← G49 G51 →

ἀγνοέω

agnoéō

G50 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ἀγνο- to not know, to be unaware, to ignore

Definition

To be unaware or not to know, primarily indicating ignorance due to a lack of knowledge or information; in various contexts, can denote failure to recognize, to fail to understand, or to disregard knowingly. In certain contexts it can also refer to deliberate inattention or ignoring a fact.

Semantic Range

to not know, to be ignorant, to be unaware, to misunderstand, to ignore, to fail to perceive, to disregard

Root / Etymology

From the negative prefix ἀ- (a-, 'not') and νοέω (noeō, 'to perceive, to think, to understand'); thus literally 'not to perceive/consider.' Cognate with Latin 'ignoro.' The formation is transparent and widely attested in Greek word formation patterns.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἀγνοέω appears in both Classical and Hellenistic Greek, with the core sense of 'not knowing' or 'being unaware.' In the Septuagint, it renders Hebrew terms for 'not knowing' or 'acting unwittingly,' often in legal or cultic contexts (e.g., sins committed in ignorance). In the New Testament, it can refer to lack of knowledge about a fact or event (e.g., Romans 1:13), to spiritual ignorance (Romans 10:3), or willful disregard (sometimes close to 'ignoring' or 'not taking into account'). English translations often use 'be ignorant,' 'not know,' or 'not understand,' but such renderings may obscure nuances—particularly the distinction between lack of information, lack of perception, and disregard. The primary contrast is with οἶδα (to know by perception or intuition) and γινώσκω (to know by learning or experience), but ἀγνοέω emphasizes the negative, whether passive or active. The noun ἄγνοια (ignorance) and the adjective ἄγνωστος (unknown) share the same root.

Translation Consistency

primary "not know" 2 occurrences

The primary semantic range of ἀγνοέω is the absence of knowledge or awareness. "Not know" is the most natural, widely applicable English rendering that can be inflected for tense/person (e.g. does not know, did not know, was unaware) and still convey the typical use. Secondary senses (deliberate ignoring, disregarding) are less common and can be handled contextually, while "not know" keeps the translation consistent and idiomatic for the majority of occurrences.

Alternatives (20 occurrences):
"unaware" (9x) "knowing" (4x) "ignorant" (2x) "having not" (1x) "him be ignorant" (1x) "disregarded" (1x) "unknown" (1x) "do not understand" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and νοιέω; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination):--(be) ignorant(-ly), not know, not understand, unknown.

Root Family

ἀγνοέω (agnoeō) — to not know, to be unaware, to ignore

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G50-02 ἀγνοεῖν agnoein V PRS ACT INF to be ignorant to be unaware to be unaware 6
G50-03 ἀγνοεῖτε agnoeite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL do you not know you are unaware you (plural) do not know 2
G50-10 ἀγνοοῦντες agnoountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL being ignorant being unaware being unaware 2
G50-13 ἠγνόουν egnooun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL did not understand they were unaware they were not knowing 2
G50-06 ἀγνοῶν agnoon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG not knowing not knowing not knowing 2
G50-05 ἀγνοήσαντες agnoesantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL not recognizing having not known having not known 1
G50-07 ἀγνοοῦμεν agnooumen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we are ignorant we are unaware we are unaware 1
G50-08 ἀγνοούμενοι agnooumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL unknown being unaware being disregarded 1
G50-11 ἀγνοοῦσι agnoousi V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M PL ignorant to those being unaware being ignorant 1
G50-12 ἀγνοοῦσιν agnoousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL they do not understand they are unaware they do not understand 1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G50-13 Mark 9:32 ἠγνόουν egnooun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL did not understand they were unaware they were not knowing
G50-13 Luke 9:45 ἠγνόουν egnooun V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL did not understand they were unaware they were not knowing
G50-05 Acts 13:27 ἀγνοήσαντες agnoesantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL not recognizing having not known having not known
G50-10 Acts 17:23 ἀγνοοῦντες agnoountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL ignorantly being unaware being unaware
G50-02 Romans 1:13 ἀγνοεῖν agnoein V PRS ACT INF to be unaware to be unaware to be unaware
G50-06 Romans 2:4 ἀγνοῶν agnoon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG not knowing not knowing not knowing
G50-03 Romans 6:3 ἀγνοεῖτε agnoeite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL do you not know you are unaware you (plural) do not know
G50-03 Romans 7:1 ἀγνοεῖτε agnoeite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL do you not know you are unaware you (plural) do not know
G50-10 Romans 10:3 ἀγνοοῦντες agnoountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL being ignorant being unaware being unaware
G50-02 Romans 11:25 ἀγνοεῖν agnoein V PRS ACT INF to be ignorant to be unaware to be unaware
← G49 Greek Lexicon G51 →