1119. gonu

Lexical Summary

gonu: Knee

Original Word: γόνυ
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: gonu
Pronunciation: GOH-noo
Phonetic Spelling: (gon-oo')
KJV: knee(X -l)
NASB: knee, knees, feet
Word Origin: [of uncertain affinity]

1. the "knee"

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

knee

Of uncertain affinity; the "knee" -- knee(X -l).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
the knee
NASB Translation
down* (4), feet (1), knee (3), kneeling* (2), knees (3), knelt* (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1119: γόνυ

γόνυ, γονατος, τό (from Homer down), the knee: Hebrews 12:12; τιθέναι τά γόνατα to bend the knees, kneel down, of persons supplicating: Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5; of (mock) worshippers, Mark 15:19, so also προσπίπτειν τοῖς γόνασι τίνος, Luke 5:8 (of a suppliant in Euripides, Or. 1332); κάμπτειν τά γόνατα to bow the knee, of those worshipping God or Christ: τίνι, Romans 11:4; πρός τινα, Ephesians 3:14; reflexively, γόνυ καμπτει τίνι, to i. e. in honor of one, Romans 14:11 (1 Kings 19:18); ἐν ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ, Philippians 2:10 (Isaiah 45:23).

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Motif

The knee is consistently presented as the hinge between creaturely frailty and divine majesty. When the knee bends, it announces dependence, humility, worship, surrender—or, when it refuses to bend, rebellion. The twelve New Testament occurrences of γόνυ/γόνατα mark critical moments in the life of the Lord Jesus, the growth of the early Church, and the climactic promise of universal homage.

Repentance before Christ (Luke 5:8)

Peter’s great catch drives him to collapse “at Jesus’ knees and [say], ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’” The posture externalises inner contrition. The fisherman cannot stand upright before divine holiness; his bent knees confess sin even before his lips do.

Intercessory Prayer and Communion with the Father

• Jesus: “He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed” (Luke 22:41). The Son’s submission in Gethsemane sanctifies the act of kneeling for every disciple who must say, “Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
• Stephen: “Falling on his knees, he cried out…‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’” (Acts 7:60). The martyr’s knees cushion the stones that take his life; prayer for enemies springs from that same posture.
• Peter at Joppa: “He knelt down and prayed” (Acts 9:40) before commanding Tabitha to rise, underscoring that resurrection power is sought on bent knees, not asserted from human height.
• Paul with Ephesian elders and the believers in Tyre (Acts 20:36; 21:5) models corporate kneeling. Shared prayer on the beach or in the assembly hall mirrors shared dependence on God.
• Paul’s written testimony: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father” (Ephesians 3:14). The apostle envisions his readers strengthened with power “in the inner being” while his own outer frame bows in their behalf.

Mock Kneeling and Prophetic Irony (Mark 15:19)

Roman soldiers jeer, “falling on their knees” while spitting on Christ. Their parody of worship unwittingly foreshadows the day when every knee will bend in earnest. The scene warns that posture without reverence remains blasphemy, yet even mock homage declares His kingship.

Strengthened or Feeble Knees (Hebrews 12:12)

“Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.” Borrowing Isaiah 35:3, the writer urges endurance. Knees buckle under discouragement; the gospel supplies the brace. Believers “run with endurance” only after Christ’s grace steadies their joints.

Refusing to Bend to Idolatry (Romans 11:4)

Paul cites Elijah’s remnant: “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” The preserved knees belong to hearts preserved from compromise, illustrating that true worship is as much about what we refuse to adore as Whom we do adore.

Universal Submission to Divine Lordship

• “Every knee will bow before Me” (Romans 14:11, quoting Isaiah 45:23).
• “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10).

Creation’s destiny is doxological unanimity. Voluntary, joyful worship now anticipates compelled acknowledgement later. The cosmic sweep (“heaven…earth…under the earth”) leaves no rational or spiritual realm exempt.

