- to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of, perceive, feel, to understand
- to become acquainted with, to know in an intimate way
Acts 19:15 (NKJV)
“And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
The evil spirit admitted, conceded and affirmed that it knew the name of Jesus, this demonic spirit was very familiar with Jesus, it fully comprehended and acknowledged who He is, for it had known for a very long time! However this same word ginosko is not what is used when the evil spirit refers to Paul. The word used there means a knowledge obtained by an outward observation, or very surface level understanding. Basically Paul was getting the attention of the evil spirits and they were growing in the knowledge of him and the authority he was exercising in the name of Jesus!
At times ginosko is used in the present imperative tense, which means it is a strong command to recognize that there is something that must be known, must be recognized, and must be acknowledged. Having this knowledge is not optional; it is mandatory. We can see it used like this in 2 Timothy.
2 Timothy 3:1 (NKJV)
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:”
We also see it used as the word perceived. We can see it used in a verse in Matthew 22.
Matthew 22:18 (NKJV)
“But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?”
This means that Jesus knew, He surmised, and He perceived their wicked intent!
My favorite is when it is used to refer to intimate knowledge, which is the exact way the Lord Jesus desires for us to know Him. The Merriam-Webster dictionary's definition of intimacy is: the state of being intimate (familiarity); something of a personal or private nature. The definition of intimate is: marked by a warm friendship developing through long association; suggesting informal warmth or privacy. We can see it used in this manner in these verses, one of which in my opinion is the greatest verse in the Word of God, and tells clearly what eternal life is.
John 17:3 (NKJV)
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
Luke 1:34 (NKJV)
“Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
John 8:32 (NKJV)
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
It is also used in one of the most sobering verses in the Word of God, and it carries the same meaning as when it is used in John 17:3. This is something the Bible says many will hear on the Day of Judgment, and clearly states by those who called him Lord!
Matthew 7:23 (NKJV)
“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Word studies are a great way to get a greater knowledge of the scripture. Words are not always used in the way we use them today, and Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic all carry much more meaning in their original words.
So when the Holy Spirit begins to draw your attention to a specific word or phrase, pray and dig in and see what revelation He has for you!