Strong's Greek: 4352. προσκυνέω (proskuneó) -- To worship, to bow down, to prostrate oneself

◄ 4352. proskuneó ►

Lexical Summary

proskuneó: To worship, to bow down, to prostrate oneself

Original Word: προσκυνέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: proskuneó
Pronunciation: pros-koo-NEH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (pros-koo-neh'-o)
KJV: worship
NASB: worship, worshiped, bowed down before, bow down, bow down before, bowed down, bowing before
Word Origin: [from G4314 (πρός - against) and a probable derivative of G2965 (κύων - dogs) (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand)]

1. to fawn or crouch to
2. to fall face down (prostrate) in adoration
3. a physical act of lowering oneself in humble submission with an attitude of utmost adoration or respect
{literally or figuratively}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

worship.

From pros and a probable derivative of kuon (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore) -- worship.

see GREEK pros

see GREEK kuon

HELPS Word-studies

4352 proskynéō (from 4314 /prós, "towards" and kyneo, "to kiss") – properly, to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior; to worship, ready "to fall down/prostrate oneself to adore on one's knees" (DNTT); to "do obeisance" (BAGD).

["The basic meaning of 4352 (proskynéō), in the opinion of most scholars, is to kiss. . . . On Egyptian reliefs worshipers are represented with outstretched hand throwing a kiss to (pros-) the deity" (DNTT, 2, 875,876).

4352 (proskyneō) has been (metaphorically) described as "the kissing-ground" between believers (the Bride) and Christ (the heavenly Bridegroom). While this is true, 4352 (proskynéō) suggests the willingness to make all necessary physical gestures of obeisance.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from pros and kuneó (to kiss)
Definition
to do reverence to
NASB Translation
bow down (1), bow down before (1), bowed down (1), bowed down before (2), bowing before (1), bowing down (1), prostrated himself before (1), worship (32), worshiped (17), worshipers (1), worshiping (1), worships (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4352: προσκυνέω

προσκυνέω, προσκύνω; imperfect προσεκύνουν; future προσκυνήσω; 1 aorist προσεκύνησα; from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; the Sept. very often for הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה (to prostrate oneself); properly, to kiss the hand to (toward) one, in token of reverence: Herodotus 1, 134; (cf. K. F. Hermann, Gottesdienstl. Alterthümer d. Griech. § 21; especially Hoelemann, Die Biblical Gestalt. d. Anbetung in his 'Bibelstudien' i., 106ff); hence, among the Orientals, especially the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence ("to make a 'salam'"); Latinveneror (Nepos, Conon. 3, 3),adoro (Pliny, h. n. 28, 5, 25; Suetonius, Vitell. 2); hence, in the N. T. by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication. It is used a. of homage shown to men of superior rank: absolutely, Matthew 20:20 (the Jewish high-priests are spoken of in Josephus, b. j. 4, 5, 2 as προσκυνούμενοι); πεσών ἐπί τούς πόδας προσεκύνησεν, Acts 10:25; τίνι (according to the usage of later writings; cf. Winers Grammar, 36, 210 (197); (Buttmann, § 131, 4); Lob. ad Phryn., p. 463), Matthew 2:2, 8; Matthew 8:2; Matthew 9:18; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 15:25; (); (R G); Mark 5:6 (here WH Tr marginal reading have the accusative); ; John 9:38; with πεσών preceding, Matthew 2:11; Matthew 4:9; ἐνώπιον τῶν ποδῶν τίνος, Revelation 3:9; (it may perhaps be mentioned that some would bring in here Hebrews 11:21 προσεκύνησεν ἐπί τό ἄκρον τῆς ῤάβδου αὐτοῦ, explaining it by the (Egyptian) custom of bowing upon the magistrate's staff of office in taking an oath; cf. Chabas, Melanges Egypt. III. i., p. 80, cf. p. 91f; but see below).

b. of homage rendered to God and the ascended Christ, to heavenly beings, and to demons: absolutely (our to worship) (cf. Winer's Grammar, 593 (552)), John 4:20; John 12:20; Acts 8:27; Acts 24:11; Hebrews 11:21 (cf. above); Revelation 11:1; πίπτειν καί προσκυνεῖν, Revelation 5:14; τίνι, John 4:21, 23; Acts 7:43; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 4:10; Revelation 7:11; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:4, 20; Revelation 22:8; Revelation 13:4 G L T Tr WH (twice (the 2nd time WH text only)); G T Tr WH text; Revelation 20:4 Rec.; πεσών ἐπί πρόσωπον προσκυνήσει τῷ Θεῷ, 1 Corinthians 14:25; πίπτειν ἐπί τά πρόσωπα καί προσκυνεῖν τῷ Θεῷ, Revelation 11:16; preceded by πίπτειν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ποδῶν τίνος, Revelation 19:10. in accordance with the usage of the older and better writings with τινα or τί (cf. Matthiae, § 412): Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8; Revelation 9:20; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 14:9, 11; also Revelation 13:4 (Rec. twice; (WH marginal reading once)), 8 (where Rec. dative), 15 R L WH marginal reading; 20:4a (where Rec. dative), 4b (where Relz dative); Luke 24:52 R G L Tr brackets WH reject; (the Sept. also connects the word far more frequent with the dative than with the accusative (cf. Hoelemann as above, p. 116ff)); ἐνώπιον τίνος, Luke 4:7; Revelation 15:4.

