UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: knee

Semantic entry: 8.47

Semantic domains: Body, Body Parts, and Body Products

Subdomains: Parts of the Body

Definition: central hinge joint of the leg where the thigh is joined to the lower leg

Notes: In RV LUK 5:8 · LV LUK 5:8 · Read together LUK 5:8 the phrase ‘fell on his knees before Jesus’ should normally not be rendered literally since it might imply accidental stumbling. A more satisfactory equivalent may be ‘knelt down before,’ as a sign of worship or gratitude.|The term γόνυ occurs in a number of idiomatic phrases in the NT. For example, in RV HEB 12:12 · LV HEB 12:12 · Read together HEB 12:12 the command ‘to strengthen the weak knees’ should normally not be translated literally, but by an expression meaning ‘to strengthen determination’ or ‘to give courage to’ (see 25.152: ἀνορθόω / 25.152: γόνυ / 25.152: παραλύω). The ‘bending of the knees’ in RV MRK 15:19 · LV MRK 15:19 · Read together MRK 15:19 was a sign of mock respect, and in such a context the term for ‘knee’ is often semantically absorbed into an expression meaning literally ‘bow down before’ (see 53.61: γόνυ / 53.61: κάμπτω).

Sense 2: person, individual

Semantic entry: 9.16

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Human Beings

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of γόνυ[a] ‘knee,’ 8.47: γόνυ) a person in the attitude or position of one worshiping or submitting to authority{N:001}

Sense 3: to worship, to bow before

Semantic entry: 53.61

Semantic domains: Religious Activities

Subdomains: Worship, Reverence

Definition: (a Semitic idiom, literally: the knee bends, or: the knee bows) to bend or bow the knee as a symbol of religious devotion{N:002}

Collocations: κάμπτω τὸ γόνυ

Sense 4: to become encouraged, to encourage oneself by determination

Semantic entry: 25.152

Semantic domains: Attitudes and Emotions

Subdomains: Encouragement, Consolation

Definition: (an idiom, literally: straighten paralyzed knees) to gain encouragement by a strong resolve

Notes: See discussion at 23.170: παραλύω.

Collocations: τὰ παραλελυμένα γόνατα ἀνορθόω

Sense 5: to kneel down, to kneel

Semantic entry: 17.19

Semantic domains: Stances and Events Related to Stances

Subdomains: Kneel

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to place the knees, a Latinism) to kneel down before, with the implication of an act of reverence or of supplication

Notes: In a number of cultures, kneeling does not imply either reverence or an act of supplication. In some instances translators have used a functional substitute involving a similar type of stance, namely, ‘to bow low before,’ but it may be necessary to use a more or less literal description of ‘kneeling before’ and then to place in a marginal note an indication of the implications of such an act.

Collocations: τίθημι τὰ γόνατα