Original Word: דֵּעָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: de`ah
Pronunciation: deh-AH
Phonetic Spelling: (day-aw')
KJV: knowledge
NASB: knowledge
Word Origin: [feminine of H1843 (דֵַּע - knowledge)]

1. knowledge

knowledge

Feminine of dea'; knowledge -- knowledge.

see HEBREW dea'

Word Origin
from yada
Definition
knowledge
NASB Translation
knowledge (6).

דֵּעָה noun feminine knowledge (strictly Infinitive of ידע) — דֵּעָה Psalm 73:11 3t.; plural דֵּעוֺת 1 Samuel 2:3; Job 36:4; — ׳תְּמִים ד Job 36:4 (of Elihu); of God's knowledge, ׳י ׳אֵל ד 1 Samuel 2:3 a God of knowledge is ׳י (on plural see Dr); יֵשׁ דֵּעָה בְעֶלְיוֺן Psalm 73:11 ("" אֵיכָה יָדַעאֵֿל); knowledge, with ׳י as object Isaiah 11:9 (where verbal force of noun appears); as taught by prophets Isaiah 28:9; וְרָעוּ אֶתְכֶם דֵּעָה וְהַשְׂכֵּיל Jeremiah 3:15 of ׳יs shepherds (i.e. future ideal rulers). Gr proposes (plausibly) רָעֹה, after ᵐ5, see also Gie.

Meaning and Scope of דֵּעָה

דֵּעָה (deʿāh) denotes the possession and communication of knowledge that is both cognitive and moral. While closely related to דַּעַת (daʿat), דֵּעָה accents insight that comes from God and is meant to be shared. It stands at the intersection of wisdom, discernment, and practical instruction, stressing how true knowledge issues in right judgment and godly action.

Occurrences in Canonical Context

• 1 Samuel 2:3 – Hannah exalts the LORD as “a God of knowledge,” grounding divine judgment in perfect insight.

• Job 36:4 – Elihu asserts that “one perfect in knowledge is with you,” testifying that accurate speech about God must flow from flawless knowledge.

• Psalm 73:11 – Scoffers mock, “Does the Most High have knowledge?” revealing that denial of God’s omniscience is at the root of unbelief.

• Isaiah 11:9 – The messianic age is pictured as the earth “full of the knowledge of the LORD,” promising the universal spread of saving insight.

• Isaiah 28:9 – Isaiah indicts the complacent, asking, “Whom will He teach knowledge?” True receptivity to instruction is contrasted with spiritual infancy.

• Jeremiah 3:15 – God pledges to raise up shepherds who “will feed you with knowledge and understanding,” linking pastoral faithfulness to the impartation of divine truth.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Attribute

דֵּעָה first exalts God’s omniscience (1 Samuel 2:3). Because His knowledge is exhaustive and infallible, His judgments are beyond appeal. Human wisdom is derivative; worship begins with acknowledging that “the LORD sees not as man sees” (compare 1 Samuel 16:7).

2. Human Limitation and Need

Job 36:4 highlights the vast chasm between finite perception and divine perfection. Elihu’s claim foreshadows the need for revelation: sinners cannot grasp God apart from His initiative. Psalm 73:11 exposes the folly of questioning God’s awareness; ignorance of His knowledge breeds envy and despair (Psalm 73:21-22).

3. Covenant Instruction

Isaiah 28:9 and Jeremiah 3:15 connect דֵּעָה to the prophetic and pastoral task. Those commissioned by God must feed His people with more than ritual—true knowledge that shapes conscience and conduct. Neglect of this mandate leads to spiritual drunkenness and eventual exile (Isaiah 28:7-13).

4. Eschatological Fulfillment

Isaiah 11:9 reveals that the Messiah will reverse Eden’s loss of knowledge. Under His rule, covenant insight will saturate creation “as the waters cover the sea,” ensuring universal peace. The New Testament echoes this trajectory when Paul speaks of “the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Relationship to the Fear of the LORD

Proverbs repeatedly joins knowledge with the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). דֵּעָה shares this nexus: where reverence is absent, knowledge degenerates into pride or skepticism; where fear of the LORD reigns, knowledge engenders humility and obedience.

Prophetic Hope and Ministry

Jeremiah 3:15 frames shepherds as conduits of דֵּעָה. Pastoral ministry is therefore instructional at its core. Feeding the flock involves communicating Scripture so that believers discern truth from error (2 Timothy 2:15) and are equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Christological Trajectory

The perfection of knowledge attributed to God in 1 Samuel 2:3 reaches its fullest expression in Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). His incarnation embodies Isaiah’s promise; His Great Commission extends that knowledge to the nations (Matthew 28:18-20).

Practical Implications for Believers

• Worship: Adore God for His exhaustive knowledge; trust His judgments when circumstances appear inscrutable.

• Discipleship: Pursue Scripture as the primary source of דֵּעָה, submitting intellect and conscience to its authority.

• Ministry: Teach with clarity and conviction, aiming not merely to inform but to transform hearts and lives.

• Evangelism: Confront the modern echo of Psalm 73:11 by proclaiming that God both knows and cares, evidenced supremely at the cross.

Conclusion

דֵּעָה captures the heartbeat of biblical revelation: God graciously imparts His own knowledge so that His people may live wisely, worship rightly, and witness faithfully until the whole earth is filled with His glory.

דֵּע֣וֹת דֵּעָ֣ה דֵּעָ֥ה דֵּעָה֙ דֵּעוֹת֙ דֵעָ֔ה דעה דעות dê‘āh ḏê‘āh dê‘ōwṯ dê·‘āh ḏê·‘āh dê·‘ō·wṯ deAh deOtInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts