Original Word: דַּעַת
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: da`ath
Pronunciation: dah'-ath
Phonetic Spelling: (dah'-ath)
KJV: cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge), (un-)awares (wittingly)
NASB: knowledge, know, premeditation, concern, skill, truth, what
Word Origin: [from H3045 (יָדַע - know)]

1. knowledge

cunning, ignorantly, knowledge, unawares wittingly

From yada'; knowledge -- cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge), (un-)awares (wittingly).

see HEBREW yada'

Word Origin
from yada
Definition
knowledge
NASB Translation
concern (1), know (3), knowledge (81), premeditation (2), skill (1), truth (1), unintentionally* (2), what (1).

דַּ֫עַת noun feminine^{Psalm 139:6} Daniel 12:4 (masculine Proverbs 2:10; Proverbs 14:6, possibly Job 33:3 Ew^{§174 g}) knowledge (properly Infinitive, which appears clearly Genesis 2:9,17; Jeremiah 22:16) — absolute דַּ֫עַת Genesis 2:9 35t.; דָּ֑עַת Joshua 20:3 35t.; construct דַּ֫עַת Numbers 24:16 10t.; suffix דַּעְתִּי Proverbs 22:17; דַּעְתְּךָ Job 10:7; דַּעְתֵּךְ Isaiah 47:10; דַּעְתּוֺ Proverbs 3:20; Isaiah 53:11; דַּעְתְּכֶם Job 13:2; דַּעְתָּם Isaiah 44:25; —

1. a. knowledge, perception in phrase ׳בִּבְלִי ד Deuteronomy 4:42 = unintenionally, Deuteronomy 19:4; Joshua 20:3 (where P's synonym is בִּשְׁגָגָה Joshua 20:3; Joshua 20:9, compare Numbers 35:11,15), Numbers 35:5; without knowing ׳מִבְּלִי ד Isaiah 5:13 ( = before they knew it, suddenly).

b. = skill (in work-manship) Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31 (both P; both "" תְּבוּנָה and חָכְמָה), 1 Kings 7:14 (followed by infinitive); creative skill Isaiah 40:14 ("" אֹרַח מִשְׁמָּט, דֶּרֶךְ תְּבוּנוֺת).

c. of prophetic knowledge עליון ׳יֹדֵעַ ד Numbers 24:16 (JE), compare Psalm 19:3.

d. especially knowledge with moral quality Genesis 2:9,17 (J; in both verbal force, טוֺב וָרַע ׳הַדּ the knowing good and evil).

e. knowledge possessed by God Job 10:7; Psalm 139:6; Proverbs 3:20 ("" חָכְמָה and תְּבוּנָה), Proverbs 21:12; taught by God to men Psalm 94:10; Psalm 119:66 ("" טוּב טַעַם), Proverbs 2:6 ("" תְּבוּנָה and חָכְמָה). feminine דַּעַתרֿוּחַ = windy (unreal) knowledge Job 15:2.

2 especially in Wisdom Literature = discernment, understanding, wisdom:

a. Job 13:2; Job 33:3 (שְׂפָתַי ׳ד), לֹא בְּדַעַת Job 34:35("" חכמה), Proverbs 8:9,10 ("" מוסר), Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 11:9; Proverbs 18:15 (twice in verse); Proverbs 22:12; Proverbs 29:7, compare Isaiah 32:4; Isaiah 53:11; Jeremiah 10:14 = Jeremiah 51:17; בבלי דעת Job 35:16; Job 36:12; ׳בלי ד Job 38:2; Job 42:3, ׳בְּלֹא ד Proverbs 19:2; "" תְּבוּנָה Proverbs 17:27; Isaiah 44:19; ׳ת + חכמה Proverbs 24:4, "" מְזִמָּה Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 5:2; מְזִמּוֺת ׳ד Proverbs 8:12; "" verb עָרַם Proverbs 19:25; "" מֹצֵעוֺת Proverbs 22:20; "" מוּסָר Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 19:27; Proverbs 23:12; "" תּוֺרָה Malachi 2:7; "" חכמה Proverbs 14:6; Ecclesiastes 1:16,18; Ecclesiastes 2:21,26; Ecclesiastes 7:12; Ecclesiastes 9:10: connected with חָכָם Proverbs 21:11; Ecclesiastes 12:9; דברי חכמים Proverbs 22:17; Isaiah 33:6 (חכמת) Isaiah 44:25 (חכמים); wisdom of magicians Isaiah 47:10; Daniel 1:4 ("" חָכְמָה and מַדָּע).

b. in highest sense, knowledge of God (including obedience) Hosea 4:1,6 (מִבְּלִי הַדַּעַת), Hosea 4:6; Hosea 6:6; Job 21:14; Proverbs 2:5 ("" ׳יראת י), so Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 58:2; Jeremiah 22:16 (verbal force, with accusative), Proverbs 9:10 (קדשׁים ׳ד, "" ׳יראת י), Proverbs 30:3 (id., "" חָכְמָה); see also ׳ראשׁית ד ׳יִרְאַת י Proverbs 1:7 ("" חָכְמָה מוּסָר), Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 1:29 ("" ׳יִרְאַת י) Proverbs 2:10 ("" חָכְמָה).

c. opposed to אִוֶּלֶת Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 14:18; Proverbs 15:2 compare Proverbs 15:7, also Proverbs 15:14.

d. ׳שִׂפְתֵידֿ Proverbs 14:7; Proverbs 20:15; ׳אישׁ ד Proverbs 24:5 ("" גֶּבֶר חָכָם). — Daniel 12:4 is dubious; ᵐ5 Bev read ותרכה הָרָעֹת.

