The term "knewest" is an archaic form of the verb "know," typically found in older English translations of the Bible. It is the second person singular past tense form, used when addressing a single individual. In the context of Scripture, "knewest" often implies a deep, intimate knowledge or understanding, beyond mere awareness or acquaintance.

Biblical Usage and Context

In the Bible, the concept of knowing often transcends intellectual acknowledgment and involves a relational or experiential understanding. This is evident in the way God "knows" His people and how they are called to "know" Him. The use of "knewest" in Scripture can highlight the depth of this relationship.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "know" is "yada," which conveys a sense of intimate knowledge. For example, in Genesis 4:1, "Adam knew Eve his wife," the term indicates a deep, personal relationship. While the Berean Standard Bible does not use "knewest," the concept is present in the understanding of God's covenant relationship with Israel. In passages like Jeremiah 1:5, where God says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," the depth of God's knowledge of Jeremiah is profound and personal.

New Testament

In the New Testament, the Greek word "ginosko" is frequently used to denote knowing. This term also implies a relational knowledge. For instance, in John 10:14, Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me." This mutual knowledge signifies a relationship characterized by trust and intimacy.

Theological Implications

The use of "knewest" in biblical language underscores the importance of a personal relationship with God. It suggests that God’s knowledge of individuals is not distant or abstract but is deeply personal and relational. This understanding is foundational to the Christian faith, emphasizing that believers are not merely known by God in a factual sense but are loved and understood intimately.

Application in Christian Life

For believers, the concept of being "known" by God is a source of comfort and assurance. It implies that God is aware of their struggles, joys, and needs. This intimate knowledge calls Christians to respond by seeking to know God more deeply through prayer, study of Scripture, and obedience to His commands. The relational aspect of "knowing" God is central to the Christian life, as it fosters a deeper faith and trust in His sovereign will.

In summary, while the specific term "knewest" may not appear in modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible, the underlying concept of intimate, relational knowledge remains a vital theme throughout Scripture, reflecting the profound connection between God and His people.

If Thou Knewest the Gift of God
... LXXIII IF THOU KNEWEST THE GIFT OF GOD. John iv.10. We usually notice in
this story the great words of Jesus"perhaps the deepest ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/lxxiii if thou knewest the.htm

That Without Imperfect Meekness Coming Before, it is Impossible ...
... And because I would that thou knewest which were perfect meekness, and settest it
as a token before the love of thine heart, and didst it for thee and for me. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fourteenth chapter.htm

John iv. 13, 14
... And observe, I pray you, the wisdom of Christ, [828] how gently He leads on [829]
the woman; for He did not say at first, "If thou knewest who it is that saith ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxii john iv 13.htm

The Gift and the Giver
... THE GIFT AND THE GIVER. 'Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift
of God, and ... If thou knewest who I am, thy wonder at My asking would be more. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the gift and the giver.htm

This Day are Opened, Our Mouths to Give Thanks
... Thou knewest that we had sinned; Thou knewest that we are sinners: with our iniquity
that has been and is, Thou wast acquainted when Thou hadst mercy on us. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn ii this day are.htm

The
... by a good hope. Perhaps thou knewest not whither thou wert coming, nor
in what kind of net thou art taken. Thou art come within ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/the.htm

John Chapter iv. Jan-42
... At length, hear who it is that asketh drink: "Jesus answered and said unto her,
If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xv john chapter iv.htm

The Woman of Samaria.
... (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered and said unto her, If
thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/ix the woman of samaria.htm

John Chapter vi. 15-44
... Not the meat which perisheth, but that which endureth unto eternal life," in the
same manner as it was said to that Samaritan woman: "If thou knewest who it is ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxv john chapter vi.htm

Salvation to the Uttermost
... Ah! poor sinner, if thou knewest that Christ died for thee"and I know that he did,
if thou repentest"if thou knewest that one day thou wilt be his, wouldst ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/salvation to the uttermost.htm

Knewest (11 Occurrences)
...Knewest (11 Occurrences). ... Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that
I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/k/knewest.htm - 10k

Sowed (20 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not ...
/s/sowed.htm - 12k

Wouldst (31 Occurrences)
... John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who
it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked him, and ...
/w/wouldst.htm - 16k

Bondman (108 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:26 And his lord answering said to him, Wicked and slothful bondman, thou
knewest that I reap where I had not sowed, and gather from where I had not ...
/b/bondman.htm - 36k

Knife (10 Occurrences)

/k/knife.htm - 13k

Wouldest (66 Occurrences)
... John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and
who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him ...
/w/wouldest.htm - 26k

Heardest (15 Occurrences)
... ye declare it? I have caused thee to hear new things from this time, and
things hidden, and that thou knewest not: (DBY). Isaiah 48 ...
/h/heardest.htm - 11k

Knew (1181 Occurrences)

/k/knew.htm - 6k

Nativity (9 Occurrences)
... of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land
of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. ...
/n/nativity.htm - 11k

Insolently (6 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:10 and didst show signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants,
and on all the people of his land; for Thou knewest that they dealt ...
/i/insolently.htm - 8k

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