Listed below are several Greek words related to praise and worship. Scripture references are given for each word with the Greek word in bold. The New King James Version is used unless otherwise noted. Most of the Greek definitions have been compiled from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
We have taken the 8 most prominent words and listed them first.
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Agalliao-jump for joy, exult, be exceedingly glad, with exceeding joy, rejoice (greatly)
Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight.
Acts 16:34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready.
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Kampto-to bend
Romans 14:11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”
Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:10 . . . that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.
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Humneo-to hymn, religious ode, to celebrate God in song, sing a hymn, praise (unto)
Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Acts 16:25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
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Humnos-to celebrate, one of the psalms, hymn
Ephesians 5:19 . . . speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
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Oide-a chant or ode (the general term for any words sung), song
Ephesians 5:19 . . . speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”
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Proskuneo-to kiss like a dog licking the master’s hand, to fawn or crouch, to prostate oneself in homage, to reverence, to adore, worship
Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held him by the feet and worshiped him.
John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Revelation 5:14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped him who lives forever and ever.
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Psallo-to rub or touch the service, to twitch or twang, to play on a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes), make melody, sing, psalms
1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Ephesians 5:19 . . . speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
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Psalmos-a set piece of music, a sacred ode accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument
1 Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
Ephesians 5:19 . . . speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
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Ado-to sing
Ephesians 5:19 . . . speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Revelation 15:3 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the saints!”
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Aineo-to praise
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying.
Luke 24:53 . . . and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
Acts 3:8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God.
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Ainesis-the act of praising, to thank
Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.
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Ainos-a story, praise
Luke 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
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Allelouia-praise ye Jehovah, an adoring exclamation
Revelation 19:1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!”
Revelation 19:4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying,”Amen! Alleluia!”
Revelation 19:6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!”
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Arete-manliness, excellence, praise, virtue
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
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Chairo-to be cheerful, happy or well off, God speed, hail, joy, rejoice
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
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Choros-a ring, round dance, choir, dancing
Luke 15:25 Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing
Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
Note: Prochorus, one of appointed deacons, means leader of the dance.
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Doxa-glory, dignity, honor, praise, worship
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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Doxazo-to render or esteem, glorious, honor, magnify, full of glory
Luke 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before you, For your judgments have been manifested.
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Enopion-in the face of, before, in the presence (sight) of
Luke 4:7 Therefore, if you will worship before me, all will be yours.
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Epaineo-to applaud, commend, laud, praise
Romans 15:11 11 And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud him, all you peoples!”
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Epainos-laudation, a commendable thing, praise
Ephesians 1:6 . . . to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:12 . . . that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:14 . . . who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.
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Ethelothreskeia-voluntary, arbitrary and unwarranted piety, sanctimony, will worship
Colossians 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.
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Eucharistia-gratitude, grateful language (to God as an act of worship) thankfulness, giving of thanks
Ephesians 5:4 . . . neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Revelation 4:9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever.
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Eucharisteo-to be grateful, to express gratitude, to say grace at a meal
Ephesians 5:20 . . . giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Revelation 11:17 . . . saying: “We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was and who is to come, because you have taken your great power and reigned.”
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Euloged-to speak well of, to bless, thank, invoke benediction on, bless, praise
Matthew 21:9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’Hosanna in the highest!”
Luke 1:64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
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Eulogetos-adorable, blessed
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
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Eusebeo-to be pious toward God, to worship, to respect, show piety, support (toward parents)
Acts 17:23 . . . for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the one whom you worship without knowing, him I proclaim to you.
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Hallomai-to jump, to gush, leap, spring up
Acts 3:8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God.
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Homologeo-to assent, covenant, acknowledge, confession is made, give thanks, promise
Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.
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Hosanna-oh save, an exclamation of adoration
Matthew 21:9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’Hosanna in the highest!”
Mark 11:10 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord!Hosanna in the highest!
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Kauchema-a boast, to glory, glorifying, rejoice
Hebrews 3:6 . . . but Christ as a Son over his own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
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Latreuo-to minister, render religious homage, serve, to do service, worshiper
Acts 24:11 . . . because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
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Megaluno-to make or declare great, increase or extol, enlarge, magnify, show great
Luke 1:46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord.”
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
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Mousikos-musical (as a noun), a minstrel, musician
Revelation 18:22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore.
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Proskunetes-an adorer, a worshiper
John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship him.
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Skirtao-to jump, sympathetically move, leap for joy
Luke 6:23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.
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Sebasma-something adored, an object of worship (god, altar), devotion, that is worshiped
2 Thessalonians 2:4 . . . who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
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Sebazomai-to venerate, adore, worship
Romans 1:25 . . . who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
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Sebomai-to revere, adore, devout, religious, worship
Acts 18:7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
Acts 18:13 . . . saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
Acts 16:14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
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Sugchairo-to sympathize in gladness, congratulate, rejoice
Philippians 2:17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
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Sumphonia-unison of sound (symphony), a concert of instruments (harmonious note) music
Luke 15:25 Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
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Theosebes-reverent toward God, worshiper of God
John 9:31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, he hears him.
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Therapeuo-to wait upon menially, to adore, to relieve of disease, cure, heal, worship
Acts 17:25 Nor is he worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, since he gives to all life, breath, and all things.
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Threskeia-ceremonial observance, religion, worshiping
Colossians 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.
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Time-a value, money paid, valuables, esteem, honor, precious
Revelation 4:9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever.
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