Hebrew · H3766, G2578 · unreviewed

יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ

To bend the knee; by implication, to sink , to prostrate · to bend

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

כָּרַע H3766 to bend the knee; by implication, to sink , to prostrate
Pronunciation kāraʿ
Physical submission expressing submission to authority, defeat, or worship through bodily lowering
Open lexicon entry →
κάμπτω G2578 to bend
Pronunciation kámptō
To bend the knee in submission or worship, often metonymically representing the bender themselves.
Open lexicon entry →

What does יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ (yishtachavu) mean in the Bible?

כָּרַע · κάμπτω is a Hebrew word meaning "to bow down, show submission or recognition".

Full entry for יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ (H3766, G2578) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to bow down, show submission or recognition
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 22×
Perfect Gen 49:9 · Isa 10:4 · Isa 46:1 · Judg 5:27 · Num 24:9 · 1Kgs 19:18 · 2Chr 29:29 · Isa 46:2 · Judg 7:6 · Ps 20:9 12×
Imperfect Esth 3:2 · Judg 7:5 · Ps 22:30 · Ps 72:9 · Isa 45:23 · Isa 65:12 · Job 39:3
Participle active Esth 3:2 · Esth 3:5 · Job 4:4
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action
Imperfect 2Sam 22:40 · Ps 18:40
Infinitive absolute Judg 11:35
Perfect Ps 78:31
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 26 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Perfect 13 Imperfect 9 Participle 3 Infinitive absolute 1
Stem
Qal 22 Hiphil 4
Mood
Indicative 13 Indicative/jussive 9

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources