Bible Encyclopedia: Adoration

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ADORATION

ad-o-ra'-shun: Though this word never occurs in English Versions, it represents aspects of worship which are very prominent in the Bible.

I. Etymology.

The word is derived from Latin adorare =

(1) "to speak to,"

(2) "to beseech," "entreat,"

(3) "to do homage," "to worship"; from the Latin, os (oris), mouth.

Some have supposed that the root os points to the Roman practice of applying the hand to the mouth, i.e. kissing the hand to (a person or thing), as a token of homage.

II. Meaning.

Adoration is intense admiration culminating in reverence and worship, together with the outward acts and attitudes which accompany such reverence. It thus includes both the subjective sentiments, or feelings of the soul, in the presence of some superior object or person, and the appropriate physical expressions of such sentiments in outward acts of homage or of worship. In its widest sense it includes reverence to beings other than God, especially to monarchs, who in oriental countries were regarded with feelings of awe. But it finds its highest expression in religion. Adoration is perhaps the highest type of worship, involving the reverent and rapt contemplation of the Divine perfections and prerogatives, the acknowledgment of them in words of praise, together with the visible symbols and postures that express the adoring attitude of the creature in the presence of his Creator. It is the expression of the soul's mystical realization of God's presence in His transcendent greatness, holiness and lovingkindness. As a form of prayer, adoration is to be distinguished from other forms, such as petition, thanksgiving, confession and intercession.

III. Outward Postures.

In the Old Testament and New Testament, these are similar to those which prevailed in all oriental countries, as amply illustrated by the monuments of Egypt and Assyria, and by the customs still in use among the nations of the East. The chief attitudes referred to in the Bible are the following:

1. Prostration:

Among the Orientals, especially Persians, prostration (i.e. falling upon the knees, then gradually inclining the body, until the forehead touched the ground) was common as an expression of profound reverence and humility before a superior or a benefactor. It was practiced in the worship of Yahweh (Genesis 17:3 Numbers 16:45 Matthew 26:39, Jesus in Gethsemane; Revelation 1:17), and of idols (2 Kings 5:18 Daniel 3:5, 6), but was by no means confined to religious exercises. It was the formal method of supplicating or doing obeisance to a superior (eg 1 Samuel 25:23; 2 Kings 4:37 Esther 8:3 Mark 5:22 John 11:32).

2. Kneeling:

A substitute for prostration was kneeling, a common attitude in worship, frequently mentioned in Old Testament and New Testament (eg 1 Kings 8:54 Ezra 9:5 Psalm 95:6 Isaiah 45:23 Luke 22:41, Christ in Gethsemane; Acts 7:60 Ephesians 3:14). The same attitude was sometimes adopted in paying homage to a fellow-creature, as in 2 Kings 1:13. "Sitting" as an attitude of prayer (only 2 Samuel 7:18 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:16) was probably a form of kneeling, as in Mahometan worship.

3. Standing:

This was the most usual posture in prayer, like that of modern Jews in public worship. Abraham "stood before Yahweh (Yahweh)" when he interceded for Sodom (Genesis 18:22). Compare 1 Samuel 1:26. The Pharisee in the parable "stood and prayed" (Luke 18:11), and the hypocrites are said to "pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets" (Matthew 6:5 the King James Version).

4. The Hands:

The above postures were accompanied by various attitudes of the hands, which were either lifted up toward heaven (Psalm 63:4 1 Timothy 2:8), or outspread (Exodus 9:29 Ezra 9:5 Isaiah 1:15), or both (1 Kings 8:54).

5. Kiss of Adoration:

The heathen practice of kissing hands to the heavenly bodies as a sign of adoration is referred to in Job 31:27, and of kissing the idol in 1 Kings 19:18 Hosea 13:2. The kiss of homage is mentioned in Psalm 2:12, if the text there be correct. Kissing hands to the object of adoration was customary among the Romans (Pliny xxviii.5). The New Testament word for "worship" (proskuneo) literally means to kiss (the hand) to (one).

