προσκυνέω (G4352) — Greek Lexicon

προσκυνέω

proskynéō

G4352 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To physically prostrate oneself, bow low, kneel, or fall down before someone as an act of reverence, respect, or submission; by extension, to express profound honor or homage, including (but not limited to) rendering veneration or 'worship' in religious contexts. The act can be directed toward humans (such as a king, dignitary, or master) or divine beings (deities, angels, or God). In some contexts, the term describes gestures ranging from formal greeting or supplication to religious adoration.

Semantic Range

to prostrate oneself, to bow down, to kneel, to pay homage, to express reverence, to do obeisance, to show submission or respect, (in religious contexts) to venerate or worship

Root / Etymology

Compound from the preposition πρός ('toward') and a derivative of κυνέω or the unattested verb for 'to kiss' or 'to bow.' The relationship to κύων ('dog') is debated and considered unlikely; the etymology is uncertain beyond clear composition with πρός. The core action involves approaching and performing a physical gesture toward the object of honor.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, προσκυνέω was used to describe acts of physical obeisance—such as bowing, kneeling, or prostration—especially as performed before monarchs, superiors, or sacred objects. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint (LXX), προσκυνέω was adopted to render various Hebrew expressions of homage or reverence (notably שָׁחָה, shāchāh), covering both secular gestures (paying respect to a king or elder) and religious veneration (before deities or at altars). In New Testament usage, προσκυνέω frequently describes acts of reverence toward Jesus, God, or other figures, but does not exclusively denote 'worship' in the modern sense—its meaning depends on context, ranging from deep respect to divine adoration. The standard English translation 'worship' narrows the original semantic range; in antiquity, προσκυνέω could be directed toward both human authorities and gods. The physicality of the gesture is often emphasized, and the act could be literal or symbolic. In some sources, the term also contrasted Greek and non-Greek customs of reverence (e.g., Persians prostrating before kings), making its use culturally significant. English translations that render every occurrence as 'worship' may obscure distinctions present in Greek between secular and religious homage.

Translation Consistency

primary "bow" 8 occurrences

’Bow’ is the most natural, versatile English verb that covers the typical physical gestures (bow, bow down, kneel, prostrate) and can also convey acts of homage or reverence when directed toward persons or deity. It matches the majority of common renderings (bow/bowing, prostrated) while avoiding the narrower, more religiously loaded feel of ‘worship’ and the more formal/less common ‘prostrate,’ making it the best single base verb for consistent use across all forms of G4352.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):

"prostrate oneself" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πρός and a probable derivative of κύων (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.

Root Family

προσκυν- (proskynéō) — to prostrate oneself, to bow, to kneel, to do obeisance

Root προσκυν- to prostrate oneself, to bow, to kneel, to do obeisance

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G4353	προσκυνητής	prostrating reverers

Word Forms

23 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4352-02`	προσεκύνησαν	prosekunesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	worshiped	they prostrated themselves	they bowed down	12
`G4352-19`	προσκυνήσουσιν	proskunesousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	worship	they will bow down	they will bow down	7
`G4352-21`	προσκυνοῦντας	proskunountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	who worshiped	those bowing down	those bowing down	5
`G4352-01`	προσεκύνει	prosekunei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	knelt before	was bowing down	was bowing down	4
`G4352-03`	προσεκύνησεν	prosekunesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	worshipped	he prostrated himself	he prostrated himself	4
`G4352-17`	προσκυνήσων	proskuneson	`V FUT ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	to worship	one who will bow down	bow down	4
`G4352-06`	προσκυνεῖν	proskunein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to worship	to prostrate oneself	to bow down	3
`G4352-08`	προσκυνῆσαι	proskunesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to worship	to prostrate oneself	to prostrate oneself	3
`G4352-13`	προσκυνήσεις	proskuneseis	`V FUT ACT IND 2P SG`	you shall worship	you will prostrate yourself	you will bow	2
`G4352-14`	προσκυνήσῃς	proskuneses	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG`	you worship	you should prostrate yourself	you should prostrate yourself	2
`G4352-18`	προσκυνήσωσιν	proskunesosin	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P PL`	worship	they might prostrate themselves	they might prostrate themselves	2
`G4352-04`	προσεκύνουν	prosekunoun	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	worshipped	they were bowing down	they were bowing down	1
`G4352-05`	προσκυνεῖ	proskunei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	worships	bows down	bows down	1
`G4352-07`	προσκυνεῖτε	proskuneite	`V PRS ACT IND 2P PL`	worship	you bow down	bow down	1
`G4352-09`	προσκυνήσαντες	proskunesantes	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	having worshiped	having prostrated themselves	having prostrated themselves	1
`G4352-10`	προσκυνήσατε	proskunesate	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P PL`	worship	Prostrate yourselves	Prostrate yourselves	1
`G4352-11`	προσκυνησάτωσαν	proskunesatosan	`V AOR ACT IMP 3P PL`	let worship	let them prostrate themselves	let them prostrate themselves	1
`G4352-12`	προσκυνήσει	proskunesei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	he will worship	he will prostrate himself	he will prostrate himself	1
`G4352-15`	προσκυνήσετε	proskunesete	`V FUT ACT IND 2P PL`	will you worship	you will bow down	you will bow down	1
`G4352-16`	προσκυνήσω	proskuneso	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG`	and worship	I might prostrate myself	I might prostrate myself	1
`G4352-20`	προσκυνοῦμεν	proskunoumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	worship	we bow down	bow down	1
`G4352-22`	προσκυνοῦντες	proskunountes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	worship	those bowing down	bowing down	1
`G4352-23`	προσκυνοῦσα	proskunousa	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG`	kneeling	bowing down	worshipping	1

Occurrences in Scripture

60 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4352-22`	Revelation 14:11	προσκυνοῦντες	proskunountes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	worship	those bowing down	bowing down
`G4352-19`	Revelation 15:4	προσκυνήσουσιν	proskunesousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	worship	they will bow down	they will bow down
`G4352-21`	Revelation 16:2	προσκυνοῦντας	proskunountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	who worshiped	those bowing down	those bowing down
`G4352-02`	Revelation 19:4	προσεκύνησαν	prosekunesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	worshiped	they prostrated themselves	they bowed down
`G4352-08`	Revelation 19:10	προσκυνῆσαι	proskunesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to worship	to prostrate oneself	to prostrate oneself
`G4352-17`	Revelation 19:10	προσκύνησον	proskuneson	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	worship	one who will bow down	bow down
`G4352-21`	Revelation 19:20	προσκυνοῦντας	proskunountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	who worshiped	those bowing down	those bowing down
`G4352-02`	Revelation 20:4	προσεκύνησαν	prosekunesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	worshipped	they prostrated themselves	they bowed down
`G4352-08`	Revelation 22:8	προσκυνῆσαι	proskunesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to worship	to prostrate oneself	to prostrate oneself
`G4352-17`	Revelation 22:9	προσκύνησον	proskuneson	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	worship	one who will bow down	bow down

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