κάμπτω (G2578) — Greek Lexicon

κάμπτω

kámptō

G2578 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To bend; to cause something to become curved or inclined from a straight position. In various contexts, signifies physically bending (e.g., a body or limb), as well as the metaphorical action of bowing or submitting, particularly in reverence, worship, or subjection. In literary and religious contexts, especially used of bowing the knee as an act of homage or obeisance.

Semantic Range

to bend, to become bent, to bend the knee, to bow (the body in worship or submission), to incline or yield, to submit

Root / Etymology

A primary Greek verb, related to the root κάμπ- (kamp-), meaning 'to bend.' No clear connection with a non-Greek or borrowed term; considered inherent to Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in classical Greek (e.g., Homer, Herodotus) with the primary meaning of 'to bend,' either transitive (to bend something) or intransitive (to become bent). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, κάμπτω retains its physical sense but is commonly extended to rituals of bowing or prostration, especially in LXX and NT contexts, e.g., 'to bow the knee' as an expression of submission or worship (Romans 11:4, Ephesians 3:14). In Septuagint and New Testament, often describes an act of respect, reverence, or subjugation, consistent with both Greco-Roman and Israelite/Judean customs of bowing before authority figures or deities. English translations often render contexts of ritual bowing simply as 'bow,' which reflects but does not fully explicate the physical and cultural connotations. Not to be confused with related verbs for 'falling down' (πιπτω or προσκυνέω), which may imply different postures or religious nuances.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a primary verb; to bend:--bow.

Root Family

κάμπτω (kamptō) — to bend, to curve, to incline

Root καμπ- to bend, to curve, to incline

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2578-04`	κάμπτω	kampto	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I bow	I bend	I bend	1
`G2578-01`	ἔκαμψαν	ekampsan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	have bowed	they bent	bend	1
`G2578-02`	κάμψῃ	kampse	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	should bow	may bend	may bend	1
`G2578-03`	κάμψει	kampsei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	shall bow	he/she/it will bend	will bend	1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2578-01`	Romans 11:4	ἔκαμψαν	ekampsan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	have bowed	they bent	bend
`G2578-03`	Romans 14:11	κάμψει	kampsei	`V FUT ACT IND 3P SG`	shall bow	he/she/it will bend	will bend
`G2578-04`	Ephesians 3:14	κάμπτω	kampto	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I bow	I bend	I bend
`G2578-02`	Philippians 2:10	κάμψῃ	kampse	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	should bow	may bend	may bend

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