Brief Overview of προσκυνητής (Strong’s G4353: proskunētēs)

Strong’s G4353: A noun derived from proskuneō (to worship), meaning “a worshipper.” Used uniquely in John 4:23 to describe true worshippers who worship the Father in spirit and truth, emphasizing genuine spiritual worship over mere ritual or location-based devotion.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσκυνητής represents one who engages in true worship. Its sole New Testament appearance occurs in Jesus’ pivotal conversation with the Samaritan woman regarding true worship. The word signifies not just someone who performs acts of worship, but one whose entire being is oriented toward genuine spiritual devotion. Early church fathers frequently referenced this term when discussing authentic Christian worship. Today, it continues to define the essential character of those who worship God properly.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσκυνητής, proskunētēs, pros-koo-NAY-tays
• Pronunciation: Emphasis on ‘NAY’, with ‘pros’ quickly spoken, ‘tays’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• προσκυνέω (proskuneō) – root verb meaning “to worship”
• -της (-tēs) – suffix forming agent nouns
  The combination forms a noun describing one who worships.

D – Defining Meanings

• Worshipper
• One who worships
• True worshipper

For compound words:
While derived from the compound verb προσκυνέω, προσκυνητής functions as a simple noun identifying the one who performs the action of worship.

Translation Options:

• “worshipper” – emphasizes the person
• “true worshipper” – captures the contextual emphasis
• “one who worships” – reflects the active nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• λατρευτής (latreutēs, la-trew-TAYS) – servant in worship
  See G3000
• θεράπων (therapōn, the-RA-pohn) – servant, attendant
  See G2324
• λειτουργός (leitourgos, lay-toor-GOS) – minister, servant
  See G3011

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, προσκυνητής shows these features:

• Case: Nominative
• Number: Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: First

Examples of usage:

• Nominative Plural: προσκυνηταί (the worshippers)
• Genitive Plural: προσκυνητῶν (of the worshippers)
• Dative Plural: προσκυνηταῖς (to/for the worshippers)
• Accusative Plural: προσκυνητάς (the worshippers)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its connection to genuine worship. Thayer’s notes its unique usage in John. LSJ provides evidence of its use in religious contexts. Vine’s connects it to spiritual authenticity. Strong’s highlights its derivation from proskuneō. LEH notes its rarity. Moulton and Milligan cite limited papyri evidence.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true [προσκυνηταί] worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσκυνητής powerfully encapsulates what it means to be a genuine worshipper of God. Jesus’ use of this term in John 4 establishes that true worship transcends location and ritual, focusing instead on spirit and truth. The good news is that through Christ, we can become the true worshippers the Father seeks.

D – Did You Know?

1. Appears only once in the New Testament at a crucial moment defining true worship
2. Used in contrast to both Jewish and Samaritan location-based worship
3. Early Christians used this term to distinguish genuine from merely formal worship

Strong’s G4353: A noun derived from proskuneō (to worship), meaning “a worshipper.” Used uniquely in John 4:23 to describe true worshippers who worship the Father in spirit and truth, emphasizing genuine spiritual worship over mere ritual or location-based devotion.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: worshipper, true-worship, spiritual-worship, John’s-Gospel, Samaritan-woman, worship-in-spirit, worship-in-truth, genuine-worship, spiritual-authenticity, divine-worship, worship-character, Jesus-teaching, spiritual-devotion, worship-nature, true-worshipper​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​