Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Significance:Kneeling is a physical posture often associated with prayer, worship, and submission in the biblical context. It signifies humility, reverence, and a heart posture of surrender before God. Throughout the Scriptures, kneeling is depicted as an act of devotion and respect, both in personal prayer and communal worship. Biblical Instances: 1. Old Testament: · Solomon's Dedication of the Temple: In 2 Chronicles 6:13, during the dedication of the Temple, Solomon kneels before the entire assembly of Israel, spreading out his hands toward heaven. This act of kneeling underscores his humility and dependence on God as he prays for divine guidance and blessing. · Ezra's Confession: Ezra 9:5 describes Ezra falling on his knees with his hands spread out to the LORD, confessing the sins of the people. This posture reflects deep contrition and earnest supplication. 2. New Testament: · Jesus in Gethsemane: In Luke 22:41, Jesus withdraws from His disciples about a stone's throw, kneels down, and prays. This moment of kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane highlights His submission to the Father's will, even in the face of impending suffering. · Stephen's Martyrdom: Acts 7:60 records Stephen, the first Christian martyr, kneeling down and praying for his persecutors as he is being stoned. His kneeling posture illustrates his forgiveness and Christ-like love even in death. · Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders: In Acts 20:36, Paul kneels down with all the elders of the church in Ephesus and prays with them. This act of kneeling together signifies unity and shared devotion among the believers. Theological Implications: Kneeling in prayer and worship is a physical expression of the inner attitude of the heart. It is a demonstration of humility before God, acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependence on Him. The act of kneeling can also symbolize repentance, as seen in various biblical accounts where individuals kneel in confession and supplication. Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kneeling was a common gesture of respect and submission, not only in religious contexts but also in social and political settings. It was a way to show honor to a superior or a king. In the biblical narrative, this cultural practice is infused with spiritual significance, emphasizing the believer's relationship with God. Practical Application: For contemporary believers, kneeling remains a powerful posture of prayer and worship. It serves as a reminder of our need for God's grace and mercy, encouraging a spirit of humility and reverence. While physical kneeling is not always possible or necessary, the heart attitude it represents is essential in the life of faith. Scriptural References: · 2 Chronicles 6:13 : "Now Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had placed it in the midst of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven." · Ezra 9:5 : "At the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God." · Luke 22:41 : "And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed." · Acts 7:60 : "Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep." · Acts 20:36 : "When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (v. i.) To bend the knee; to fall or rest on the knees; -- sometimes with down.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia KNEE; KNEELne nel ("knee," berekh; Aramaic 'arekhubbah; gonu; "kneel"; barakh; Aramaic berakh; gonupeto): Most of the uses are obvious, and the figurative use of "knees" as the symbol of strength (Job 4:4 Hebrews 12:12, etc.) needs no explanation. The disease of the knees mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:35 is perhaps some form of leprosy. In Job 3:12 the "knees" seem to be used for the lap, as the place where a child receives its first care. Three times in Genesis the knees appear in connection with primitive adoption customs. In 30:3 a fiction is enacted that purports to represent Rachel as the actual mother of Bilhah's children. By a somewhat similar rite in 48:12, Jacob (the "knees" here are Jacob's, not Joseph's) adopts Ephraim and Manasseh, so that they are counted as two of the twelve patriarchs and not as members of a single Joseph tribe. In the same way Machir's children are adopted by Joseph in 50:23, and this is certainly connected with the counting of Machir (instead of Manasseh) as one of the tribes in Judges 5:14. See TRIBE; and for the idea underlying this paternal adoption, compare THIGH. From among classical instances of the same customs compare Homer, Odyssey, xix. 401;, where Autolukos, grandfather of Ulysses, receives the newborn grandchild on his knees and gives him his name. Thus also we have to understand the numerous representations in Egyptian sculpture, showing the king as an infant on the knees or the lap of a goddess. Greek 1120. gonupeteo -- to fall on the knees ... 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. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1120.htm - 6k 5087. tithemi -- to place, lay, set Strong's Hebrew 1288. barak -- to kneel, bless... 1287, 1288. barak. 1289 . to kneel, bless. Transliteration: barak Phonetic Spelling: (baw-rak') Short Definition: blessed. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/1288.htm - 6k 1289. berak -- to kneel, bless 86. abrek -- to kneel 3766. kara -- to bow down 1295. berekah -- a pool, pond Library How they do not Kneel from the Evening of Saturday Till the ... Forasmuch as There are Certain Persons who Kneel on the Lord's Day ... The Doomed Three Knox in England: the Black Rubric: Exile: 1549-1554 On the Negative Spirit The Converted Infidel Christmas we Love Him for He First Loved Us. Ave, Gratia Plena CM Whittier. Nature's Worship. Heal Me, O My Savior, Heal Thesaurus Kneel (10 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KNEE; KNEEL. ne nel ... SALUTATION. Burton Scott Easton. Multi-Version Concordance Kneel (10 Occurrences). Matthew ... /k/kneel.htm - 11k Knee (12 Occurrences) Kneeled (12 Occurrences) Attitudes (1 Occurrence) Homage (51 Occurrences) Knelt (20 Occurrences) Knee-deep (1 Occurrence) Even-time (4 Occurrences) Camels (52 Occurrences) Stand (542 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about bowing or kneeling in prayer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to bless God? | GotQuestions.org What is genuflection? What does it mean to genuflect? | GotQuestions.org Kneel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Kneel (10 Occurrences)Matthew 4:9 Ephesians 3:14 Genesis 24:11 Judges 7:5 Esther 3:2 Esther 3:5 Job 31:10 Job 39:3 Psalms 22:29 Psalms 95:6 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |