1120. gonupeteó

Lexicon

gonupeteó: To kneel down, to fall on the knees

Original Word: γονυπετέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: gonupeteó
Pronunciation: go-noo-peh-TEH-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (gon-oo-pet-eh'-o)
Definition: To kneel down, to fall on the knees
Meaning: I fall on my knees before (in supplication), supplicate, entreat.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

bow the knee, kneel down.

From a compound of gonu and the alternate of pipto; to fall on the knee -- bow the knee, kneel down.

see GREEK gonu

see GREEK pipto

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from gonu and piptó
Definition
to fall on the knees
NASB Translation
falling on his knees before (2), knees before (2), knelt before (1), knelt down (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1120: γονυπετέω

γονυπετέω, γονυπέτω; 1 aorist participle γονυπετήσας; (γονυπετής, and this from γόνυ and ΠΑΤΩ equivalent to πίπτω); to fall on the knees, the act of one imploring aid, and of one expressing reverence and honor: τίνι, Matthew 17:14 Rec.; τινα, ibid. G L T Tr WH; Mark 1:40 R G Tr text brackets WH brackets; ; cf. Winers Grammar, 210 (197); (Buttmann, 147f (129)); ἔμπροσθεν τίνος, Matthew 27:29. (Polybius, Heliodorus; ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From γόνυ (gony, meaning "knee") and πίπτω (piptō, meaning "to fall")

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for γονυπετέω, similar concepts of kneeling or bowing in reverence can be found in Hebrew words such as:
• H3766 כָּרַע (kara): To bow down, to kneel.
• H7812 שָׁחָה (shachah): To bow down, to prostrate oneself, often used in the context of worship.

These Hebrew terms convey similar actions of humility and reverence, often in the context of worship or supplication, paralleling the Greek concept of γονυπετέω.

Usage: This verb is used in the New Testament to describe the act of kneeling, often in a context of worship, supplication, or earnest entreaty. It conveys a posture of humility and submission, typically before God or a person of authority.

Context: The term γονυπετέω appears in the New Testament as a physical expression of deep reverence, humility, or urgent request. It is a compound word derived from "gony," meaning knee, and "piptō," meaning to fall, thus literally translating to "falling on the knees." This act is a significant gesture in biblical narratives, symbolizing submission, worship, or earnest pleading.

In the Berean Standard Bible, γονυπετέω is used in contexts where individuals approach Jesus with a request or in worship. For example, in Matthew 17:14, a man kneels before Jesus, pleading for the healing of his son: "When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him." This act of kneeling underscores the man's desperation and recognition of Jesus' authority and power to heal.

Similarly, in Mark 1:40, a leper approaches Jesus, kneeling and imploring Him for healing: "A leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: 'If You are willing, You can make me clean.'" Here, the act of kneeling is both a plea for mercy and an acknowledgment of Jesus' divine ability to cleanse and heal.

The use of γονυπετέω in the New Testament highlights the cultural and religious significance of kneeling as a gesture of profound respect and submission. It reflects the heart posture of those who recognize their need and the authority of the one before whom they kneel.

Forms and Transliterations

γονυπετησαντες γονυπετήσαντες γονυπετησας γονυπετήσας γονυπετων γονυπετών γονυπετῶν gonupetesantes gonupetēsantes gonupetesas gonupetēsas gonupeton gonupetōn gonypetesantes gonypetēsantes gonypetḗsantes gonypetesas gonypetēsas gonypetḗsas gonypeton gonypetôn gonypetōn gonypetō̂n

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 17:14 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: αὐτῷ ἄνθρωπος γονυπετῶν αὐτὸν
NAS: came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying,
KJV: a [certain] man, kneeling down to him,
INT: to him a man kneeling down to him

Matthew 27:29 V-APA-NMP
GRK: αὐτοῦ καὶ γονυπετήσαντες ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ
NAS: in His right hand; and they knelt down before
KJV: and they bowed the knee before
INT: of him and having bowed the knees before him

Mark 1:40 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: αὐτὸν καὶ γονυπετῶν καὶ λέγων
NAS: to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying,
KJV: him, and kneeling down to him, and
INT: him and kneeling down to him and saying

Mark 10:17 V-APA-NMS
GRK: εἷς καὶ γονυπετήσας αὐτὸν ἐπηρώτα
NAS: ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked
KJV: running, and kneeled to him, and asked
INT: one and having knelt down to him asked

Strong's Greek 1120
4 Occurrences

γονυπετήσαντες — 1 Occ.
γονυπετήσας — 1 Occ.
γονυπετῶν — 2 Occ.