Lexical Summary
agnoeó: To be ignorant, to not know, to be unaware
Original Word:ἀγνοέω
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:agnoeó
Pronunciation:ag-no-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling:(ag-no-eh'-o)
KJV: (be) ignorant(-ly), not know, not understand, unknown
NASB:unaware, ignorant, know, knowing, understand, uninformed, unknown
Word Origin:[fromG1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) andG3539 (νοιέω - understand)]
1. not to know (through lack of information or intelligence)
2. (by implication) to ignore (through dislike, disinterest, or unwillingness)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be ignorant, not know, not understand
Froma (as a negative particle) andnoieo; not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination) -- (be) ignorant(-ly), not know, not understand, unknown.
see GREEKa
see GREEKnoieo
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
alpha (as a neg. prefix) and the same as
ginóskóDefinitionto be ignorant, not to know
NASB Translationhave no knowledge (1), ignorance (1), ignorant (2), ignorantly (1), know (2), knowing (2), recognize (1), recognized (1), recognizing (1), unaware (4), understand (2), uninformed (2), unknown (2).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 50: ἀγνοέωἀγνοέω (
ΓΝΟ (cf.
γινώσκω)),
(ῶ (imperative,
ἀγνοείτω1 Corinthians 14:38RGTr text
WH marginal reading); imperfect
ἠγνόουν; 1 aorist
ἠγνόησα; (passive, present
ἀγνοοῦμαι, participle
ἀγνοούμενος; from
Homer down);
a.to be ignorant, not to know: absolutely,1 Timothy 1:13;τινα,τί,Acts 13:27;Acts 17:23;Romans 10:3;ἐντίνι (as in Test. Jos. § 14 Fabricii Pseudepigr. ii., p. 717 (but the readingἠγνόουνἐπίπᾶσιτούτοις is now given here; seeTest. xii. Patr. ad fid. manuscriptCant. etc., Sinker edition, Cambr. 1869)),2 Peter 2:12, unless one prefer to resolve the expression thus:ἐντούτοις,ἅἀγνοοῦσιβλασφημοῦντες,Winers Grammar, 629 (584) (cf.Buttmann, 287 (246)); followed byὅτι,Romans 2:4;Romans 6:3;Romans 7:1;1 Corinthians 14:38 (where the antecedent clauseὅτικτλ. is to be supplied again);οὐθέλωὑμᾶςἀγνοεῖν, a phrase often used by Paul (an emphatic)scitote: followed by an accusative of the object,Romans 11:25;ὑπέρτίνος,ὅτι,2 Corinthians 1:8;περίτίνος,1 Corinthians 12:1;1 Thessalonians 4:13; followed byὅτι,Romans 1:13;1 Corinthians 10:1; in the passiveἀγνοεῖται 'he is not known' i. e. according to the context 'he is disregarded,'1 Corinthians 14:38LTTr marginal readingWH text;ἀγνωύμενοι (opposed toἐπιγινωσκόμενοι men unknown, obscure,2 Corinthians 6:9;ἀγνοούμενοςτινι unknown to one,Galatians 1:22;οὐκἀγνοεῖν to know very well,τί,2 Corinthians 2:11 (Wis. 12:10).
b.not to understand:τί,Mark 9:32;Luke 9:45.
c.to err, sin through mistake, spoken mildly of those who are not high-handed or willful transgressors (Sir. 5:15; 2 Macc. 11:31):Hebrews 5:2, on which see Delitzsch.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and ScopeThe verb agnoeō (Strong’s Greek 50) describes a state of not knowing, failing to perceive, or being unaware of spiritual or factual realities. Twenty–two New Testament occurrences span the Gospels, Acts, the Pauline and General Epistles, and Hebrews, displaying both culpable and excusable ignorance.
Ignorance as a Root of Unbelief
Ignorance explains Jewish rejection of Messiah (Acts 13:27) and pagan idolatry (Acts 17:23). In both scenes the gospel confronts misplaced worship by unveiling the long-hidden plan of God. Paul affirms that even blasphemous opposition can be “shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:13), echoing the Old Testament category of “sins committed unintentionally” yet requiring atonement.
Paul’s Formula “I Do Not Want You to Be Ignorant”
Five times Paul introduces vital instruction with this phrase:
• Redemptive history (1 Corinthians 10:1)
• Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1)
• Apostolic suffering (2 Corinthians 1:8)
• Israel’s future (Romans 11:25)
• The state of the dead in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
In each case ignorance threatens assurance, unity, or holiness, so the apostle remedies it with Spirit-given revelation.
Ignorance and Self-Righteousness
Romans 10:3 warns that “because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” Here ignorance is neither innocent nor harmless; it hardens into self-reliance and unbelief.Romans 2:4 adds that failing to recognize God’s kindness leads to presuming upon His patience.
The Disciples’ Misunderstanding of Jesus
Mark 9:32 andLuke 9:45 record the Twelve as “not understanding” Jesus’ prediction of the cross. Their ignorance is temporary, dispelled after the resurrection, yet it illustrates the blindness even sincere followers may experience before the Spirit’s illumination.
The Compassionate High Priest Toward the Ignorant
Hebrews 5:2 portrays the Levitical high priest as “able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided,” prefiguring Christ’s perfect sympathy. The passage underscores pastoral gentleness toward believers who err from lack of understanding.
Apostolic Ministry: Turning Ignorance to Knowledge
Paul aims that “we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Ministry exposes satanic devices, clarifies hardships (2 Corinthians 6:9), and guards doctrine (Galatians 1:22). Peter contrasts false teachers who “blaspheme in matters they do not understand” (2 Peter 2:12) with believers growing in knowledge of the Lord.
Pastoral Application
1. Preaching must unveil Christ from all Scripture, dispelling ignorance that obscures the gospel.
2. Christian education nurtures informed worship and safeguards against error.
3. Compassion rather than condemnation guides shepherds when believers falter through ignorance.
4. Evangelism recognizes that unbelief often springs from genuine unawareness; clarity and patience are essential.
Doctrinal Reflection
Ignorance is a moral and spiritual deficiency healed only by divine revelation. Scripture, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, replaces darkness with light, rescues sinners from self-made righteousness, and equips saints for mature service. Thus every occurrence of agnoeō ultimately drives the church to proclaim and embody the saving knowledge of God in Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
αγνοει αγνοεί ἀγνοεῖ αγνοειν αγνοείν ἀγνοεῖν αγνοειται ἀγνοεῖται αγνοειτε αγνοείτε ἀγνοεῖτε αγνοείτω αγνοησαντες αγνοήσαντες ἀγνοήσαντες αγνοήση αγνοουμεν αγνοούμεν ἀγνοοῦμεν αγνοουμενοι αγνοούμενοι ἀγνοούμενοι αγνοουμενος αγνοούμενος ἀγνοούμενος αγνοούν αγνοουντες αγνοούντες ἀγνοοῦντες αγνοουσι αγνοούσι ἀγνοοῦσι ἀγνοοῦσιν αγνοων αγνοών ἀγνοῶν ηγνόηκα ηγνόηκας ηγνοήσαμεν ηγνόησε ηγνόησεν ηγνοουν ηγνόουν ἠγνόουν agnoei agnoeî agnoein agnoeîn agnoeitai agnoeîtai agnoeite agnoeîte agnoesantes agnoēsantes agnoḗsantes agnoon agnoôn agnoōn agnoō̂n agnooumen agnooûmen agnooumenoi agnooúmenoi agnooumenos agnooúmenos agnoountes agnooûntes agnoousin agnooûsin egnooun egnóoun ēgnooun ēgnóounLinks
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