Topical Lexicon

Proskyneō (Strong’s 4352)

Overview of New Testament Usage

The verb occurs sixty times, spanning the Gospels, Acts, the Pauline corpus (once), Hebrews, and especially Revelation. It depicts bodily prostration that signifies the heart’s acknowledgment of worth—whether rendered to the living God, to the risen Jesus, or, tragically, to idols and demonic powers. In every context Scripture affirms a single standard: worship belongs to God alone, and any worship Jesus accepts testifies to His full deity.

Worship Rendered to the Incarnate Son

• The infancy narrative introduces Gentile worship when the magi “fell down and worshiped Him” (Matthew 2:11).
• Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus receives worship from the desperate (Matthew 8:2; 9:18; 15:25), the grateful (John 9:38), and the awestruck disciples in the storm-stilled boat: “Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God!’” (Matthew 14:33).
• After the resurrection worship becomes climactic (Matthew 28:9, 17; Luke 24:52), sealed by the Father’s command, “Let all God’s angels worship Him” (Hebrews 1:6). The pattern establishes Christ’s rightful place at the center of Christian devotion.

The Father Sought in Spirit and Truth

John 4 anchors all biblical theology of worship. The Samaritan woman speaks of localized worship on Mount Gerizim while Jews claim Jerusalem (John 4:20). Jesus responds,

“But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth… God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).

The passage lifts worship from ritual geography to a new-covenant reality grounded in the Spirit’s indwelling and the revelation of truth in Christ.

Illicit and Refused Worship

• Satan’s temptation sought to redirect worship: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only’ ” (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8).
• Apostolic integrity echoes the Lord’s stance. Cornelius bows before Peter, but the apostle replies, “Stand up… I am only a man myself” (Acts 10:25-26).
• Twice John attempts to worship the revealing angel and twice is corrected: “Do not do that! … Worship God!” (Revelation 19:10; 22:9). Scripture thus preserves a clear boundary between Creator and creature.

Heavenly Worship Scenes

Revelation pulls back the curtain on cosmic worship.
• Revelation 4:10 pictures twenty-four elders casting crowns before the enthroned Lord.
• In Revelation 5 the Lamb who was slain shares the throne: “The elders fell down and worshiped” (Revelation 5:14).
• Unnumbered multitudes, angels, and redeemed humanity join ceaseless adoration (Revelation 7:11; 11:16; 14:7; 19:4). These scenes provide the Church’s template and hope—worship that is pure, corporate, and eternal.

Idolatrous Worship and Final Judgment

Proskyneō also exposes counterfeit devotion. The beast of Revelation draws global homage (Revelation 13:4, 8, 12, 15); those who worship its image drink “the wine of God’s fury” (Revelation 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). The stark contrast between the beast-worshipers and the Lamb-worshipers underscores worship as the decisive line dividing humanity.

Old Testament Background

Greek translators of the Hebrew Scriptures often used proskyneō for שָׁחָה (shachah), the act of bowing before God or king. The New Testament retains the physical posture yet intensifies the theological focus: the One who appeared to Abraham and received worship in Genesis 18 now appears incarnate in Jesus Christ.

Theological Implications

1. Christology: Jesus’ acceptance of worship validates His equality with the Father.
2. Doctrine of God: Exclusive worship safeguards monotheism (Matthew 4:10).
3. Pneumatology: True worship is Spirit-enabled (John 4:23-24).
4. Eschatology: Eternal destiny is determined by the object of one’s worship (Revelation 14:9-11).
5. Ecclesiology: Corporate gatherings echo heavenly liturgy (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Practical Ministry Application

• Corporate services should prioritize God-centered praise, Scripture reading, prayer, and sacrament as expressions of proskyneō.
• Evangelism calls people to abandon idols “to serve the living and true God” (compare 1 Thessalonians 1:9).
• Discipleship nurtures heart-posture before bodily posture, ensuring external acts flow from sincere devotion.
• Leaders must guard against celebrity culture; like Peter, they remind admirers, “I am only a man.”

