Knee
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
"a knee" (Latin, genu), is used (a) metaphorically in Hebrews 12:12 , where the duty enjoined is that of "courageous self-recovery in God's strength;" (b) literally, of the attitude of a suppliant, Luke 5:8; Ephesians 3:14; of veneration, Romans 11:4; 14:11; Philippians 2:10; in mockery, Mark 15:19 . See Kneel.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): ( n.) A bending of the knee, as in respect or courtesy.
(2): ( n.) A piece of timber or metal formed with an angle somewhat in the shape of the human knee when bent.
(3): ( n.) In man, the joint in the middle part of the leg.
(4): ( n.) The joint, or region of the joint, between the thigh and leg.
(5): ( n.) In the horse and allied animals, the carpal joint, corresponding to the wrist in man.
(6): ( v. t.) To supplicate by kneeling.
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types [3]
Isaiah 45:23 (a) A type of submission to Christ in the day of His power. (See also Philippians 2:10).
Ezekiel 47:4 (b) The Holy Spirit affects our life of devotion.
Hebrews 12:12 (b) This is a picture of the weak, depressed and distressed Christian.
King James Dictionary [4]
KNEE, n. nee. L. genu.
1. In anatomy, the articulation of the thigh and leg bones. 2. In ship-building, a piece of timber somewhat in the shape of the human knee when bent, having two branches or arms, and used to connect the beams of a ship with her sides or timbers.
KNEE, nee. To supplicate by kneeling. Not used.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [5]
(Heb. and Chald. בֶּרֶךְ , Be'Rek; Gr. Γόνυ ; Psalms 109:24; in Daniel 5:6, the Chald. term is אִרְכֻּבָה , Arkcubah'). The Hebrew word, as a verb, signifies to Bend the knee ( 2 Chronicles 6:13), also to Bless, to pronounce or give a blessing, because the person blessed kneels. (See Blessing). In this sense it refers to the benediction of dying parents ( Genesis 27:4; Genesis 27:7; Genesis 27:10; Genesis 27:19), of the priest to the people ( Leviticus 9:22-23), of a prophet ( Numbers 24:1; Deuteronomy 33:1). It also signifies to salute, which is connected with blessing ( 2 Kings 4:29). In relation to God, to praise, to thank him ( Deuteronomy 8:10; Psalms 16:7).
The expression is also, in another form, used in reference to camels, as to make them bend the knee in order to take rest: "And he made his camels to kneel down without the city" ( Genesis 24:11). (See Camel).
To bow the knee is to perform an act of worship ( 1 Kings 19:18), and in this sense it is used in the Heb. in Isaiah 66:3; "He that worships idols" is, literally, " He that bows the knee" to them. (See Worship). That kneeling was the posture of prayer we learn from 2 Chronicles 6:13; Daniel 6:10; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Ephesians 3,14. (See Prayer).
Knees are sometimes put symbolically for persons, as in Job 4:4; Hebrews 12:12 (Wemyss). (See Kneel).
For the peculiar term in Genesis 41:43 (see Reineccius, De Nomine, אִבְרֵךְ W Veissenf. 1726), see ABRECI.
