Word Study for G2578 (κάμπτω)

kámptō /kamp'-to/ Ask about this word

Rootapparently a primary verb

Meaningto bend

KJV usagebow.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of kámptō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kámptō, represented by G2578, describes the action to bend or bow. It appears 5 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. This term primarily denotes the physical act of bending the knee as a sign of worship, submission, and reverence before a divine authority.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, G2578 signifies a profound posture of allegiance. It describes the future, universal submission to Christ, where at the name of Jesus every knee should bow Philippians 2:10. This act is linked with verbal confession, as it is written that every knee shall bow to the Lord and every tongue shall confess to God Romans 14:11. The term also depicts a personal act of worship and prayer, as when Paul states, "I bow my knees unto the Father" Ephesians 3:14. Conversely, refusing to bow the knee is an act of faithfulness, as seen in the seven thousand men who had not bowed the knee to Baal Romans 11:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of submission and worship:

G1119 góny (knee): This word is intrinsically linked to kámptō, as the knee is what is being bent in every occurrence. The action of bowing the knee is a physical expression of an internal posture Ephesians 3:14.
G1843 exomologéō (confess): This action is paired with bowing to complete the act of submission. Acknowledging divine authority involves both the body (bowing the knee) and the voice, as every tongue will confess to God Romans 14:11.
G2962 kýrios (Lord): This title identifies the one to whom submission is due. The act of bowing is directed to the Lord as the supreme authority Romans 14:11.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2578 is significant and centered on the nature of worship and authority.

Worship and Reverence: The physical act of bowing the knee is a primary expression of worship. It is a posture of humility and reverence directed toward the Father, as demonstrated in personal prayer Ephesians 3:14.
Universal Submission to Christ: The use of kámptō establishes a key theological truth: the ultimate and universal acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's lordship. Every knee, including those of beings in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, will one day bow before Him Philippians 2:10.
Declaration of Allegiance: The choice of whom to bow before is a declaration of ultimate loyalty. The remnant who did not bow the knee to Baal demonstrates that true faithfulness to God requires rejecting all false deities and idolatry Romans 11:4.

Summary

In summary, G2578 kámptō is a powerful verb that transcends a simple physical motion. It is a defining act of reverence, submission, and ultimate allegiance. Whether in the personal devotion of a believer bowing before the Father Ephesians 3:14 or in the prophesied universal acknowledgment of Christ's authority Philippians 2:10, to bow the knee is to declare where one's loyalty lies. It illustrates the proper posture of all creation before the supreme Lord.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 3rd Singular 1×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans (2 verses); never once in the other 24.

Romans

Ephesians

Philippians

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.