Matthew 4:9

Here, "prostrate/worship" is used with a dative, not accusative, meaning "do obesience to."

The verb προσκυνέω ("to prostrate oneself, worship") admits both accusative and dative constructions, with a subtle but meaningful distinction. When followed by the accusative, it typically emphasizes the direct object of the reverential act—such as a deity, image, or sacred object—often implying a physical gesture such as kissing or prostrating directly before the referent (e.g., ὅν πᾶς θεὸς προσκυνεῖ, PGM XII 118).

By contrast, when governing the dative, προσκυνέω expresses directionality or relational reverence—"to prostrate to" or "pay homage to" someone, as in προσκύνει θεᾷ (PGM III 417). This dative usage becomes increasingly common in later Greek, particularly under the influence of Semitic idiom (e.g., Hebrew שׁחה ל־), where the dative reflects the recipient of the devotional act rather than a direct object.

(cf. LMPG, LSG)