See also ATTITUDES.

IV. Objects of Adoration.

The only adequate object of adoration is the Supreme Being. He only who is the sum of all perfections can fully satisfy man's instincts of reverence, and elicit the complete homage of his soul.

1. Fellow-Creatures:

Yet, as already suggested, the crude beginnings of religious adoration are to be found in the respect paid to created beings regarded as possessing superior claims and powers, especially to kings and rulers. As instances we may mention the woman of Tekoa falling on her face to do obeisance to king David (2 Samuel 14:4), and the king's servants bowing down to do reverence to Haman (Esther 3:2). Compare Ruth 2:10 1 Samuel 20:41; 2 Samuel 1:2; 2 Samuel 14:22.

2. Material Objects:

On a higher plane, as involving some recognition of divinity, is the homage paid to august and mysterious objects in Nature, or to phenomena in the physical world which were supposed to have some divine significance. To give reverence to material objects themselves is condemned as idolatry throughout the Old Testament. Such an example is the case with the worship of "the host of heaven" (the heavenly bodies) sometimes practiced by the Hebrews (2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3, 5). So Job protests that he never proved false to God by kissing hands to the sun and moon in token of adoration (Job 31:26-28). We have reference in the Old Testament to acts of homage paid to an idol or an image, such as falling down before it (Isaiah 44:15, 17, 19 Daniel 3:7), or kissing it (1 Kings 19:18 Hosea 13:2). All such practices are condemned in uncompromising terms. But when material things produce a reverential attitude, not to themselves, but to the Deity whose presence they symbolize, then they are regarded as legitimate aids to devotion; eg. fire as a manifestation of the Divine presence is described as causing the spectator to perform acts of reverence (eg. Exodus 3:2, 5 Leviticus 9:24 1 Kings 18:38). In these instances, it was Yahweh Himself that was worshipped, not the fire which revealed Him. The sacred writers are moved to religious adoration by the contemplation of the glories of Nature. To them, "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork." (Compare especially the "nature Psalms" Psalms 8; 19; 29; 104.)

3. Angels:

On a still higher plane is the adoration practiced in the presence of supernatural agents of the Divine will. When an angel of God appeared, men fell instinctively before him in reverence and awe (eg. Genesis 18:2; Genesis 19:1 Numbers 22:31 Judges 13:20 Luke 24:4, 5). This was not to worship the creature instead of the Creator, for the angel was regarded, not as a distract individual having an existence and character of his own, but as a theophany, a self-manifestation of God.

4. The Deity:

The highest form of adoration is that which is directed immediately to God Himself, His kingly attributes and spiritual excellencies being so apprehended by the soul that it is filled with rapture and praise, and is moved to do Him reverence. A classical instance is the vision that initiated Isaiah into the prophetic office, when he was so possessed with the sovereignty and sublimity of God that he was filled with wonder and self-abasement (Isaiah 6:1-5). In the Old Testament, the literature of adoration reaches its high-water mark in the Psalms (compare especially the group Psalms 95-100), where the ineffable majesty, power and holiness of God are set forth in lofty strains. In the New Testament, adoration of the Deity finds its most rapturous expression in Rev, where the vision of God calls forth a chorus of praise addressed to the thrice-holy God (4:8-11; 7:11, 12), with whom is associated the Redeemer-Lamb.

5. Jesus Christ:

How far is Jesus regarded in the New Testament as an object of adoration, seeing that adoration is befitting only to God? During our Lord's lifetime He was often the object of worship (Matthew 2:11; Matthew 8:2; Matthew 9:18; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 15:25; Matthew 20:20; Matthew 28:9, 17 Mark 5:6 John 9:38). Some ambiguity, however, belongs to the Greek word proskunein, for while it is the usual word for "worshipping" God (eg. John 4:24), in some contexts it means no more than paying homage to a person of superior rank by kneeling or prostration, just as the unmerciful servant is said to have `fallen down and worshipped' his master the king (Matthew 18:26), and as Josephus speaks of the Jewish high priests as proskunoumenoi (BJ, IV, v, 2). On the other hand, it certainly implies a consciousness, on the part of those who paid this respect to Jesus, and of Jesus Himself, of a very exceptional superiority in His person, for the same homage was refused by Peter, when offered to him by Cornelius, on the ground that he himself also was a man (Acts 10:25 f), and even by the angel before whom John prostrated himself, on the ground that God alone was to be "worshipped" (Revelation 22:8, 9).

