Knowing

Lore & Background

The concept of 'knowing' first appears in the serpent's temptation, where God is said to know that eating the fruit will open human eyes to good and evil (Genesis 3:5). After the fall, God confirms that humanity has indeed gained this knowledge (Genesis 3:22). Cain's denial of knowing Abel's whereabouts (Genesis 4:9) contrasts with God's omniscience. Abraham uses 'know' to seek assurance of God's promise (Genesis 15:8) and is told to 'know of a surety' about Israel's future bondage (Genesis 15:13). God declares He knows Abraham will command his household in righteousness (Genesis 18:19) and will investigate Sodom to 'know' their deeds (Genesis 18:21). In the patriarchal narratives, 'know' expresses recognition of family (Genesis 29:5), acknowledgment of service (Genesis 31:6), and verification of identity (Genesis 37:32, Genesis 42:33-34). Isaac admits he does not know the day of his death (Genesis 27:2), and Jacob affirms his knowledge of his sons' origins (Genesis 44:27, Genesis 48:19).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray 'knowing' as a multifaceted concept. Divine knowing is absolute: God knows the future (Genesis 3:5), human hearts (Genesis 20:6), and faithfulness (Genesis 22:12). Human knowing is often limited or tested: Cain feigns ignorance (Genesis 4:9), Abraham seeks confirmation (Genesis 15:8), and Joseph's brothers are tested to prove they are 'true men' (Genesis 42:33-34). Knowing can be relational, as in recognizing Laban (Genesis 29:5) or acknowledging a brother (Genesis 4:9). It also carries moral weight: to 'know' in the sense of sexual intimacy is implied in Genesis 19:5, and to 'know' good and evil marks a transition from innocence to accountability (Genesis 3:22). The term is used in covenantal contexts, where God's knowledge of Abraham (Genesis 18:19) implies a chosen relationship. Overall, 'knowing' in these passages moves between divine certainty and human uncertainty, often serving as a pivot for testing, revelation, or judgment.

Did You Know?

• The serpent claims God knows that eating the fruit will make humans like gods, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5).
• God says humanity has 'become as one of us' in knowing good and evil after the fall (Genesis 3:22).
• Abraham asks 'whereby shall I know' that he will inherit the land, seeking a sign (Genesis 15:8).
• God tells Abimelech 'I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart' (Genesis 20:6).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"The Master said, "Yu, shall I teach you what knowledge is? When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it; — this is knowledge." — Knowing "Variant translation: "Yu, shall I teach you about knowledge? What you know, you know, what you don't know, you don't know. This is true knowledge"." — Knowing "When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it; this is knowledge." — Knowing "Confucius, Analects, Book II, Chapter XVII. Cited in: Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 419-23." — Knowing