Reference: Knee, Kneel
Hastings
The knees are often referred to in Scripture as the place where weakness of the body, from whatever cause, readily manifests itself: e.g. from terror (Job 4:4; Da 5:8), or fasting (Ps 109:24). The reference in De 28:35 seems to be to 'joint leprosy,' in which, after the toes and fingers, the joints of the larger limbs are attacked (Driver, Deut. in loc.). The laying of children on the knees of father or grandfather seems to have involved recognition of them as legitimate members of the family (Ge 30:8; 50:23). In many passages of Scripture kneeling is spoken of as the attitude assumed in prayer (1Ki 8:54; Ps 95:8; Da 6:10; Ac 20:36 etc.). To 'bow the knee' is equivalent to 'worship' (1Ki 19:18; Isa 45:23; Ro 14:11 etc.). To fall upon the knees before a superior is an act at once of reverence and of entreaty (2Ki 1:13; Mt 17:14; Lu 5:8 etc.). In the court of an Eastern judge the writer has often seen men prostrate themselves, and then make their plea, resting upon their knees.
W. Ewing.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Rachel said, "In [my] wrestlings with God, I have wrestled with my sister and won," and she named him Naphtali.
He saw Ephraim's sons to the third generation; the sons of Manasseh's son Machir were recognized by Joseph.
The Lord will afflict you on your knees and thighs with painful and incurable boils from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.
When Solomon finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the Lord, he got up from kneeling before the altar of the Lord, with his hands spread out toward heaven,
But I will leave 7,000 in Israel-every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him."
Then the king sent a third captain of 50 with his 50 [men]. The third captain of 50 went up and fell on his knees in front of Elijah and begged him, "Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these 50 servants of yours be precious in your sight.
Your words have steadied the one who was stumbling, and braced the knees that were buckling.
"Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the wilderness
My knees are weak from fasting, and my body is emaciated.
By Myself I have sworn; Truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
So all the king's wise men came in, but none could read the inscription or make known its interpretation to him.
When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before Him.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, because I'm a sinful man, Lord!"
After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.
For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.