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γόνυ

góny

G1119 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Anatomical term indicating the knee, the joint connecting the thigh and lower leg. Also used figuratively to refer to kneeling, as a gesture of submission, reverence, supplication, or worship. The word primarily denotes the physical body part, but extends in certain contexts to acts or postures involving the knee, especially the act of lowering oneself to the ground.

Semantic Range

knee (anatomical), the act of kneeling, posture of kneeling, figuratively to submit or show reverence by kneeling

Root / Etymology

The word γόνυ has an uncertain etymology in Greek, not transparently related to other well-attested Greek roots. It may be of pre-Greek or non-Indo-European origin, as suggested by its unusual form and lack of clear cognates in related languages.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, γόνυ is the standard anatomical term for the knee (e.g., Homer, Herodotus, medical texts). Its use continues into Koine Greek, where it appears in both the Septuagint and New Testament (e.g., Acts 7:60, Eph 3:14), often in the plural (γόνατα) and commonly in connection with acts of kneeling or bowing as cultural expressions of humility, prayer, or honor. In Septuagintal and Hellenistic Jewish texts, 'bending the knee' or 'falling on the knees' occurs as a gesture of respect, entreaty, or prostration before superiors or the divine (comparable to Hebrew ברך, "to kneel"). In the New Testament, the physical and metaphorical connotations are preserved, and the act of kneeling is often associated with prayer. Modern English translations accurately render γόνυ as 'knee,' but sometimes miss the broader connotations attached to the act of kneeling in ancient Mediterranean societies. The term does not carry additional theological meaning beyond its standard cultural uses. Other Greek terms (e.g., γόνυμα, 'offspring,' from a distinct root) are unrelated.

Translation Consistency

primary "knee" 12 occurrences

γόνυ primarily names the anatomical joint and is most often rendered as 'knee' in the data. Choosing the noun 'knee' preserves the primary, natural meaning while still allowing context to convey kneeling/posture (e.g., 'on his knee(s)', 'at the knee of'). 'Kneel' would force a verbal reading that is not the word's default sense and would break consistency where the body part is intended.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; the "knee":--knee(X -l).

Root Family

γόνυ (gony) — knee, kneel, joint

Root γονυ- knee, kneel, joint

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1119-02 γόνατα gonata N ACC N PL knees knees knees 8
G1119-03 γόνυ gonu N ACC N SG knee knee knee 3
G1119-01 γόνασιν gonasin N DAT N PL knees to the knees knees 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1119-02 Mark 15:19 γόνατα gonata N ACC N PL knees knees knees
G1119-01 Luke 5:8 γόνασιν gonasin N DAT N PL knees to the knees knees
G1119-02 Luke 22:41 γόνατα gonata N ACC N PL knees knees knees
G1119-02 Acts 7:60 γόνατα gonata N ACC N PL knees knees knees
G1119-02 Acts 9:40 γόνατα gonata N ACC N PL knees knees knees
G1119-02 Acts 20:36 γόνατα gonata N ACC N PL knees knees knees
G1119-02 Acts 21:5 γόνατα gonata N ACC N PL knees knees knees
G1119-03 Romans 11:4 γόνυ gonu N ACC N SG knee knee knee
G1119-03 Romans 14:11 γόνυ gonu N NOM N SG knee knee knee
G1119-02 Ephesians 3:14 γόνατά gonata N ACC N PL knees knees knees
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