κύπτω
kýptō
G2955 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To bend or arch the upper part of the body forward, as in a gesture of stooping, bowing, or crouching. The verb primarily denotes a physical action of inclining or lowering oneself, often by curving the back or neck, and can refer to stooping due to age, humility, oppression, or physical necessity. In some contexts, it may imply submission or bowing in reverence, affliction, or fatigue.
Semantic Range
to bend (the body), to stoop down, to bow forward, to arch the back, to be bowed (physically or figuratively), to crouch
Root / Etymology
Related to the base of κῦμα (wave), which derives from κύω (to swell, be pregnant), suggesting a shared idea of curvature or arching. The immediate root is κύπτ-, with the core semantic idea of bending or curving. Some dictionaries note a possible onomatopoeic or descriptive origin relating to the physical motion of stooping.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested from classical Greek onward, κύπτω commonly describes the physical action of stooping or bending forward, often due to age, burden, or emotional distress. In the LXX and New Testament, it sometimes signifies a weakened or oppressed state, either physically (as in Luke 13:11, the woman 'bent double') or figuratively (to be bowed under suffering or guilt). This verb stands in contrast to words like ἀνακύπτω (to straighten up, look up) and ὀρθόω (to make straight). Standard English translations ('stoop', 'bend', 'bow') capture the basic physical meaning, but may not reflect metaphorical or emotional nuances, such as being weighed down by trouble. In Koine Greek, κύπτω remains a literal and occasionally metaphorical term, never fully developing abstract senses as do some cognates in other languages.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from the base of κῦμα; to bend forward:--stoop (down).
Root Family
κύπτω (kyptō) — to bend, to stoop, to bow
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2955-01 |
κύψας | kupsas | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
stooping | having stooped | having stooped | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences