λατρεύω
(< λάτρις, a hired servant), [in LXX (always, as λατρεία, of the service of God or of heathen divinities) chiefly for עבד, Ex 3:12, al.; in Da LXX TH (3:12, al.) for פְּלַח;]
1. to work for hire.
2. to serve; in cl., also of divine service, to serve, worship, and so always in NT: c. dat. pers., τ. θεῷ, Mt 4:10, Lk 4:8(LXX), Ac 7:724:1427:23, He 9:14, Re 7:1522:3; of idol worship (cf. Ex 20:5, Ez 20:32), Ac 7:42, Ro 1:25; τ. θεῷ ἐν τ. πνεύματί μου, Ro 1:9; id. ἐν καθαρᾷ συνειδήσει, II Ti 1:3; μετ’ εὐλαβείας κ. δέους, He 12:28; ἐν ὁσιότητι κ. δικαιοσύνῃ, Lk 1:74; (without θεῷ) νηστείαις κ. δεήσεσι, Lk 2:37; πνεύματι θεοῦ, Phl 3:3; absol., Ac 26:7; ὁ λατρεύων, the worshipper, He 9:910:2; of ministerial service, c. dat. rei, He 8:513:10.†
SYN.: λειτουργέω, q.v.