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γνωστός

gnōstós

G1110 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

knowable, known, or familiar (that which has been made known or is recognized); describes something or someone who is the subject of knowledge or acquaintance, or who is notable among a group; can refer both to personal relationships (an acquaintance) and broader public recognition (something notable or famous).

Semantic Range

known, familiar, notable, acquaintance, recognized, made known, manifest, knowable

Root / Etymology

From the verb γινώσκω (to know, to become acquainted with, to recognize), formed with the adjectival suffix -τός, indicating 'that which can be known' or 'that which has been made known.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The adjective γνωστός is well attested in classical and Hellenistic Greek, frequently bearing the sense of ‘known,’ ‘recognizable,’ or ‘familiar.’ In earlier Greek it applies to things manifest or knowable, and to people as those with whom one has been acquainted. In Septuagint usage, it can translate terms referring to knowledge, notoriety, or the act of being recognized (e.g., a relative or familiar person). In New Testament usage (e.g., Luke 2:44, Acts 4:16), it often refers to that which is evident, widely known, or publicly acknowledged, rather than to an abstract quality of being able to be known. The nuance between ‘acquaintance’ (as a person one knows) and ‘notable, well-known’ (as something or someone regarded by many) may depend on context. Standard English translations often narrow the meaning to 'acquaintance' or 'well-known,' but the Greek word’s semantic range covers both personal and impersonal senses of being 'known.'

Translation Consistency

primary "known" 14 occurrences

γνωστός primarily means ‘known’ or ‘familiar’ and the overwhelming majority of occurrences are rendered that way. ‘Known’ is neutral and natural English that covers both personal acquaintance and public recognition (well-known, recognized, familiar), so it provides a consistent, idiomatic base for all forms.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"acquaintances" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from γινώσκω; well-known:--acquaintance, (which may be) known, notable.

Root Family

γνωστός (gnōstos) — known, knowable, familiar, recognized

Root γνω- to know, to recognize, to acquaint

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1110-04 γνωστὸν gnoston ADJ.P NOM N SG known known (neuter singular) known (neuter singular) 10
G1110-05 γνωστὸς gnostos ADJ.P NOM M SG known known one known one 2
G1110-01 γνωστὰ gnosta ADJ.P ACC N PL known things known things known things 1
G1110-02 γνωστοὶ gnostoi ADJ.S NOM M PL acquaintances those known known 1
G1110-03 γνωστοῖς gnostois ADJ.S DAT M PL acquaintance to known ones acquaintances 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1110-03 Luke 2:44 γνωστοῖς gnostois ADJ.S DAT M PL acquaintance to known ones acquaintances
G1110-02 Luke 23:49 γνωστοὶ gnostoi ADJ.S NOM M PL acquaintances those known known
G1110-05 John 18:15 γνωστὸς gnostos ADJ.P NOM M SG known known one known one
G1110-05 John 18:16 γνωστὸς gnostos ADJ.P NOM M SG known known one known one
G1110-04 Acts 1:19 γνωστὸν gnoston ADJ.P NOM N SG known known (neuter singular) known (neuter singular)
G1110-04 Acts 2:14 γνωστὸν gnoston ADJ.P NOM N SG known known (neuter singular) known (neuter singular)
G1110-04 Acts 4:10 γνωστὸν gnoston ADJ.P NOM N SG known known (neuter singular) known (neuter singular)
G1110-04 Acts 4:16 γνωστὸν gnoston ADJ.A NOM N SG notable known (neuter singular) known (neuter singular)
G1110-04 Acts 9:42 γνωστὸν gnoston ADJ.P NOM N SG known known (neuter singular) known (neuter singular)
G1110-04 Acts 13:38 γνωστὸν gnoston ADJ.P NOM N SG known known (neuter singular) known (neuter singular)
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