Yet Jesus never repudiated such tokens of respect. But whatever about the "days of His flesh," there is no doubt that after the ascension Christ became to the church the object of adoration as Divine, and the homage paid to Him was indistinguishable in character from that paid to God. This is proved not only by isolated passages, but still more by the whole tone of the Acts and epistles in relation to Him. This adoration reaches its highest expression in Revelation 5:9-14, where the Redeemer-Lamb who shares the throne of God is the subject of an outburst of adoring praise on the part of the angelic hosts. In Revelation 4:8-11 the hymn of adoration is addressed to the Lord God Almighty, the Creator; here it is addressed to the Lamb on the ground of His redeeming work. In Re the adoration of Him "who sitteth on the throne" and that of "the Lamb" flow together into one stream of ecstatic praise (compare Revelation 7:9-11).

D. Miall Edwards

Greek

2129. eulogia -- praise, blessing
... From the same as eulogeo; fine speaking, ie Elegance of language; commendation
("eulogy"), ie (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2129.htm - 7k

5614. hosanna -- save, we pray
... hosanna. Of Hebrew origin (yasha' and na'); oh save!; hosanna (ie Hoshia-na), an
exclamation of adoration -- hosanna. see HEBREW yasha'. see HEBREW na'. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5614.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

8426. todah -- thanksgiving
... Togarmah. From yadah; properly, an extension of the hand, ie (by implication) avowal,
or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers -- confession ...
/hebrew/8426.htm - 6k

1288. barak -- to kneel, bless
... A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration),
and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the ...
/hebrew/1288.htm - 6k

Library

Adoration
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS ADORATION. Sweet is the dew that falls
betimes, And drops upon the leafy limes; Sweet Hermon's ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/wells/bible stories and religious classics/adoration.htm

Whether Adoration is an Act of Latria or Religion?
... OF ADORATION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether adoration is an act of latria or religion?
Objection 1: It would seem that adoration is not an act of latria or religion. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether adoration is an act.htm

Adoration.
... GENERAL PRAISE. 150. " Adoration. 150. 7s. M. Salisbury Coll. Adoration.
1 Holy, holy, holy Lord, Be thy glorious name adored ...
//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/150 adoration.htm

Praise and Adoration
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Praise and Adoration. [945]249 All people that on earth do
dwell [946]250 From all that dwell below the skies [947]251 O God of God! ...
/.../praise and adoration.htm

Of Adoration (Three Articles)
... OF ADORATION (THREE ARTICLES). ... (1) Whether adoration is an act of latria?
(2) Whether adoration denotes an internal or an external act? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of adoration three articles .htm

Heavenly Adoration.
... FAVOURITE WELSH HYMNS. JESUS. XII. HEAVENLY ADORATION. Angylion dont yn gysson
7,6,7,6,7,6,7,6. Angelic throngs unnumbered,. As dawn's bright drops of dew,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/xii heavenly adoration.htm

Whether Adoration Denotes an Action of the Body?
... OF ADORATION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether adoration denotes an action of the body?
Objection 1: It would seem that adoration does not denote an act of the body. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether adoration denotes an action.htm

Whether Adoration Requires a Definite Place?
... OF ADORATION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether adoration requires a definite place? Objection
1: It would seem that adoration does not require a definite place. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether adoration requires a definite.htm

Of the Adoration of Christ (Six Articles)
... OF THE ADORATION OF CHRIST (SIX ARTICLES). ... (1) Whether Christ's Godhead and
humanity are to be adored with one and the same adoration? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the adoration of christ.htm

