ἄγνωστος
ágnōstos
G57 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
not known, unfamiliar; the primary lexical sense is 'unknown,' conveying the idea of something or someone that is not recognized, not identified, or not acknowledged. The term may also refer to matters that are unacquainted or unfamiliar to a group or individual. In some contexts it can carry the nuance of something mysterious or unrevealed.
Semantic Range
unknown, unfamiliar, not recognized, not identified, not acknowledged, unrevealed
Root / Etymology
from the alpha privative (ἀ-) functioning as a negative prefix, attached to γνωστός (gnōstós, 'known, recognized'), thus yielding 'not known.' γνωστός is derived from the verb γινώσκω ('to know'). The structure is directly: ἀ- + γνωστός → ἄγνωστος.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἄγνωστος is rare in classical Greek, but can be found with a consistent meaning of 'unknown' or 'unfamiliar.' The word appears in Hellenistic and Koine contexts, including inscriptions and papyri, where it describes deities, persons, or concepts that are not identified by name or reputation. In the New Testament (e.g., Acts 17:23), the term is famously used to refer to an 'unknown deity' or 'deity not known' (θεὸς ἄγνωστος); in this context, it refers to an entity whose identity or attributes are not disclosed or has not been revealed to the worshipers. The semantic force can include both not previously encountered and not revealed, depending on context. The standard English translation 'unknown' conveys the principal meaning, though it may obscure the underlying concept of non-recognition or lack of revelation in some contexts. Greek writers used ἄγνωστος in philosophical, rhetorical, and religious discourse to describe unfamiliar or obscure realities, sometimes as a counterpoint to γνωστός ('what can be known or recognized').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as negative particle) and γνωστός; unknown:--unknown.
Root Family
ἄγνωστος (agnōstos) — unknown, unfamiliar, unrecognized, not acknowledged
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G57-01 |
ἀγνώστῳ | agnosto | ADJ.A DAT M SG |
unknown | to an unknown one | to an unknown one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G57-01 |
Acts 17:23 | ἀγνώστῳ | agnosto | ADJ.A DAT M SG |
unknown | to an unknown one | to an unknown one |