Theology and Application

1. Humility: Bending physically nurtures spiritual lowliness (Luke 5:8; Ephesians 3:14).
2. Dependence: Knees ground prayer, declaring God’s sufficiency (Luke 22:41; Acts 20:36).
3. Solidarity: Shared kneeling unites saints across age, gender, and locale (Acts 21:5).
4. Witness: Refusal to bow to false gods authenticates loyalty to the true God (Romans 11:4).
5. Hope: Weak knees are strengthened by the “joy set before” us (Hebrews 12:12), and the certainty that every creature will finally submit to Christ (Philippians 2:10).

Ministry Significance

Early Christian leaders instinctively knelt in pivotal moments—healing the dead, appointing elders, bidding farewell, enduring persecution. Their example teaches that effective ministry flows from worshipful dependency, not human prowess. Churches that neglect bodily expressions of reverence risk dulling spiritual sensitivities; those that cherish such gestures align visible conduct with invisible faith.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 1119 threads through the New Testament as a silent preacher: the knee preaches repentance, intercession, perseverance, and the inevitability of Christ’s universal reign. Whether it bends in worship or stiffens against idolatry, the knee reveals the heart’s allegiance, and Scripture invites believers to join the long line of saints who have willingly knelt before the Lord of glory.

Forms and Transliterations

γόνασι γόνασί γονασιν γόνασιν γονατα γόνατα γόνατά γονάτων γονυ γόνυ gonasin gónasin gonata gónata gónatá gonu gony góny

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 15:19 N-ANP
GRK: τιθέντες τὰ γόνατα προσεκύνουν αὐτῷ
NAS: and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before
KJV: bowing [their] knees worshipped
INT: bending the knees knelt down to him

Luke 5:8 N-DNP
GRK: προσέπεσεν τοῖς γόνασιν Ἰησοῦ λέγων
NAS: at Jesus' feet, saying,
KJV: Jesus' knees, saying,
INT: fell at the knees of Jesus saying

Luke 22:41 N-ANP
GRK: θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύχετο
NAS: throw, and He knelt down
INT: having fallen on the knees he prayed

Acts 7:60 N-ANP
GRK: δὲ τὰ γόνατα ἔκραξεν φωνῇ
NAS: falling on his knees, he cried
INT: moreover the knees he cried with a voice

Acts 9:40 N-ANP
GRK: θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο καὶ
NAS: them all out and knelt down
INT: having bowed the knees he prayed And

Acts 20:36 N-ANP
GRK: θεὶς τὰ γόνατα αὐτοῦ σὺν
NAS: these things, he knelt down
KJV: spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed
INT: having bowed the knee of him with

Acts 21:5 N-ANP
GRK: θέντες τὰ γόνατα ἐπὶ τὸν
NAS: [we were] out of the city. After kneeling down
INT: having bowed the knees on the

Romans 11:4 N-ANS
GRK: οὐκ ἔκαμψαν γόνυ τῇ Βάαλ
NAS: WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.
KJV: bowed the knee to [the image of] Baal.
INT: not bowed a knee to Baal

Romans 14:11 N-NNS
GRK: κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ καὶ πᾶσα
NAS: EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW
KJV: every knee shall bow to me,
INT: will bow every knee and every

Ephesians 3:14 N-ANP
GRK: κάμπτω τὰ γόνατά μου πρὸς
NAS: I bow my knees before
KJV: I bow my knees unto the Father
INT: I bow the knees of me to

Philippians 2:10 N-NNS
GRK: Ἰησοῦ πᾶν γόνυ κάμψῃ ἐπουρανίων
NAS: EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
KJV: every knee should bow,
INT: of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven

Hebrews 12:12 N-ANP
GRK: τὰ παραλελυμένα γόνατα ἀνορθώσατε
NAS: that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
KJV: and the feeble knees;
INT: the enfeebled knees lift up

Strong's Greek 1119
12 Occurrences

γόνασιν — 1 Occ.
γόνατα — 8 Occ.
γόνυ — 3 Occ.