Music for Forty Hours' Adoration Musical Programme
... MUSIC FOR FORTY HOURS' ADORATION Musical Programme. Musical Programme ... (See Manual
of Forty Hours' Adoration pub. by Ecclesiastical Review, Phila., Pa.). ...
/.../music for forty hours adoration.htm

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Adoration

The acts and postures by which the Hebrews expressed adoration bear a great similarity to those still in use among Oriental nations. To rise up and suddenly prostrate the body was the most simple method; but, generally speaking, the prostration was conducted in a more formal manner, the person falling upon the knee and then gradually inclining the body until the forehead touched the ground. Such prostration was usual in the worship of Jehovah, (Genesis 17:3; Psalms 95:6) it was the formal mode of receiving visitors, (Genesis 18:2) of doing obeisance to one of superior station, (2 Samuel 14:4) and of showing respect to equals. (1 Kings 2:19) It was accompanied by such acts as a kiss, (Exodus 18:7) laying hold of the knees or feet of the person to whom the adoration was paid, (Matthew 28:9) and kissing the ground on which he stood. (Psalms 72:9; Micah 7:17) Similar adoration was paid to idols, (1 Kings 19:18) sometimes, however, the act consisted simply in kissing the hand to the object of reverence, (Job 31:27) and in kissing the statue itself. (Hosea 13:2)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Homage paid to one in high esteem; profound veneration; intense regard and love; fervent devotion.

2. (n.) The act of playing honor to a divine being; the worship paid to God; the act of addressing as a god.

3. (n.) A method of electing a pope by the expression of homage from two thirds of the conclave.

Thesaurus

Adoration
...ADORATION. ...Adoration is intense admiration culminating in reverence and worship,
together with the outward acts and attitudes which accompany such reverence. ...
/a/adoration.htm - 20k

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)
... But when we consider that the king was God's vicegerent upon the earth or over a
certain country, and in some sense Divine, worthy even of adoration, it is not ...
/a/attitudes.htm - 20k

Worship (332 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; religious reverence
and homage; adoration, or acts of reverence, paid to God, or a being viewed ...
/w/worship.htm - 66k

Adore (1 Occurrence)
... The forms of adoration among the Jews were putting off the shoes (Exodus 3:5; Joshua
5:15), and prostration (Genesis 17:3; Psalm 95:6; Isaiah 44:15, 17, 19; 46 ...
/a/adore.htm - 7k

Hymn (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An ode or song of praise or adoration; especially, a religious ode, a sacred
lyric; a song of praise or thanksgiving intended to be used in religious ...
/h/hymn.htm - 11k

Idolatry (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders
on adoration. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. IDOLATRY. ...
/i/idolatry.htm - 21k

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... this were done while the grain and wine and oil were being consumed, it would derive
additional significance, as betokening the gratitude and adoration of the ...
/s/shewbread.htm - 20k

Bowing (35 Occurrences)
... Bowing is also frequently mentioned as an act of adoration to idols (Joshua 23:7;
2 Kings 5:18; Judges 2:19; Isaiah 44:15), and to God (Joshua 5:14; Psalm 22:29 ...
/b/bowing.htm - 19k

Persian (4 Occurrences)
... The procreative powers in Nature, animate and inanimate, seeming to be the source
of animal and vegetable life, received adoration, which ultimately led to ...
/p/persian.htm - 45k

Monthly (11 Occurrences)
... Psalms IX. THE IDEA AND EFFICACY OF SACRIFICES 1. A Gift of Food to the Deity
2. Expression of Adoration and Devotion, etc. 3. Means ...
/m/monthly.htm - 93k

Subtopics

Adoration

Related Terms

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)

Worship (332 Occurrences)

Adore (1 Occurrence)

Hymn (5 Occurrences)

Idolatry (14 Occurrences)

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)

Bowing (35 Occurrences)

Persian (4 Occurrences)

Monthly (11 Occurrences)