ELTBefore Worship נשתחוה
The concept of 'worship' in Hebrew is a riddle that unfolds through the words used to describe it.
The Meaning of Worship The word 'worship' in Hebrew is rooted in the idea of forgetting and focusing on God alone. To understand this, we first examine the Hebrew word *נש* (Nash), which means "forget." The letter *ת* (Tav) added at the end makes *נשת* (Nash-Tav), which signifies the act of "forgetting." Worship, in its essence, involves forgetting everything else—laying aside the distractions, concerns, and the world around you, and focusing completely on God.
Chavvah (Eve) and the Garden The name *חוה* (Chavvah, or Eve) also plays a key role in this metaphor. Eve, in the Garden of Eden, represents the point at which man and woman come together, symbolizing life, creation, and the first relationship outside of God. But before Eve, there was only Adam and God. The Garden, before Eve's creation, was a place of solitude where Adam and God communed in perfect intimacy.
This moment—the solitude between God and man, before the introduction of Eve, represents the essence of worship. Worship is being alone with God—setting aside all distractions, busyness, and the concerns of life, and entering into a space where you can be with Him and Him alone.
The Essence of Worship Thus, the act of worship is not simply about rituals or outward acts. It is about entering into a relationship with God, much like Adam was alone with God in the garden before Eve. Worship requires us to forget everything else, to lay aside distractions, and to be fully present with God. This is where true worship begins—when we, like Adam, find ourselves alone with our Creator in intimate communion.
Conclusion The idea of worship, as illustrated by the Hebrew words for 'forget' and 'Eve', invites us to return to a place of solitude with God. Just as the garden was a place of perfect intimacy between Adam and God, worship is a time set apart for being alone with God, tuning out the world, and focusing solely on Him. It is through this solitude and connection with God that worship reaches its deepest meaning.
Discussion
- Worship as Forgetting Everything Else:
- The interpretation of worship as forgetting everything else and focusing entirely on God is a unique perspective. This suggests that true worship is not about external rituals but about internal engagement with God. It emphasizes the importance of setting aside distractions—even one's own thoughts and concerns—to experience direct, undistracted communion with God. This view of worship highlights a deep relational aspect that transcends formal actions.
- Eve as a Symbol for the Introduction of Worship:
- The connection made between Eve’s creation and the idea of worship as solitude with God is an intriguing metaphor. Before Eve’s creation, Adam was in perfect communion with God, illustrating that worship begins in solitude—a time of intimacy and focus on God alone. This interpretation suggests that worship is rooted in the pre-Eve state of intimacy, where the individual is alone with God, free from external distractions.
- Worship as an Act of Solitude and Intimacy:
- The notion that worship is about solitude with God is a novel approach to understanding worship. It is presented not as an outward display but as an inward act—one that requires being alone with God, where distractions of the world and daily life are forgotten. This interpretation challenges the idea of worship being primarily ritualistic or communal, instead highlighting the importance of personal, intimate connection with the Creator.
- Worship as a Relationship Rather Than Ritual:
- The view of worship as entering into a relationship with God rather than merely performing rituals shifts the focus to personal communion. Worship, according to this metaphor, is about the internal space where a believer is solely focused on God, much like the intimate moments in the Garden of Eden. This view reinforces worship as a living, ongoing interaction with God.
- The Garden as the Prototype for Worship:
- The Garden of Eden is portrayed as the paradigm of true worship, a place where man and God experienced uninterrupted fellowship. This concept draws a connection between worship and paradise, suggesting that the essence of worship is the restoration of that intimate relationship with God. Worship, in this sense, becomes a return to Eden, where one enters into the solitude and intimacy that Adam enjoyed with God before the introduction of Eve.
