γνῶσις (G1108) — Greek Lexicon

γνῶσις

gnōsis

G1108 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The act of knowing; knowledge or understanding acquired through perception, study, or experience. In philosophical, religious, and common parlance, γνῶσις refers to both intellectual comprehension and experiential or practical knowledge, as opposed to mere information or opinion. Depending on context, it may denote specialized knowledge, insight, deeper understanding (particularly in religious or moral contexts), or technical/scientific skill.

Semantic Range

knowledge, knowing, understanding, intellectual comprehension, insight, awareness, discernment, practical skill, expertise, technical or scientific knowledge, spiritual or religious insight

Root / Etymology

From the Greek verb γινώσκω (‘to know, to recognize, to perceive’), derived from the root *γνω- with the nominalizing suffix -σις indicating an action or process. No evidence of direct borrowing from non-Greek sources.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, γνῶσις primarily denoted the act or process of knowing, as distinct from δόξα (‘opinion’). In Hellenistic and Koine usage, especially in philosophical contexts (including Platonism and popular Middle Platonic currents), it could refer both to practical knowledge and to a deeper, sometimes esoteric understanding. In the Septuagint, the term frequently translates Hebrew דַּעַת (daʿat: ‘knowledge,’ especially of God or Torah), carrying over the association with divinely-given wisdom or moral discernment. In New Testament writings, γνῶσις can indicate both ordinary knowledge and, in some passages, a more specialized or spiritual insight; polemically, it may describe the kind of knowledge claimed by particular groups (e.g., so-called 'Gnostics') and is not always viewed positively. Standard English translations render γνῶσις as 'knowledge', which often fails to distinguish between general knowing and the nuanced, often relational or experiential dimensions present in Greek usage. It should be contrasted with σοφία (‘wisdom’), which implies not only knowledge but also the judicious application of it, and with ἐπίγνωσις, which in Koine often connotes full or complete knowledge.

Translation Consistency

primary "knowledge" 29 occurrences

γνῶσις is primarily a noun meaning knowledge/understanding across intellectual, practical, and spiritual contexts. 'Knowledge' is the most common, natural English rendering (23 of 29 P2 occurrences), covers the typical semantic range (insight, awareness, expertise) without forcing a more specific shade like 'insight' or the gerund 'knowing', and will provide consistent, natural-sounding translations in SIBI.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from γινώσκω; knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge:--knowledge, science.

Root Family

γνῶσις (gnōsis) — knowing, knowledge, understanding, insight, recognition

Root γνω- to know, to recognize, to perceive

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
G1097	γινώσκω	knowledge

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1108-02`	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge	12
`G1108-01`	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	knowledge	8
`G1108-03`	γνῶσιν	gnosin	`N ACC F SG`	knowledge	knowledge	knowledge	6
`G1108-04`	γνῶσις	gnosis	`N NOM F SG`	knowledge	knowing	knowledge	3

Occurrences in Scripture

29 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1108-03`	Luke 1:77	γνῶσιν	gnosin	`N ACC F SG`	knowledge	knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-02`	Luke 11:52	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-02`	Romans 2:20	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-02`	Romans 11:33	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	of knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-02`	Romans 15:14	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-01`	1 Corinthians 1:5	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-03`	1 Corinthians 8:1	γνῶσιν	gnosin	`N ACC F SG`	knowledge	knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-04`	1 Corinthians 8:1	γνῶσις	gnosis	`N NOM F SG`	Knowledge	knowing	knowledge
`G1108-04`	1 Corinthians 8:7	γνῶσις	gnosis	`N NOM F SG`	knowledge	knowing	knowledge
`G1108-03`	1 Corinthians 8:10	γνῶσιν	gnosin	`N ACC F SG`	knowledge	knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-01`	1 Corinthians 8:11	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-02`	1 Corinthians 12:8	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	of knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-03`	1 Corinthians 13:2	γνῶσιν	gnosin	`N ACC F SG`	knowledge	knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-04`	1 Corinthians 13:8	γνῶσις	gnosis	`N NOM F SG`	knowledge	knowing	knowledge
`G1108-01`	1 Corinthians 14:6	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-02`	2 Corinthians 2:14	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-02`	2 Corinthians 4:6	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-01`	2 Corinthians 6:6	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-01`	2 Corinthians 8:7	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	in knowledge
`G1108-02`	2 Corinthians 10:5	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-01`	2 Corinthians 11:6	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-02`	Ephesians 3:19	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-02`	Philippians 3:8	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-02`	Colossians 2:3	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-02`	1 Timothy 6:20	γνώσεως	gnoseos	`N GEN F SG`	knowledge	of knowledge	of knowledge
`G1108-03`	1 Peter 3:7	γνῶσιν	gnosin	`N ACC F SG`	knowledge	knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-03`	2 Peter 1:5	γνῶσιν	gnosin	`N ACC F SG`	knowledge	knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-01`	2 Peter 1:6	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	knowledge
`G1108-01`	2 Peter 3:18	γνώσει	gnosei	`N DAT F SG`	knowledge	to knowledge	knowledge

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