The term "knowest" is an archaic form of the verb "know," often found in older English translations of the Bible. It is used in the second person singular, typically addressing an individual directly. This term appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, understanding, and divine insight.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Knowledge: The concept of "knowest" often highlights the omniscience of God. In the Bible, God's knowledge is portrayed as complete and perfect, encompassing all things past, present, and future. For instance, in Job 38:18, God challenges Job, saying, "Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all." This rhetorical question underscores God's infinite understanding compared to human limitations.

2. Human Understanding: The use of "knowest" also pertains to human knowledge and the pursuit of wisdom. In Proverbs, the pursuit of knowledge and understanding is a recurring theme. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Here, the emphasis is on recognizing the limits of human knowledge and the necessity of divine guidance.

3. Relational Knowledge: In the New Testament, "knowest" is used in relational contexts, particularly in the interactions between Jesus and His disciples. In John 21:17, Jesus asks Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter responds, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." This exchange highlights the intimate knowledge Jesus has of His followers' hearts and intentions.

4. Moral and Ethical Knowledge: The Bible often associates knowledge with moral and ethical living. In Romans 2:18, Paul speaks to those who "knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law." This passage suggests that true knowledge involves understanding God's will and living according to His commandments.

5. Prophetic Insight: The prophets frequently use "knowest" to convey messages from God, revealing divine plans and purposes. In Ezekiel 37:3, God asks the prophet, "Son of man, can these bones live?" to which Ezekiel responds, "O Lord GOD, thou knowest." This interaction demonstrates the prophet's recognition of God's sovereign knowledge over life and death.

Theological Implications

The use of "knowest" in Scripture underscores several key theological themes:

· Omniscience of God: God's complete and perfect knowledge is a foundational attribute, affirming His sovereignty and authority over creation.
· Human Limitation: The frequent questioning of human knowledge serves as a reminder of our finite understanding and the need for reliance on God's wisdom.
· Relational Intimacy: The term highlights the personal relationship between God and His people, where God knows the hearts and minds of individuals.
· Moral Responsibility: Knowledge in the biblical sense is not merely intellectual but involves ethical and moral dimensions, calling believers to live in accordance with God's revealed will.

In summary, "knowest" serves as a linguistic marker in Scripture that points to the profound themes of divine knowledge, human understanding, and the relational dynamics between God and His creation.2589. kardiognostes -- knower of hearts
... which knows the hearts. From kardia and ginosko; a heart-knower -- which knowest
the hearts. see GREEK kardia. see GREEK ginosko. (kardiognosta) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2589.htm - 7k

Whence Knowest Thou This?
... Lord's Day 6 Question 19 Whence knowest thou this? Whence knowest thou this?
From the holy gospel, which God himself first revealed ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 19 whence knowest thou.htm

The Passion. "If Thou Knowest not How to Meditate on High and ...
... THE PASSION. "If thou knowest not how to meditate on high and heavenly things, rest
on the Passion of Christ, and willingly dwell in his sacred wounds. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/the passion if thou knowest.htm

Thou Knowest, Lord, the Weariness and Sorrow
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Visitation 402. Thou knowest, Lord, the weariness and
sorrow. ... Jane Borthwick, 1859. Thou knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow. ...
/.../visitation 402 thou knowest lord.htm

Whence Knowest Thou Thy Misery?
... The First Part"Of The Misery Of Man. Lord's Day 2 Question 3 Whence knowest thou
thy misery? Whence knowest thou thy misery? Out of the law of God. [19]. ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 3 whence knowest thou.htm

And Thou Knowest How Far Thou Hast Already Changed Me...
... Book X Chapter XXXVI And Thou knowest how far Thou hast already changed
me? And Thou knowest how far Thou hast already changed ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxxvi and thou knowest.htm

O Madness, which Knowest not How to Love Men...
... Book IV Chapter VII O madness, which knowest not how to love men? O madness,
which knowest not how to love men, like men! O foolish ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vii o madness which.htm

Bishop Gaudentius Said: Thou Knowest, Brother Aetius, that Since ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XVIII. Bishop Gaudentius said: Thou knowest,
brother A?�tius, that since thou wast made bishop? (Greek.) ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xviii bishop gaudentius said .htm

For Altogether, as Thou Art, Thou Only Knowest; who Art ...
... Book XIII Chapter XVI For altogether, as Thou art, Thou only knowest;
Who art unchangeably? For altogether, as Thou art, Thou ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xvi for altogether as.htm

"Boast not Thyself of To-Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day ...
... Sermon VI. "Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a
day may bring forth.". Prov. xxvii.1.""Boast not thyself ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi boast not thyself.htm

Let Me Know Thee, O Lord, who Knowest Me...
... Book X Chapter I Let me know Thee, O Lord, who knowest me? Let me know Thee,
O Lord, who knowest me: let me know Thee, as I am known. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter i let me know.htm

Knowest (480 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Knowest (480 Occurrences). Knowest is found 480 times
in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. ...
/k/knowest.htm - 6k

Jonas (11 Occurrences)
... He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs. ... He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. ...
/j/jonas.htm - 12k

Lovest (13 Occurrences)
... He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs. ... He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. ...
/l/lovest.htm - 10k

Dwelling-place (38 Occurrences)
... 8:39 then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and do, and render
unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; ( for thou ...
/d/dwelling-place.htm - 17k

Attached (31 Occurrences)
... He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. ... He says
to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. ...
/a/attached.htm - 15k

Understandest (10 Occurrences)
... Job 15:9 What knowest thou, that we know not? ... (YLT). Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my
downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. ...
/u/understandest.htm - 9k

Eli'sha (52 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 2:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Beth-el came forth to Elisha,
and said unto him: 'Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master ...
/e/eli'sha.htm - 22k

Canst (62 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Job 38:33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? ... Job 39:1 Knowest
thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? ...
/c/canst.htm - 24k

Nostril (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 15:14 And I will make them to pass with thine enemies into a land which
thou knowest not; for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon ...
/n/nostril.htm - 7k

Willeth (14 Occurrences)
... herb as oxen they do cause thee to eat, and by the dew of the heavens they are wetting
thee, and seven times do pass over thee, till that thou knowest that the ...
/w/willeth.htm - 11k

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