κύπτω G2955
to stoop down, bend forward; to bow or incline the body downward
This verb describes the physical action of bending forward or stooping down, typically to look at something on the ground or to demonstrate humility. The Gospel accounts use it in two significant contexts. In John 8:6, 8, Jesus stoops down to write on the ground when confronted with the woman caught in adultery—a gesture whose meaning has prompted endless speculation. Mark 1:7 uses it figuratively: John the Baptist declares himself unworthy to stoop down and untie the Messiah's sandal straps, a task so menial that even slaves were sometimes exempt from it. The physical posture communicates profound spiritual humility.
Senses
1. sense 1 — To stoop down, bend forward, or bow down. John the Baptist uses this word in Mark 1:7, declaring himself unworthy even to 'stoop down and untie' the Messiah's sandal straps—a task considered too lowly even for some slaves. In John 8:6, 8, Jesus 'stooped down and wrote on the ground' when the scribes and Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery, creating a dramatic pause that shifts attention from accusation to introspection. The physical gesture becomes spiritually significant in both contexts. 3×
AR["أَسفَل-مُنحَنِيًا", "أَنْ-أَنْحَنِيَ", "مُنحَنِيًا"]·ben["নত-হয়ে,", "নীচে-নুয়ে", "নুয়ে"]·DE["sich-buecken"]·EN["having-stooped", "stooping-down"]·FR["se-baisser"]·heb["כָּפַף", "לְמַטָּה-כָּפַף", "לָכוֹף"]·HI["झुककर", "नीचे-झुककर", "मैं"]·ID["ke-bawah-membungkuk", "membungkuk", "membungkuk,"]·IT["katokupsas", "kupsas"]·jav["mbungkuk,", "ngandhap-mbungkuk,", "sasampunipun-mbungkuk,"]·KO["구부려", "구부리시고", "아래로-구부리시고"]·PT["abaixando-me,", "abaixo-inclinando-se", "inclinando-se"]·RU["наклонившись"]·ES["abajo-inclinándose", "inclinándome", "inclinándose"]·SW["akiinamia", "chini-akiinamia", "nikiinama,"]·TR["aşağıya-eğilerek", "eğilerek", "eğilip,"]·urd["جھک-کر", "نیچے-جھک-کر"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
κύπτω, future κύψω LXXaorist ἔκυψα (see. below): perfect κέκῡφα Refs 5th c.BC+:—bend forward, stoop, πλευρά, τά οἱ κύψαντι παρ᾽ ἀσπίδος ἐξεφαάνθη Refs 8th c.BC+; ὁσσάκι γὰρ κύψει᾽ ὁ γέρων πιέειν μενεαίνων κτλ. Refs 8th c.BC+aorist participle with another Verb, ἔθει κύψας ran with the head down, i.e. at full speed, Refs 5th c.BC+; κύψας ἐσθίει eats stooping, i.e. greedily, Refs 6th c.BC+ __2 hang…