דַּ֫עַת (da.at)
da.at
knowledge
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 89 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun daʿat denotes knowledge, but in Scripture it rarely refers to mere intellectual accumulation. Derived from the verb for knowing, it describes a deep, experiential perception that often carries moral weight. In Proverbs and Job, this word frequently appears alongside wisdom and understanding, suggesting that true knowledge involves discernment and right living rather than just factual awareness.
A striking feature of daʿat is its use in describing a relationship with God. Hosea 4:6 condemns Israel for rejecting "the knowledge of God," linking this knowledge directly to covenant faithfulness and religious practice. Similarly, Isaiah 11:2 speaks of the Spirit resting on the Messiah with "the spirit of knowledge," portraying it as a divine gift that enables spiritual insight and moral clarity.
The word also highlights human limitation. Passages like Job 38:2 question those who darken counsel without daʿat, contrasting foolish speech with informed understanding. Translators often render it simply as "knowledge," yet the Hebrew sense implies a knowing that transforms character, bridging the gap between head and heart in the biblical worldview.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word daʿat points to a knowing that goes far beyond facts or data. It describes an intimate, experiential understanding that shapes how we live and relate to others. In Scripture, this kind of knowledge is rarely just about the mind; it involves the heart and the will. When Hosea speaks of rejecting the knowledge of God, he is not talking about a lack of theological education. He is describing a failure to walk faithfully in covenant with God.
This distinction offers comfort when we feel overwhelmed by the complexity of life. True wisdom does not require us to master every detail. Job 38:2 reminds us that human understanding has limits, and that is okay. God invites us into a relationship where our knowledge of Him grows through trust and obedience rather than sheer intellectual effort. This knowing transforms character, bridging the gap between what we believe and how we act.
For your daily walk, this means you do not need to have all the answers to be close to God. You only need a heart willing to listen and learn. As Proverbs 1:4 suggests, knowledge is given to guide the young and the simple toward discretion. Let this word encourage you to seek understanding that leads to right living, trusting that God provides the insight needed for each step of your journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 89 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- knowledge44×
- and/ knowledge10×
- and/ [the] knowledge of5×
- the/ knowledge4×
- and/ with/ knowledge3×
- and/ knowledge of3×
- <the>/ knowledge3×
- with/ knowledge2×
- from/ knowledge2×
- by/ knowledge/ his2×
- and/ by/ knowledge2×
- <of> knowledge2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דָֽעַת\׃9×
- דָּ֑עַת8×
- וְ/דַ֖עַת6×
- דָ֑עַת6×
- דָּֽעַת\׃5×
- וְ/דַ֥עַת4×
- דַ֔עַת4×
- וּ/בְ/דַ֖עַת3×
- וְ֝/דַ֗עַת3×
- דַּ֣עַת3×
- מִ/דַּ֔עַת2×
- וָ/דָֽעַת\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Job 38:2
“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Here the word highlights human limitation, contrasting foolish speech with the humility required before God's sovereignty.
-
Proverbs 1:4
to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—
The term is paired with discretion to show that true knowledge guides practical decision-making for the young and simple.
-
Exodus 31:3
I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship,
Knowledge is listed alongside wisdom and understanding as a divine gift filling Bezalel for skilled craftsmanship.