Eschatological Hope

History culminates when “all nations will come and worship before You” (Revelation 15:4). The Church presently anticipates that day, praying, living, and proclaiming so that multiplied peoples may join the eternal throng who “fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever” (Revelation 4:10).

Summary

Strong’s 4352 gathers Scripture’s witness that worship is the creature’s highest calling, the Son’s rightful due, and the Father’s eternal delight. To bow before God in Christ now is to preview the joy that will fill the new heaven and new earth forever.

Forms and Transliterations

προσεκυνει προσεκύνει προσεκύνησα προσεκυνησαν προσεκύνησαν προσεκύνησε προσεκυνησεν προσεκύνησεν προσεκυνουν προσεκύνουν προσκεκυνήκασι προσκυνει προσκυνεί προσκυνεῖ προσκυνειν προσκυνείν προσκυνεῖν προσκύνειν προσκυνειτε προσκυνείτε προσκυνεῖτε προσκυνησαι προσκυνήσαι προσκυνήσαί προσκυνῆσαι προσκυνησαντες προσκυνήσαντες προσκυνησατε προσκυνήσατε προσκυνησατωσαν προσκυνησάτωσαν προσκυνησάτωσάν προσκυνήσατωσάν προσκυνησει προσκυνήσει προσκυνησεις προσκυνήσεις προσκυνησετε προσκυνήσετε προσκυνήση προσκυνησης προσκυνήσης προσκυνήσῃς προσκυνήσητε προσκυνησον προσκύνησον προσκυνήσουσι προσκυνήσουσί προσκυνησουσιν προσκυνήσουσιν προσκυνησω προσκυνήσω προσκυνήσωμεν προσκυνησων προσκυνήσων προσκυνησωσι προσκυνήσωσι προσκυνησωσιν προσκυνήσωσιν προσκυνουμεν προσκυνούμεν προσκυνοῦμεν προσκυνουντας προσκυνούντας προσκυνοῦντας προσκυνουντες προσκυνούντες προσκυνοῦντες προσκυνούντος προσκυνουσα προσκυνούσα προσκυνοῦσα προσκυνούσι προσκύνουσι προσκυνούσιν προσκυνώ prosekunei prosekunesan prosekunēsan prosekunesen prosekunēsen prosekunoun prosekynei prosekýnei prosekynesan prosekynēsan prosekýnesan prosekýnēsan prosekynesen prosekynēsen prosekýnesen prosekýnēsen prosekynoun prosekýnoun proskunei proskunein proskuneite proskunesai proskunēsai proskunesantes proskunēsantes proskunesate proskunēsate proskunesatosan proskunēsatōsan proskunesei proskunēsei proskuneseis proskunēseis proskuneses proskunēsēs proskunesete proskunēsete proskuneso proskunēsō proskuneson proskunēson proskunēsōn proskunesosin proskunēsōsin proskunesousin proskunēsousin proskunoumen proskunountas proskunountes proskunousa proskynei proskyneî proskynein proskyneîn proskyneite proskyneîte proskynesai proskynêsai proskynēsai proskynē̂sai proskynesantes proskynēsantes proskynḗsantes proskynesate proskynēsate proskynḗsate proskynesatosan proskynesátosan proskynēsatōsan proskynēsátōsan proskynesei proskynēsei proskynḗsei proskyneseis proskynēseis proskynḗseis proskynḗsēis proskyneses proskynēsēs proskynesete proskynēsete proskynḗsete proskyneso proskynēsō proskynḗso proskynḗsō proskyneson proskynēson proskynēsōn proskynḗson proskynḗsōn proskýneson proskýnēson proskynesosin proskynēsōsin proskynḗsosin proskynḗsōsin proskynesousin proskynēsousin proskynḗsousin proskynoumen proskynoûmen proskynountas proskynoûntas proskynountes proskynoûntes proskynousa proskynoûsa

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Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 2:2 V-ANA
GRK: καὶ ἤλθομεν προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ
NAS: and have come to worship Him.
KJV: and are come to worship him.
INT: and are come to worship him

Matthew 2:8 V-ASA-1S
GRK: κἀγὼ ἐλθὼν προσκυνήσω αὐτῷ
NAS: that I too may come and worship Him.
KJV: that I may come and worship him also.
INT: I also having come might worship him

Matthew 2:11 V-AIA-3P
GRK: καὶ πεσόντες προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ καὶ
NAS: and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then,
KJV: and fell down, and worshipped him: and
INT: and having fallen down worshipped him and

Matthew 4:9 V-ASA-2S
GRK: ἐὰν πεσὼν προσκυνήσῃς μοι
NAS: You, if You fall down and worship me.
KJV: if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
INT: if having fallen down you will worship me

