Lexicon agnóstos: Unknown, Unrecognized Original Word: ἄγνωστος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance unknown. From a (as negative particle) and gnostos; unknown -- unknown. see GREEK a see GREEK gnostos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and the same as ginóskó Definition unknown NASB Translation unknown (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 57: ἄγνωστοςἄγνωστος, (from Homer down), unknown: Acts 17:23 (cf. B. D. American edition under the word Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-, "not") and γινώσκω (ginōskō, "to know"), meaning "unknown" or "unknowable."Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἄγνωστος, the concept of something being unknown or unknowable can be related to Hebrew terms such as סָתַר (sathar, Strong's H5641), meaning "to hide" or "conceal," and עָלַם (alam, Strong's H5956), meaning "to be hidden" or "to be concealed." These terms convey the idea of something being beyond human understanding or recognition, similar to the Greek concept of ἄγνωστος. Usage: The word ἄγνωστος appears in the New Testament in contexts where the unknown nature of something is emphasized. It is used to describe things that are not known or recognized by people. Context: The Greek term ἄγνωστος is notably used in the New Testament in Acts 17:23, where the Apostle Paul addresses the people of Athens at the Areopagus. He observes their altar inscribed "To an Unknown God" (τῷ ἀγνώστῳ θεῷ, tō agnōstō theō) and uses this as a starting point to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul identifies this "unknown" deity as the one true God, who created the world and everything in it, and who is not served by human hands as if He needed anything. This passage highlights the Athenians' acknowledgment of their limited understanding of the divine and serves as a bridge for Paul to introduce the revelation of God through Christ. The use of ἄγνωστος in this context underscores the contrast between human ignorance and divine revelation, emphasizing the need for true knowledge of God, which is made possible through Jesus. Forms and Transliterations ΑΓΝΩΣΤΩ αγνώστω ἀγνώστῳ αγονος άγονος AGNoSTo AGNŌSTŌLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |