Shabach שָׁבַחTo praise, to celebrate aloud.Hosanna ὡσαννά"Save, we pray!": a cry for help that became a shout of praise.Zamar (to prune) זָמַרTo prune, to trim the vine: the second meaning of Zamar.Amen אָמֵןSo be it. From aman, "to be firm, trustworthy".Proskuneô προσκυνέωTo bow down in worship. The word Jesus uses with the Samaritan woman.Pneuma πνεῦμαSpirit, breath: worshipping "in spirit", by the Spirit of God.Alêtheia ἀλήθειαTruth, reality: worshipping God as He truly is.Shama שָׁמַעTo listen, to hear and obey.Psallô ψάλλωTo sing with an instrument. The origin of the word "psalm".Eucharisteô εὐχαριστέωTo give thanks. The origin of the word "Eucharist".