← H1290 H1292 →

בֶּרֶךְ

𐤁𐤓𐤊

berek

H1291 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ברך to bend the knee, to bless

Definition

The physiological joint of the leg known as the knee, the point of articulation between the thigh and the lower leg. In extended usage, 'knee' often signifies the physical act of bending or prostration, as in kneeling, and by association, can indicate reverence, submission, or prayer. Primarily used in literal contexts referring to the physical body.

Semantic Range

knee (anatomical joint), knee as site of kneeling or prostration, by extension (rarely) symbol of reverence or blessing

Root / Etymology

Root: ברך (brk) – to bend the knee, to bless. The noun בֶּרֶךְ (berek) derives directly from the root, denoting the anatomical 'knee.' The same root is also the source of the verb 'to bless' in Hebrew, owing to the gesture of kneeling in the presence of someone greater or in acts of worship. In Aramaic, the form is identical in consonants and parallels the Hebrew in form and meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

This word is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew noun for 'knee' and occurs in Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, such as Daniel and Ezra. While its primary sense is anatomical, the knee symbolized acts of deference or adoration in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israelite practice. The act of bending the knee (kneeling) often accompanied acts of blessing (ברך), prayer, or submission to authority, though this noun itself focuses on the physical joint rather than the action or its metaphorical extension. English translations consistently render the term as 'knee,' matching the standard sense; the full range of ritual or symbolic connotations depends on verbs or context rather than on this noun itself. Use in post-exilic literature tends to be literal rather than symbolic.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to בֶּרֶךְ; {a knee}; knee.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

ברך (b-r-k) — to bend the knee, to bless

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1263 בָּרוּךְ blessed one
H1288 בָרַךְ let me bless
H1289 בְּרַךְ to pronounce blessing
H1290 בֶּרֶךְ knee
H1292 בָּרַכְאֵל El has blessed

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1291-01 בִּרְכ֗וֹ/הִי birekhohi ANcfpc/Sp3ms his knees his knees 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1291-01 Daniel 6:11 בִּרְכ֗וֹ/הִי birekhohi ANcfpc/Sp3ms his knees his knees
← H1290 Hebrew Lexicon H1292 →