יָדַע
To know (properly, to ascertain by seeing ); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation , care , recognition ; and causatively, instruction , designation , punishment , etc.)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
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Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does יָדַע (yada) mean in the Bible?
יָדַע (yada) is a Hebrew word meaning "to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing ); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation , care , recognition ; and causatively, instruction , designation , punishment , etc.)". to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc. The word highlights moral discernment in communication. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant, Revelation, Wisdom.
Meaning
Knowledge grounded in direct perception or experience; extends to intimate relationship, care, and moral recognition.
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) BDB: know Usage: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, × could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, be learned, lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, × prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), × will be, wist, wit, wot.
Why This Word Matters
The word highlights moral discernment in communication. Hosea 6:1-3
Egypt’s restoration centers on covenantal knowledge of the Lord. Isaiah 19:18-22
Defines covenant fidelity as experiential knowledge. Proverbs 10:32
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 493×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 29×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 26×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 2×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 2×
Hophal causative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action 3×
Poel 1×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 1×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Additional Occurrences
Showing 8 of 953 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.