θεὶς τὰ γόνατα, having knelt down. The kneeling posture marks the special character and solemnity of the prayer. We find the Apostle doing the same in his parting from the brethren at Tyre (Acts 21:5). On the usual custom of standing in prayer, cf. Mark 11:25 and the account of the Pharisee and publican (Luke 18:11-13). It has often been noticed that the historian, who gives the speech with unusual fulness, does not venture to record the prayer.

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Old Testament