Understanding γόνυ (gony) Strong’s G1119: The Divine Significance of Kneeling in Worship and Submission

Pronunciation Guide: GOH-noo (with the “o” as in “go” and the “u” as in “moon”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1119: The Greek word γόνυ (gony) refers to the knee, the joint between the upper and lower leg. In biblical contexts, it transcends mere anatomical reference to symbolize postures of worship, submission, and humility before God and others. As a physical part that enables bowing, γόνυ becomes a powerful metaphor for one’s spiritual posture before יהוה (Yahweh) and His Messiah.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (neuter)
• Root Word: From a presumed derivative of the obsolete primary γένω (geno, to “bend”)
• Language Origin: Indo-European, found in classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative sections describing worship, prayer, and submission
• Related Languages: Cognate with Latin genu and Sanskrit jānu

γόνυ Morphology:

• γόνυ (nominative singular) – knee
• γόνατος (genitive singular) – of the knee
• γόνατι (dative singular) – to/with/by the knee
• γόνυ (accusative singular) – knee (direct object)
• γόνατα (nominative/accusative plural) – knees
• γονάτων (genitive plural) – of the knees
• γόνασι(ν) (dative plural) – to/with/by the knees

Origin & History

The term γόνυ has ancient roots in Indo-European languages, consistently referring to the anatomical joint that allows bending and kneeling. In classical Greek literature, Homer’s Iliad uses γόνυ numerous times, often in battle contexts where warriors would fall to their knees in defeat or exhaustion. Sophocles and Euripides employ the term in instances where suppliants would grasp the knees of those from whom they sought mercy—a common ancient gesture of desperate petition.

In the Septuagint (LXX), γόνυ appears prominently in passages where individuals kneel in prayer or submission. Most notably in 1 Kings 19:18, where God tells Elijah about the seven thousand who had not “bowed the knee” (τὰ γόνατα) to Baal. This usage established a theological framework where the position of one’s knees became a physical manifestation of spiritual allegiance. The early Church Fathers, including Ignatius of Antioch in his epistle to the Ephesians, further developed this symbolism, pointing to the believer’s bent knee as a sign of proper submission to God’s sovereignty.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• The physical joint connecting the thigh and lower leg, enabling bending and flexibility
• A symbol of submission, reverence, and worship before God
• A posture of humility and surrender in prayer
• A metonym for the whole person in acts of obeisance or supplication
• An emblematic representation of one’s spiritual position before divine authority

γόνυ Translation Options:

• Knee – The most direct anatomical translation, appropriate when the physical body part is primarily in view
• Act of Kneeling – When the action rather than the body part is emphasized, particularly in worship contexts
• Submission – When the symbolic act of lowering oneself is the primary meaning
• Reverence – In contexts where the knee bending represents honoring or acknowledging superiority
• Supplication – Especially in prayer contexts where petitioning God is emphasized

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, γόνυ appears twelve times, often carrying profound theological significance. Its first appearance is in Mark 15:19, where the Roman soldiers mockingly bent their knees before Jesus, unwittingly foreshadowing the genuine worship He would later receive from all creation. This ironic scene powerfully contrasts with passages like Philippians 2:10, which prophesies that “every knee” will bow to the Messiah in sincere worship.

The Apostle Paul frequently mentions kneeling in prayer contexts, emphasizing the physical posture as reflecting internal reverence. For him, this was not merely customary but deeply meaningful—his bodily position aligning with his spiritual humility. Luke, in both his Gospel and Acts, records instances where kneeling precedes significant spiritual encounters, suggesting the posture prepared individuals to receive from God.

Biblical Cross References:

• “And they bent the knee [γόνυ] before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!'” Mark 15:19
• “For this reason I bow my knees [γόνατα] to the Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah.” Ephesians 3:14
• “That at the name of Jesus every knee [γόνυ] should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” Philippians 2:10
• “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees [γόνατα].” Hebrews 12:12
• “And when he had said these things, he knelt down [θεὶς τὰ γόνατα] and prayed with them all.” Acts 20:36
• “When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down [θέντες τὰ γόνατα] on the beach, we prayed.” Acts 21:5
• “For it is written: ‘As I live, says יהוה, every knee [γόνυ] shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'” Romans 14:11

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern world, kneeling carried significant cultural meaning beyond simply resting the body. Kings would require subjects to bend the knee when entering the royal presence, visibly demonstrating the power differential between sovereign and subject. This practice extended beyond human relationships—kneeling was a primary posture of worship across many ancient religions. However, in Jewish practice, standing was often the normative prayer posture, making kneeling a particularly significant intensification of devotion or supplication.

