Bible Dictionaries
Kneel

Holman Bible Dictionary

The common posture when requesting a blessing from one believed able to bestow the blessing. The Hebrew word for kneel comes from the same root as the word for bless. Kneeling is also considered a sign of reverence, obedience, or respect. Kneeling was the posture of prayer (Daniel 6:10; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; Acts 20:36; Ephesians 3:14; compare 1 Kings 18:42 ), acknowledging a superior (2 Kings 1:13; Matthew 17:14; Matthew 27:29; Mark 1:40; Mark 10:17; Luke 5:8 ), or worship of God (1 Kings 8:54 ), Jesus (Philippians 2:10 ), or idols (1 Kings 19:18; Isaiah 66:3 where blessing an idol refers to kneeling before an idol). See Blessing and Cursing .