KNEADING-TROUGHS (ned-ing-trofs), (Heb. tnish-eh'reth). In the description of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, (Exod. xii: 34) we read that "the people took their dough be fore it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes, upon their shoulders." Persons who knoAv how cumbersome kneading troughs were, and how much less important they were than many other utensils, may wonder at this statement, and find a difficulty in accounting for it. But this wonder will cease, when it is under stood that the vessels which the Arabs make use of, for kneading the unleavened cakes they pre pare for those who travel in the very desert through which Israel passed, are only small wooden bowls; and that they seem to use no other in their own tcnts for that purpose, or any other ; these bowls being used by them for knead ing thcir bread, and serving up their provisions when cooked. It will appear, that nothing could be more convenient than kneading troughs of this sort for the Israelites in their journey.
Besides, Dr. Pococke gives us a description of a round leather cover, which the Arabs lay on the ground, from which they eat. This piece of furniture has, lie says, rings round it by which it is drawn together with a chain, that has a hook to it, to hang it by. It is drawn together, and in this manner they bring it full of bread, and when the repast is over, carry it away at once, with all that is left. Perhaps this utensil is rather to be
understood by the word translated kneading troughs, than the Arab wooden bowl. There is nothing, in the other three places in which the word occurs, to contradict this explanation. These places are Exod. viii :3 ; Deut. xxviii :5 and 17 ; in the last two of which places it is translated store. (SCC BREAD.) KNEE (n-e.), (Heb. and Chald. beh'rek ; Gr.
-yort,,gon-oo'); KNEEL (Heb. baw-rak ; Gr.
yortorcrew,gon-oo-tet-eh'o, to bend the knee).
Knee not only signifies that part of the body so called, but the whole body, a part being put for the whole (Ps. cix :24). Also for persons; so weak and feeble knees denote weak and dis consolate persons (Job iv :4 ; Heb. xii :12; IS. XXXV :3). To bow the knee to one, imports adora tion of, or prayer to him (1 Kings xix :18 ; Eph. iii :14) ; or to reverence and be in subjection to him (Gen. xli :43; Phil. ii :10). To bring up, or dandle on the knees, is affectionately to nourish, as a mother does her own child (Gen. xxx :3 and 1:23; Is. lxvi :12). The smiting of the knees one against another is expressive of extraordinary terror and amazement (Dan. v :6).
Figuratitie. Knees are used symbolically for persons (Job iv :4; Heb. xii :12).