Lexical Summary
daath: Knowledge
Original Word:דַּעַת
Part of Speech:Noun
Transliteration:da`ath
Pronunciation:dah'-ath
Phonetic Spelling:(dah'-ath)
KJV: cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge), (un-)awares (wittingly)
NASB:knowledge, know, premeditation, concern, skill, truth, what
Word Origin:[fromH3045 (יָדַע - know)]
1. knowledge
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
cunning, ignorantly, knowledge, unawares wittingly
Fromyada'; knowledge -- cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge), (un-)awares (wittingly).
see HEBREWyada'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
yadaDefinitionknowledge
NASB Translationconcern (1), know (3), knowledge (81), premeditation (2), skill (1), truth (1), unintentionally* (2), what (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Psalm 139:6Daniel 12:4 (masculine
Proverbs 2:10;
Proverbs 14:6, possibly
Job 33:3 Ew
§174 g) (properly Infinitive, which appears clearly
Genesis 2:9,17;
Jeremiah 22:16) — absolute
Genesis 2:9 35t.;
Joshua 20:3 35t.; construct
Numbers 24:16 10t.; suffix
Proverbs 22:17;
Job 10:7;
Isaiah 47:10;
Proverbs 3:20;
Isaiah 53:11;
Job 13:2;
Isaiah 44:25; —
knowledge, perception in phraseDeuteronomy 4:42 =unintenionally,Deuteronomy 19:4;Joshua 20:3 (where P's synonym isJoshua 20:3;Joshua 20:9, compareNumbers 35:11,15),Numbers 35:5;without knowingIsaiah 5:13 ( = before they knew it, suddenly).
=skill (in work-manship)Exodus 31:3;Exodus 35:31 (both P; both "" and ),1 Kings 7:14 (followed by infinitive); creative skillIsaiah 40:14 ("" , ).
Numbers 24:16 (JE), comparePsalm 19:3.
especially knowledge with moral qualityGenesis 2:9,17 (J; in both verbal force,the knowing good and evil).
knowledge possessed by GodJob 10:7;Psalm 139:6;Proverbs 3:20 ("" and ),Proverbs 21:12; taught by God to menPsalm 94:10;Psalm 119:66 ("" ),Proverbs 2:6 ("" and ). =windy (unreal)knowledgeJob 15:2.
especially in Wisdom Literature =discernment, understanding, wisdom:
Job 13:2;Job 33:3 ( ),Job 34:35("" ),Proverbs 8:9,10 ("" ),Proverbs 10:4;Proverbs 11:9;Proverbs 18:15 (twice in verse);Proverbs 22:12;Proverbs 29:7, compareIsaiah 32:4;Isaiah 53:11;Jeremiah 10:14 =Jeremiah 51:17;Job 35:16;Job 36:12;Job 38:2;Job 42:3,Proverbs 19:2; ""Proverbs 17:27;Isaiah 44:19; +Proverbs 24:4, ""Proverbs 1:4;Proverbs 5:2;Proverbs 8:12; "" verbProverbs 19:25; ""Proverbs 22:20; ""Proverbs 12:1;Proverbs 19:27;Proverbs 23:12; ""Malachi 2:7; ""Proverbs 14:6;Ecclesiastes 1:16,18;Ecclesiastes 2:21,26;Ecclesiastes 7:12;Ecclesiastes 9:10: connected withProverbs 21:11;Ecclesiastes 12:9;Proverbs 22:17;Isaiah 33:6 ()Isaiah 44:25 (); wisdom of magiciansIsaiah 47:10;Daniel 1:4 ("" and ).
,knowledge of God (including obedience)Hosea 4:1,6 (),Hosea 4:6;Hosea 6:6;Job 21:14;Proverbs 2:5 ("" ), soIsaiah 11:2;Isaiah 58:2;Jeremiah 22:16 (verbal force, with accusative),Proverbs 9:10 ( , "" ),Proverbs 30:3 (id., "" ); see alsoProverbs 1:7 ("" ),Proverbs 1:22;Proverbs 1:29 ("" )Proverbs 2:10 ("" ).
opposed toProverbs 12:23;Proverbs 13:16;Proverbs 14:18;Proverbs 15:2 compareProverbs 15:7, alsoProverbs 15:14.
Proverbs 14:7;Proverbs 20:15;Proverbs 24:5 ("" ). —Daniel 12:4 is dubious; Bev read .
Topical Lexicon
Essential Concept and Scopeדַּעַת appears about ninety-five times and denotes an experiential, covenantal grasp of truth that unites correct information with relational loyalty. It encompasses God’s perfect understanding (Job 21:22), the insight He imparts to His people (Proverbs 2:6), and the practical discernment that guides daily living (Proverbs 3:20).
God as the Fountain of Knowledge
“‘Am I a God who is only near,’ declares the LORD, ‘and not a God far away?’” (Jeremiah 23:23). The omnipresence that frames this question rests on divine knowledge: “O LORD, You know me; You see me” (Jeremiah 12:3). Divine דַּעַת explains why He searches hearts (1 Chronicles 28:9) and why His judgments are just (Psalm 73:11).
Knowledge, Wisdom, and the Fear of the LORD
Proverbs binds דַּעַת to both חָכְמָה (wisdom) and יִרְאַת יְהוָה (fear of the LORD). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7); “By knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure” (Proverbs 24:4). The pairing shows that reverence precedes true understanding and that knowledge produces ordered, fruitful lives.