Matthew 4:10 V-FIA-2S
GRK: θεόν σου προσκυνήσεις καὶ αὐτῷ
NAS: For it is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD
KJV: it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord
INT: God of you will you worship and him

Matthew 8:2 V-IIA-3S
GRK: λεπρὸς προσελθὼν προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων
NAS: came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said,
KJV: a leper and worshipped him,
INT: a leper having come worshipped him saying

Matthew 9:18 V-IIA-3S
GRK: εἷς ἐλθὼν προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων
NAS: came and bowed down before Him, and said,
KJV: ruler, and worshipped him,
INT: certain having come knelt down to him saying

Matthew 14:33 V-AIA-3P
GRK: τῷ πλοίῳ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες
NAS: who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying,
KJV: came and worshipped him,
INT: the boat worshipped him saying

Matthew 15:25 V-IIA-3S
GRK: δὲ ἐλθοῦσα προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγουσα
NAS: But she came and [began] to bow down before Him, saying,
KJV: came she and worshipped him,
INT: moreover having come she worshipped him saying

Matthew 18:26 V-IIA-3S
GRK: ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων
NAS: fell [to the ground] and prostrated himself before him, saying,
KJV: fell down, and worshipped him,
INT: the servant fell on his knees to him saying

Matthew 20:20 V-PPA-NFS
GRK: υἱῶν αὐτῆς προσκυνοῦσα καὶ αἰτοῦσά
NAS: to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request
KJV: sons, worshipping [him], and
INT: sons of her kneeling down and asking

Matthew 28:9 V-AIA-3P
GRK: πόδας καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ
NAS: of His feet and worshiped Him.
KJV: by the feet, and worshipped him.
INT: feet and worshipped him

Matthew 28:17 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ἰδόντες αὐτὸν προσεκύνησαν οἱ δὲ
NAS: When they saw Him, they worshiped [Him]; but some
KJV: him, they worshipped him:
INT: having seen him they worshipped some however

Mark 5:6 V-AIA-3S
GRK: ἔδραμεν καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ
NAS: he ran up and bowed down before Him;
KJV: he ran and worshipped him,
INT: he ran and fell on his knees before him

Mark 15:19 V-IIA-3P
GRK: τὰ γόνατα προσεκύνουν αὐτῷ
NAS: on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him.
KJV: bowing [their] knees worshipped him.
INT: the knees knelt down to him

Luke 4:7 V-ASA-2S
GRK: οὖν ἐὰν προσκυνήσῃς ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ
NAS: if You worship before
KJV: thou therefore wilt worship me, all
INT: therefore if you will worship before me

Luke 4:8 V-FIA-2S
GRK: θεόν σου προσκυνήσεις καὶ αὐτῷ
NAS: him, It is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD
KJV: it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord
INT: God of you You will worship and him

Luke 24:52 V-APA-NMP
GRK: καὶ αὐτοὶ προσκυνήσαντες αὐτὸν ὑπέστρεψαν
NAS: And they, after worshiping Him, returned
KJV: And they worshipped him, and returned
INT: And they having worshipped him returned

John 4:20 V-AIA-3P
GRK: ὄρει τούτῳ προσεκύνησαν καὶ ὑμεῖς
NAS: Our fathers worshiped in this
KJV: Our fathers worshipped in this
INT: mountain this worshipped and you

John 4:20 V-PNA
GRK: τόπος ὅπου προσκυνεῖν δεῖ
NAS: where men ought to worship.
KJV: where men ought to worship.
INT: place where to worship it is necessary

John 4:21 V-FIA-2P
GRK: ἐν Ἰεροσολύμοις προσκυνήσετε τῷ πατρί
NAS: in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
KJV: at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
INT: in Jerusalem will you worship the Father

John 4:22 V-PIA-2P
GRK: ὑμεῖς προσκυνεῖτε ὃ οὐκ
NAS: You worship what you do not know;
KJV: Ye worship ye know not
INT: You worship what not

John 4:22 V-PIA-1P
GRK: οἴδατε ἡμεῖς προσκυνοῦμεν ὃ οἴδαμεν
NAS: you do not know; we worship what
KJV: what we worship: for salvation
INT: you know we worship what what we know

John 4:23 V-FIA-3P
GRK: ἀληθινοὶ προσκυνηταὶ προσκυνήσουσιν τῷ πατρὶ
NAS: worshipers will worship the Father
KJV: worshippers shall worship the Father
INT: true worshippers will worship the Father

John 4:23 V-PPA-AMP
GRK: ζητεῖ τοὺς προσκυνοῦντας αὐτόν
NAS: the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
KJV: seeketh such to worship him.
INT: seeks who worship him