Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "knowing" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from intellectual understanding to intimate relational knowledge. The Hebrew word often translated as "know" is יָדַע (yada), and the Greek equivalent is γινώσκω (ginōskō). Both terms convey a depth of understanding that goes beyond mere cognitive awareness, often implying a personal, experiential, and relational aspect.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, "know" frequently refers to an intimate, covenantal relationship. For example, Genesis 4:1 states, "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain." Here, "knew" signifies a deep, personal union. This relational aspect is also evident in God's relationship with His people. In Exodus 33:17, the LORD says to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name." This indicates a personal, chosen relationship. The prophetic literature often uses "know" to describe the desired relationship between God and Israel. In Hosea 6:6, God declares, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." This knowledge is not merely intellectual but involves a heartfelt commitment to God's ways. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, "know" continues to carry the connotation of relational depth. Jesus emphasizes the importance of knowing Him as the path to eternal life. In John 17:3, He prays, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." This knowledge is transformative and salvific, rooted in a personal relationship with God through Christ. The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of knowing Christ as the ultimate goal of the believer's life. In Philippians 3:10, he expresses his desire "to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death." This knowledge involves both understanding and experiencing the life and sufferings of Christ. Theological Implications The biblical concept of knowing God is foundational to the Christian faith. It implies a relationship that is both initiated and sustained by God’s grace. In 1 Corinthians 8:3, Paul writes, "But the one who loves God is known by God." This suggests that true knowledge of God is reciprocal and rooted in love. Furthermore, knowing God is linked to obedience and moral living. In 1 John 2:3-4, it is written, "By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. Whoever says, 'I know Him,' but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Thus, knowing God is evidenced by a life that reflects His character and commands. Practical Application For believers, the call to know God is an invitation to a lifelong journey of faith and discipleship. It involves studying Scripture, prayer, and living in community with other believers. As one grows in the knowledge of God, it leads to a deeper love for Him and a greater desire to serve others. In summary, the biblical understanding of "know" is rich and multifaceted, encompassing intellectual, relational, and experiential dimensions. It is central to the believer's relationship with God and is reflected in a life of faith, love, and obedience. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Knee.2. (v. i.) To perceive or apprehend clearly and certainly; to understand; to have full information of; as, to know one's duty. 3. (v. i.) To be convinced of the truth of; to be fully assured of; as, to know things from information. 4. (v. i.) To be acquainted with; to be no stranger to; to be more or less familiar with the person, character, etc., of; to possess experience of; as, to know an author; to know the rules of an organization. 5. (v. i.) To recognize; to distinguish; to discern the character of; as, to know a person's face or figure. 6. (v. i.) To have sexual commerce with. 7. (v. i.) To have knowledge; to have a clear and certain perception; to possess wisdom, instruction, or information; -- often with of. 8. (v. i.) To be assured; to feel confident. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia KNOW; KNOWLEDGEno, nol'-ej (in Hebrew chiefly yadha`, noun da`ath; in Greek ginosko, oida' "to know fully," epiginosko, noun gnosis epignosis): Knowledge strictly is the apprehension by the mind of some fact or truth in accordance with its real nature; in a personal relation the intellectual act is necessarily conjoined with the element of affection and will (choice, love, favor, or, conversely, repugnance, dislike, etc.). Knowledge is distinguished from "opinion" by its greater certainty. The mind is constituted with the capacity for knowledge, and the desire to possess and increase it. The character of knowledge varies with its object. The senses give knowledge of outward appearances; the intellect connects and reasons about these appearances, and arrives at general laws or truths; moral truth is apprehended through the power inherently possessed by men of distinguishing right and wrong in the light of moral principles; spiritual qualities require for their apprehension spiritual sympathy ("They are spiritually judged," 1 Corinthians 2:14). The highest knowledge possible to man is the knowledge of God, and while there is that in God's infinity which transcends man's power of comprehension (Job 