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γονυπετέω

gonypetéō

G1120 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To bend or fall on one's knees, to kneel—particularly as an act of supplication, reverence, or entreaty. In biblical contexts, typically describes a physical gesture of humility, worship, prayer, or honor directed toward another person or deity. The primary meaning is the bodily action of coming to one's knees, and it can carry connotations of pleading, veneration, or submission, depending on context.

Semantic Range

to fall on one's knees, kneel down as a gesture of supplication, show reverence by kneeling, bow down in prayer or entreaty, bend the knee in worship, kneel before a superior

Root / Etymology

Compound formed from γόνυ ('knee') and a verbal form related to κείμαι/πίπτω ('to lie,' 'to fall'). Thus, 'to fall/bend at the knee.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

γονυπετέω is attested in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, with its primary usage referring to the act of kneeling as a physical token of appeal, honor, or worship, often before a person of authority or the divine. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, it frequently describes an attitude of humility or intense supplication in prayer (e.g., Matthew 17:14; Mark 1:40; Acts 9:40). In Greek literary sources outside the biblical corpus, kneeling could signify deep respect, entreaty, or desperation, but is less common in classical texts due to cultural connotations regarding posture. The English 'bow the knee' or 'kneel down' captures the physical sense but may lose nuance regarding intensity of emotion or social dynamics, which range from honorific greeting to desperate pleading. Not to be confused with προσκυνέω ('to prostrate oneself,' often used for worship) or ἐντυγχάνω ('to petition'), although related in contexts of supplication.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of γόνυ and the alternate of πίπτω; to fall on the knee:--bow the knee, kneel down.

Root Family

γονυπετ- (gonypetéō) — to kneel, to bend the knee, to fall at the knees

Root γονυπετ- to kneel, to bend the knee, to fall at the knees

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1120-03 γονυπετῶν gonupeton V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG kneeling kneeling kneeling 2
G1120-01 γονυπετήσαντες gonupetesantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL kneeling down having knelt down having knelt down 1
G1120-02 γονυπετήσας gonupetesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG kneeled having knelt having knelt 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1120-03 Matthew 17:14 γονυπετῶν gonupeton V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG kneeling down kneeling kneeling
G1120-01 Matthew 27:29 γονυπετήσαντες gonupetesantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL kneeling down having knelt down having knelt down
G1120-03 Mark 1:40 γονυπετῶν gonupeton V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG kneeling kneeling kneeling
G1120-02 Mark 10:17 γονυπετήσας gonupetesas V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG kneeled having knelt having knelt
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