γινώσκω
ginṓskō
G1097 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To come to know, to recognize, to perceive through experience or observation; to acquire or possess knowledge. The term encompasses the process of coming to know (learning, realizing), as well as the state of having knowledge or understanding. In particular contexts, it may indicate intimate acquaintance, recognition, or comprehension of truth.
Semantic Range
to come to know, to learn, to recognize, to perceive, to acknowledge, to understand, to become aware of, to know intimately (sometimes), to realize, to identify
Root / Etymology
From the root γνο-/γνω-, which also underlies the perfect form ἔγνωκα and related terms such as γνώσις ('knowledge') and γνῶσις. Cognate with Latin (g)noscere ('to know'). The root is Indo-European: *ǵneh₃- ('to know').
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested from Homeric Greek onwards, γινώσκω carries the basic idea of learning or becoming acquainted with something, often stressing the process of acquiring knowledge as opposed to merely possessing it (cf. οἶδα, which emphasizes having or holding knowledge, often of something learned earlier). In classical Greek, it denotes coming to know through inquiry, experience, or perception. By the Hellenistic and Koine periods (including the Septuagint and New Testament), γινώσκω retains these senses but can also describe intimate knowledge (such as personal acquaintance or sexual relations—see Genesis 4:1 LXX, though this is not the primary sense in the New Testament). Theology and later translation traditions sometimes render γινώσκω simply as 'know', but this can obscure nuances such as investigation, recognition, discernment, or relational familiarity. In contrast to οἶδα (G1492), which often suggests effortless or settled knowledge, γινώσκω can indicate gaining knowledge by experience, reflection, or discovery. Standard English renderings ('know', 'understand', 'perceive') may miss the developmental or experiential aspects. The term appears regularly in LXX, New Testament, and broader Hellenistic literature, frequently in legal, philosophical, or relational contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Root Family
γινώσκω (ginōskō) — to come to know, to recognize, to perceive, to learn
Word Forms
53 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1097-23 |
γινώσκετε | ginoskete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
know | you know | 23 |
G1097-15 |
ἔγνωσαν | egnosan | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they knew | they came to know | 17 |
G1097-03 |
ἔγνω | egno | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
knew | he came to know | 16 |
G1097-35 |
γνῶναι | gnonai | V AOR ACT INF |
to know | to come to know | 15 |
G1097-19 |
γινώσκει | ginoskei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
knows | comes to know | 12 |
G1097-53 |
γνοὺς | gnous | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having known | having come to know | 12 |
G1097-26 |
γινώσκομεν | ginoskomen | V PRS ACT IND 1P PL |
we know | we come to know | 10 |
G1097-21 |
γινώσκεις | ginoskeis | V PRS ACT IND 2P SG |
know | you are coming to know | 7 |
G1097-25 |
γινώσκω | ginosko | V PRS ACT IND 1P SG |
I know | I am coming to know | 7 |
G1097-05 |
ἐγνώκαμεν | egnokamen | V PRF ACT IND 1P PL |
we have known | we have come to know | 6 |
Occurrences in Scripture
222 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1097-01 |
Matthew 1:25 | ἐγίνωσκεν | eginosken | V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG |
knew | was coming to know |
G1097-52 |
Matthew 6:3 | γνώτω | gnoto | V AOR ACT IMP 3P SG |
let him come to know | |
G1097-13 |
Matthew 7:23 | ἔγνων | egnon | V AOR ACT IND 1P SG |
I came to know | |
G1097-24 |
Matthew 9:30 | γινωσκέτω | ginosketo | V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG |
let him come to know | |
G1097-48 |
Matthew 10:26 | γνωσθήσεται | gnosthesetai | V FUT PASS IND 3P SG |
will be recognized | |
G1097-09 |
Matthew 12:7 | ἐγνώκειτε | egnokeite | V PLPF ACT IND 2P PL |
you had come to know | |
G1097-53 |
Matthew 12:15 | γνοὺς | gnous | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
having come to know | |
G1097-22 |
Matthew 12:33 | γινώσκεται | ginosketai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is being known | |
G1097-35 |
Matthew 13:11 | γνῶναι | gnonai | V AOR ACT INF |
to come to know | |
G1097-23 |
Matthew 16:3 | γινώσκετε | ginoskete | V PRS ACT IND 2P PL |
you know |