Ethical Dimension and Right Conduct
Job denies the notion of morally neutral information: “Far be it from God to do evil… for according to a man’s deeds He repays him; He brings his way upon him in full measure. Indeed, God is unassailable and mighty in strength of knowledge” (Job 34:10–16). Knowledge condemns oppression (Proverbs 24:11–12), guards against adultery (Proverbs 5:2), and promotes integrity in leadership (Proverbs 28:2).
Prophetic Rebuke for Its Absence
Hosea laments, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The prophets often link covenant infidelity to an intentional rejection of דַּעַת. Isaiah charges Judah: “The ox knows its owner… but Israel does not know” (Isaiah 1:3). Ignorance is thus culpable blindness, not mere intellectual limitation.
Means of Acquisition
1. Divine Bestowal: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
2. Instruction in Torah: “Take to heart all the words I testify to you today… so that you may teach them to your children” (Deuteronomy 32:46).
3. Prayerful Request: Solomon pleads, “Give me wisdom and knowledge” (2 Chronicles 1:10).
4. Observant Reflection: “Go to the ant, O sluggard, consider its ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).
Consequences of Rejecting Knowledge
To refuse God’s revealed truth brings darkness (Proverbs 2:13), stubbornness (Jeremiah 9:6), and exile (Isaiah 5:13). Social disorder follows: “By a people without understanding they will be brought to ruin” (Hosea 4:14). The prophetic hope therefore includes a restoration of knowledge alongside justice and peace (Isaiah 11:9).
Eschatological Promise of Universal Knowledge
“They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). Jeremiah anticipates the new covenant: “No longer will each teach his neighbor… ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me” (Jeremiah 31:34). The ultimate fulfillment centers on the Messiah, in whom “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
Ministry Implications
• Preaching must present both doctrinal accuracy and a summons to relational fidelity.
• Discipleship should aim for experiential knowledge—truth lived out in obedient love.
• Intercessory prayer mirrors Solomon’s request, pleading that leaders be granted knowledge for just governance.
• Missions and education flow from the future vision of an earth saturated with the knowledge of the LORD.
Summary
דַּעַת unites mind and heart, information and allegiance. It exposes sin, forms character, guides society, and anticipates the day when God’s glory will be universally known.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּ֭דַעְתּוֹ בְּדַעְתּ֗וֹ בְדַ֣עַת בְדָ֑עַת בדעת בדעתו דַ֔עַת דַ֙עַת֙ דַ֝֗עַת דַ֣עַת דַ֥עַת דַּ֔עַת דַּ֖עַת דַּ֙עַת֙ דַּ֚עַת דַּ֜עַת דַּ֝֗עַת דַּ֣עַת דַּ֥עַת דַּ֭עְתְּךָ דַֽעַת־ דָ֑עַת דָ֥עַת דָּ֑עַת דָּֽעַת׃ דָֽעַת׃ דעת דעת־ דעת׃ דעתך הַדַּ֔עַת הַדַּ֖עַת הַדַּ֙עַת֙ הַדַּ֣עַת הַדַּ֥עַת הַדָּ֑עַת הַדָּֽעַת׃ הדעת הדעת׃ וְ֝דַ֗עַת וְדַ֖עַת וְדַ֣עַת וְדַ֥עַת וְדַעְתֵּ֖ךְ וְדַעְתָּ֥ם וְלָדַ֙עַת֙ וָדַ֣עַת וָדָ֑עַת וָדָֽעַת׃ וּ֝בְדַ֗עַת וּ֭בְדַעַת וּבְדַ֖עַת ובדעת ודעת ודעת׃ ודעתך ודעתם ולדעת כְּֽ֭דַעְתְּכֶם כדעתכם לְדַעְתִּֽי׃ לדעתי׃ מִדַּ֔עַת מִדַּעְתִּ֕י מדעת מדעתי bə·ḏa‘·tōw ḇə·ḏa·‘aṯ ḇə·ḏā·‘aṯ ḇəḏa‘aṯ ḇəḏā‘aṯ bəḏa‘tōw bedato da‘·tə·ḵā da‘aṯ dā‘aṯ ḏa‘aṯ ḏā‘aṯ ḏa‘aṯ- da‘təḵā da·‘aṯ dā·‘aṯ ḏa·‘aṯ ḏā·‘aṯ ḏa·‘aṯ- Daat Datecha had·da·‘aṯ had·dā·‘aṯ hadda‘aṯ haddā‘aṯ hadDaat kə·ḏa‘·tə·ḵem kəḏa‘təḵem Kedatechem lə·ḏa‘·tî ləḏa‘tî ledaTi mid·da‘·tî mid·da·‘aṯ midda‘aṯ midda‘tî midDaat middaTi ū·ḇə·ḏa·‘aṯ ūḇəḏa‘aṯ uveDaat vaDaat veDaat vedaTam vedaTech velaDaat wā·ḏa·‘aṯ wā·ḏā·‘aṯ wāḏa‘aṯ wāḏā‘aṯ wə·ḏa‘·tām wə·ḏa‘·têḵ wə·ḏa·‘aṯ wə·lā·ḏa·‘aṯ wəḏa‘aṯ wəḏa‘tām wəḏa‘têḵ wəlāḏa‘aṯ
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