how to say “to worship” in Hebrew

English is made up of two primary linguistic influences: Germanic and French/Latin roots. In each of the examples below, the first word is the simple, Germanic one, while the second word is a more polished version, drawing upon the Latin root.

There’s to give, and then there’s to donate.


There’s to get, and then there’s to receive.


There’s to fall, and there’s to tumble.

Modern Hebrew sometimes does the same thing with its sister language, Aramaic.


Those of you who are familiar with Biblical and Rabbinic law terms almost certainly know the general term for to worship (a deity) – לַעֲבוֹד (lah-ah-VOHD). This verb is followed by an אֶת (et), as in הוּא עָבַד אֶת הַפֶּסֶל (hoo ah-VAHD et hah-PEH-sel) – he worshiped the statue. לעבוד also means simply to work, which is its primary meaning in Modern Hebrew.

In today’s world, to worship often doesn’t refer to an act of bowing down in the literal sense. Rather, one might worship an idea. Modern Hebrew borrows from the Aramaic term for to bow down – לִסְגּוֹד (lees-GOHD) to communicate this concept; for example, הֵם סוֹגְדִּים לַחוֹמְרִיוּת (hem sohg-DEEM lah-khohm-ree-YOOT) – they bow down to materialism. Worshiping is thus סְגִידָה (seh-ghee-DAH). Note that לסגוד is followed by ל (leh), not אֶת.


Both לעבוד and לסגוד are active-simple verbs.