The Roman cultural context of the New Testament adds another layer of meaning to γόνυ references. Roman citizens considered kneeling before another human being deeply humiliating, reserved only for subject peoples acknowledging Roman supremacy. This cultural background illuminates why the Roman soldiers’ mockery of Jesus included bending the knee—they were dramatizing His supposed pretensions to royalty. For early Christians to then genuinely kneel before the Messiah represented a radical break with Roman social norms, declaring allegiance to a higher kingdom and embracing what the world considered foolishness.

Additionally, in both Greek and Jewish contexts, grasping another’s knees was an act of desperate supplication. This gesture created a physical connection between petitioner and potential benefactor, dramatically illustrating dependence and vulnerability. While this specific practice isn’t explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, it forms the cultural backdrop against which kneeling in prayer should be understood—not merely as a physical position but as a profound statement of trust and reliance.

Theological Significance

The theology of γόνυ (knee) in Scripture reveals profound truths about worship, sovereignty, and redemption. When Paul declares in Philippians 2:10 that every knee will bow to Jesus, he proclaims the universal lordship of the Messiah—a sovereignty that extends beyond voluntary worship to include even those who resist Him. This represents the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, where the same knees that had bent to false gods and idols will one day acknowledge the true King.

The act of kneeling embodies the paradoxical nature of God’s kingdom, where submission leads to exaltation and humility precedes glory. Just as the Messiah humbled Himself to the point of death (Philippians 2:8) before being exalted, our kneeling before Him participates in this divine pattern. There is a profound reciprocity here—Jesus bent His will to the Father’s in Gethsemane, enabling us to bend our knees to Him in grateful worship rather than forced submission.

This physical posture also reveals the holistic nature of biblical faith, which engages not merely the mind or spirit but the entire body. When Scripture speaks of strengthening “feeble knees” in Hebrews 12:12, it reveals how our physical postures and spiritual conditions are intertwined. God’s concern extends to our whole being—our capacity to stand firm in faith (strong knees) and our willingness to kneel in submission are expressions of the same redeemed humanity. The knee that bends in prayer is the same knee that must be strengthened to stand against opposition.

Personal Application

In our modern, individualistic culture where kneeling is rare outside of religious contexts, reclaiming the spiritual significance of γόνυ can transform our prayer lives. When we physically kneel in prayer, we enact with our bodies what we profess with our lips—that God is sovereign and we are dependent. This alignment of physical posture with spiritual intent can deepen our experience of surrender and help overcome the mind’s tendency to wander in prayer.

Consider incorporating kneeling into your personal devotions, even briefly, as a reminder that your relationship with God engages your whole being. In times of spiritual pride or self-sufficiency, the humbling act of lowering your body before יהוה (Yahweh) can realign your heart with truth. Similarly, in moments of deep need or crisis, kneeling can express a vulnerability and trust that words alone might fail to capture. Remember that the God who sees your bent knees is the same God who promises to strengthen them (Isaiah 35:3-4), enabling you to both bow in worship and stand firm in faith.

Related Words

• προσκυνέω (proskyneō, PROS-koo-NEH-oh) – To worship, to bow down before, literally “to kiss toward”—describes the full act of prostration and reverence, often connected with γόνυ in practice. See G4352
• κάμπτω (kamptō, KAHMP-toh) – To bend, to bow—the verb frequently used with γόνυ to describe the action of bending the knee in prayer or submission. See G2578
• γονυπετέω (gonypeteō, go-noo-pe-TEH-oh) – To fall on the knees, to kneel down before someone—a compound word including γόνυ that emphasizes the act of kneeling as a sign of respect or supplication. See G1120
• κλίνω (klinō, KLEE-noh) – To cause to bend, to bow down—a broader term for bending that can include kneeling but also encompasses other forms of bowing or reclining. See G2827
• τιθημι (tithēmi, TIH-thay-mee) – To place, set, put—often used in phrases like “θεὶς τὰ γόνατα” (placing the knees) to describe the action of kneeling. See G5087

Did you Know?

• The English word “genuflect,” meaning to bend the knee in worship or respect, comes directly from the Latin equivalents of γόνυ (genu) and flectere (to bend). This linguistic connection shows how the concept of knee-bending as an act of reverence has persisted across languages and cultures for millennia.
• In ancient Roman military practice, a soldier who had been wounded in the knee was often given an honorable discharge, as such injuries were considered especially debilitating for combat. This historical context adds poignancy to New Testament passages about “strengthening feeble knees”—the metaphor would have resonated strongly with readers familiar with the military significance of knee injuries.
• Modern medical science has discovered that the human knee is one of the most complex joints in the body, capable of bearing tremendous weight while allowing for flexibility and movement. This remarkable design has led some theologians to see the knee as a beautiful example of God’s wisdom in creation—a joint perfectly designed for both powerful standing and humble kneeling, mirroring our dual calling to firmness in faith and submission in worship.

Remember This

The bent knee before God becomes the strengthened knee for God—our posture of submission becomes the foundation of our power to stand.