11:7, 9), God is knowable in the measure in which He has revealed Himself in creation (Romans 1:19, 20, "that which is known of God," etc.), and supremely in Jesus Christ, who alone perfectly knows the Father, and reveals Him to man (Matthew 11:27). This knowledge of God in Jesus Christ is "life eternal" (John 17:3). Knowledge is affirmed of both God and man, but with the wide contrast that God's knowledge is absolute, unerring, complete, intuitive, embracing all things, past, present, and future, and searching the inmost thoughts of the heart (Psalm 139:1, 23); whereas man's is partial, imperfect, relative, gradually acquired, and largely mixed with error ("Now we see in a mirror darkly.... in part," 1 Corinthians 13:12). All these points about knowledge are amply brought out in the Scripture usage of the terms. A large part of the usage necessarily relates to natural knowledge (sometimes with a carnal connotation, as Genesis 4:1, 17), but the greatest stress also is laid on the possession of moral and spiritual knowledge (e.g. Psalm 119:66 Proverbs 1:4, 7, 22, 29; Proverbs 8:10, etc.; Luke 1:77 Romans 15:14 2 Peter 1:5, 6). The highest knowledge, as said, is the knowledge of God and Christ, and of God's will (Hosea 6:6 Romans 11:33 Ephesians 1:17; Ephesians 4:13 Philippians 1:9; Philippians 3:8 Colossians 1:9, 10, etc.). The moral conditions of spiritual knowledge are continually insisted on ("If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God," John 7:17). On the. other hand, the pride of intellectual knowledge is condemned; it must be joined with love ("Knowledge puffeth up, 1 Corinthians 8:1). The stronger term epignosis is used to denote the full and more perfect knowledge which is possessed in Christ, the conditions of which are humility and love. Of knowledge as connoting favor, choice, on the part of God, there are many examples (Psalm 1:6, Yahweh knoweth the way of the righteous"; Galatians 4:9, "know God, or rather to be known by God"; compare Romans 8:29, "whom he fore-knew").ectual knowledge as the Divine omnipotence is different from muscular strength. Consequently, the passage of this knowledge into a human intellect is impossible, and the problem of the incarnation should be stated: What effect did Divine omniscience in the person have on the conscious intellect of the manhood? There is so little help from the past to be gained in answering this question, that it must remain open at present-if, indeed, it is ever capable of a full answer. But that ignorance in the intellect of the manhood is fully consistent with omniscience in the person seems to be not merely a safe answer to the question as stated, but an inevitable answer if the true humanity of Christ is to be maintained at all. Greek 1921. epiginosko -- to know exactly, to recognize ... to know exactly, to recognize. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epiginosko Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ig-in-oce'-ko) Short Definition: I come to know, discern ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1921.htm - 10k 1097. ginosko -- to come to know, recognize, perceive 314. anaginosko -- to know certainly, know again, read 1987. epistamai -- to know, to understand 50. agnoeo -- to be ignorant, not to know 4267. proginosko -- to know beforehand 1107. gnorizo -- to come to know, to make known 3609a. oida -- to have seen or perceived, hence to know 2467 -- know. 3609. oikeios -- to have seen or perceived, hence to know Strong's Hebrew 3045. yada -- to know... 3044, 3045. yada. 3046 . to know. Transliteration: yada Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-dah') Short Definition: know. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/3045.htm - 8k 3046. yeda -- to know 1847. daath -- knowledge 5234. nakar -- to regard, recognize 854. eth -- with (denoting proximity) 5046. nagad -- to be conspicuous 3321. yetsab -- to make certain, gain certainty 995. bin -- to discern Library How I Know God Answers Prayer How to Know the Will of God As to Know the Father and the Son is Life... What it is to Know God, --Tendency of this Knowledge. I Know Thy Works Whether Angels Know the Future? Do You Know Him? January 5. "I Know Him that He Will do the Law" (Gen. xviii. 19). Of the Desire to Know the Bridegroom in his Nature Whether a Man Can Know that He Has Grace Thesaurus Know (8133 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) Knee. 2. (vi) To perceive or apprehend clearly and certainly; to understand; to have full information of; as, to know one's duty. ... /k/know.htm - 12k Assuredly (31 Occurrences) Applied (22 Occurrences) Sinful (61 Occurrences) Aware (44 Occurrences) Sayest (66 Occurrences) Sufferings (27 Occurrences) Simply (27 Occurrences) Knowledge Appears (38 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean to be still and know that I am God? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God know our thoughts? | GotQuestions.org How can I get to know God better? | GotQuestions.org Know: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Know (8133 Occurrences)Know appears 8133 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms |
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