"trans. to bend, inflect the knee, Rom. 11:4; Eph. 3:14 intrans. to bend, bow, Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10*"
Definition and meaning
trans. to bend, inflect the knee, Rom. 11:4; Eph. 3:14 intrans. to bend, bow, Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10*
In the original Greek the word is written: κάμπτω
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of kampto (G2578) across the King James Bible.
But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G2578 (kampto) is a Greek word that means: trans. to bend, inflect the knee, Rom. 11:4; Eph. 3:14 intrans. to bend, bow, Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word kampto (G2578) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2578 is kampto, a Greek word defined as: trans. to bend, inflect the knee, Rom. 11:4; Eph. 3:14 intrans. to bend, bow, Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kampto is a Greek word found in the New Testament.