Lexical Summary kardiognóstés: Knower of hearts Original Word: καρδιογνώστης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance which knows the hearts. From kardia and ginosko; a heart-knower -- which knowest the hearts. see GREEK kardia see GREEK ginosko HELPS Word-studies 2589 kardiognṓstēs (from 2588 /kardía, "heart" and 1097ginōskō, "experientially know") – properly, heart-knower. 2589 /kardiognṓstēs ("the heart-discerner") is used only of God (Ac 1:24, 15:8) – the one who knows all the inner workings of every person's heart, i.e. all their moral preferences (convictions). Accordingly, God hears "the prayer of our prayers" as He discerns our inner heart-preferences. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kardia and gnóstés Definition knower of hearts NASB Translation who know (1), who know the hearts (1), who knows (1), who knows the heart (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2589: καρδιογνώστηςκαρδιογνώστης, καρδιογνωστου, ὁ (καρδία, γνώστης), knower of hearts: Acts 1:24; Acts 15:8. (Ecclesiastical writings (Winer's Grammar, 100 (94)).) Topical Lexicon Meaning and ScopeStrong’s Greek 2589 characterizes God as the “knower of hearts,” an attribute affirming His absolute, unmediated insight into the inner person. While the term occurs only twice, it captures a truth that permeates all of Scripture: nothing in human thought, motive, or affection is hidden from the Lord. Occurrences in Scripture Acts 1:24 introduces the title in the prayer of the gathered disciples seeking Judas’s replacement: “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen”. Acts 15:8 appears in Peter’s defense of Gentile inclusion: “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us”. Although limited to Acts, the idea is echoed in passages such as 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 139:1–4, Jeremiah 17:10, John 2:24–25, and Hebrews 4:13, demonstrating continuity between Testaments. Theological Significance: Divine Omniscience 1. Comprehensive knowledge: God’s omniscience extends beyond observable actions to the intentions behind them (1 Corinthians 4:5). Historical Context: Early Church and the Admission of Gentiles Both usages occur at pivotal junctures. Acts 1 marks the embryonic Church awaiting Pentecost, desiring an apostolic witness complete in number. Acts 15 records the Jerusalem Council confronting the question of circumcision for Gentile converts. In both situations the community appealed to God’s heart-knowledge to validate decisions that would shape Church identity and mission. Practical Implications for Ministry 1. Leadership Selection Reliance on God’s appraisal rather than mere résumé encourages prayerful discernment. Congregations entrusted with ordaining elders (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1) do well to remember that hidden motives ultimately surface before the Heart-Knower. 2. Evangelism and Discipleship God’s heart-knowledge reassures evangelists that genuine faith may flourish in unseen places (John 4:35–38). Conversely, disciplers guard against superficial professions, calling believers to sincere devotion (Romans 12:9). 3. Pastoral Care Ministers confront situations where motives are unclear. Entrusting outcomes to the One who knows the heart fosters patience, humility, and avoidance of rash judgment (James 1:19–20). Related Biblical Themes • Omniscience and omnipresence (Psalm 139) Worship and Prayer Awareness that the Lord searches hearts deepens worship. Songs like David’s “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23) become earnest petitions for purification. In prayer, believers can be transparent, knowing no thought is too secret to bring before Him. Counsel and Self-Examination Biblical counseling urges individuals to examine heart-level desires (James 4:1–3). Since God already perceives them, confession and repentance are liberating rather than intimidating (1 John 1:9). Apologetic Value In a culture that prizes outward appearance, Scripture’s teaching that God alone perfectly knows the heart substantiates the need for revelation. Human self-knowledge is partial; divine disclosure is necessary for true moral insight (Jeremiah 17:9–10). Summary Strong’s 2589, though rare in occurrence, encapsulates a major biblical conviction: the Lord’s exhaustive, personal knowledge of every human heart. This conviction shapes ecclesial decisions, undergirds the gospel’s universality, warns against duplicity, and invites believers into honest relationship with their Creator and Redeemer. Forms and Transliterations εκαρδίωσας εκαρπίσαντο καρδιογνωστα καρδιογνώστα καρδιογνῶστα καρδιογνωστης καρδιογνώστης καρπασίνοις κάρπιμον καρπόβρωτόν καρωθώσι kardiognosta kardiognôsta kardiognōsta kardiognō̂sta kardiognostes kardiognōstēs kardiognṓstes kardiognṓstēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 1:24 N-VMSGRK: Σὺ κύριε καρδιογνῶστα πάντων ἀνάδειξον NAS: You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, KJV: Lord, which knowest the hearts of all INT: You Lord knower of the hearts of all show Acts 15:8 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2589 |
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