γόνυ

a knee

Definition

The Greek word γόνυ (gony) primarily means 'knee' or 'knees,' referring literally to the joint of the leg. In the New Testament, it is used both in a physical sense, as when soldiers kneel before Jesus in mockery (Mark 15:19), and in a figurative or symbolic sense to denote an act of submission, reverence, or prayer. For instance, kneeling in prayer is a posture of humility and supplication, vividly illustrated by Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke 22:41) and by Stephen at his martyrdom (Acts 7:60). The phrase 'bow the knee' can also symbolize worship or allegiance, as seen in the quotation from 1 Kings 19:18 referenced by Paul in Romans 11:4.

Biblical Usage

The word appears 12 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels and Acts, often in narratives describing prayer or acts of homage. Its usage consistently involves a posture of the body: either in earnest prayer (Luke 22:41, Acts 9:40, Acts 20:36), in worshipful farewell (Acts 21:5), or in gestures of mockery or supplication (Mark 15:19, Luke 5:8). The pattern shows that 'gony' is almost always connected to a significant physical and spiritual action, making it a verb-associated noun rather than a mere anatomical term.

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵónu, meaning 'knee.' This root is widely attested in cognates across languages, such as Latin 'genu,' English 'knee,' and Sanskrit 'jānu.' In Greek, it remained a straightforward anatomical term, with its symbolic extensions (like kneeling in submission) developing from common physical postures in Mediterranean and Near Eastern cultures.

Semantic Range

Theologically, 'gony' is significant because it connects physical posture with spiritual attitude. Kneeling is a powerful biblical symbol of humility, dependence on God, and worship. Jesus' kneeling in prayer (Luke 22:41) models submission to the Father's will, while passages like Romans 14:11 (quoting Isaiah 45:23) that speak of every knee bowing point to the universal lordship of Christ. Understanding this enriches reading by highlighting how bodily actions in scripture often express inner faith, submission, and reverence.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, kneeling was a recognized posture for prayer, supplication before a superior, or an act of homage to deities or kings. It signified respect, submission, and urgent petition. This differs somewhat from some modern contexts where standing is a common prayer posture. Bowing the knee was a deliberate, culturally understood gesture of lowering oneself, making its biblical instances charged with intentional meaning.

προσκυνέω (proskyneō, G4352) — a verb meaning 'to worship' or 'prostrate oneself,' often involving kneeling or bowing down. προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai, G4336) — the general verb 'to pray,' for which kneeling (gony) is a specific posture.

Word Details

Scripture References