Essential Concept and Scope

דַּעַת appears about ninety-five times and denotes an experiential, covenantal grasp of truth that unites correct information with relational loyalty. It encompasses God’s perfect understanding (Job 21:22), the insight He imparts to His people (Proverbs 2:6), and the practical discernment that guides daily living (Proverbs 3:20).

God as the Fountain of Knowledge

“‘Am I a God who is only near,’ declares the LORD, ‘and not a God far away?’” (Jeremiah 23:23). The omnipresence that frames this question rests on divine knowledge: “O LORD, You know me; You see me” (Jeremiah 12:3). Divine דַּעַת explains why He searches hearts (1 Chronicles 28:9) and why His judgments are just (Psalm 73:11).

Knowledge, Wisdom, and the Fear of the LORD

Proverbs binds דַּעַת to both חָכְמָה (wisdom) and יִרְאַת יְהוָה (fear of the LORD). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7); “By knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure” (Proverbs 24:4). The pairing shows that reverence precedes true understanding and that knowledge produces ordered, fruitful lives.

Ethical Dimension and Right Conduct

Job denies the notion of morally neutral information: “Far be it from God to do evil… for according to a man’s deeds He repays him; He brings his way upon him in full measure. Indeed, God is unassailable and mighty in strength of knowledge” (Job 34:10–16). Knowledge condemns oppression (Proverbs 24:11–12), guards against adultery (Proverbs 5:2), and promotes integrity in leadership (Proverbs 28:2).

Prophetic Rebuke for Its Absence

Hosea laments, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The prophets often link covenant infidelity to an intentional rejection of דַּעַת. Isaiah charges Judah: “The ox knows its owner… but Israel does not know” (Isaiah 1:3). Ignorance is thus culpable blindness, not mere intellectual limitation.

Means of Acquisition

1. Divine Bestowal: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
2. Instruction in Torah: “Take to heart all the words I testify to you today… so that you may teach them to your children” (Deuteronomy 32:46).
3. Prayerful Request: Solomon pleads, “Give me wisdom and knowledge” (2 Chronicles 1:10).
4. Observant Reflection: “Go to the ant, O sluggard, consider its ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).

Consequences of Rejecting Knowledge

To refuse God’s revealed truth brings darkness (Proverbs 2:13), stubbornness (Jeremiah 9:6), and exile (Isaiah 5:13). Social disorder follows: “By a people without understanding they will be brought to ruin” (Hosea 4:14). The prophetic hope therefore includes a restoration of knowledge alongside justice and peace (Isaiah 11:9).

Eschatological Promise of Universal Knowledge

“They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). Jeremiah anticipates the new covenant: “No longer will each teach his neighbor… ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me” (Jeremiah 31:34). The ultimate fulfillment centers on the Messiah, in whom “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

Ministry Implications

• Preaching must present both doctrinal accuracy and a summons to relational fidelity.
• Discipleship should aim for experiential knowledge—truth lived out in obedient love.
• Intercessory prayer mirrors Solomon’s request, pleading that leaders be granted knowledge for just governance.
• Missions and education flow from the future vision of an earth saturated with the knowledge of the LORD.

Summary

דַּעַת unites mind and heart, information and allegiance. It exposes sin, forms character, guides society, and anticipates the day when God’s glory will be universally known.

בְּ֭דַעְתּוֹ בְּדַעְתּ֗וֹ בְדַ֣עַת בְדָ֑עַת בדעת בדעתו דַ֔עַת דַ֙עַת֙ דַ֝֗עַת דַ֣עַת דַ֥עַת דַּ֔עַת דַּ֖עַת דַּ֙עַת֙ דַּ֚עַת דַּ֜עַת דַּ֝֗עַת דַּ֣עַת דַּ֥עַת דַּ֭עְתְּךָ דַֽעַת־ דָ֑עַת דָ֥עַת דָּ֑עַת דָּֽעַת׃ דָֽעַת׃ דעת דעת־ דעת׃ דעתך הַדַּ֔עַת הַדַּ֖עַת הַדַּ֙עַת֙ הַדַּ֣עַת הַדַּ֥עַת הַדָּ֑עַת הַדָּֽעַת׃ הדעת הדעת׃ וְ֝דַ֗עַת וְדַ֖עַת וְדַ֣עַת וְדַ֥עַת וְדַעְתֵּ֖ךְ וְדַעְתָּ֥ם וְלָדַ֙עַת֙ וָדַ֣עַת וָדָ֑עַת וָדָֽעַת׃ וּ֝בְדַ֗עַת וּ֭בְדַעַת וּבְדַ֖עַת ובדעת ודעת ודעת׃ ודעתך ודעתם ולדעת כְּֽ֭דַעְתְּכֶם כדעתכם לְדַעְתִּֽי׃ לדעתי׃ מִדַּ֔עַת מִדַּעְתִּ֕י מדעת מדעתי bə·ḏa‘·tōw ḇə·ḏa·‘aṯ ḇə·ḏā·‘aṯ ḇəḏa‘aṯ ḇəḏā‘aṯ bəḏa‘tōw bedato da‘·tə·ḵā da‘aṯ dā‘aṯ ḏa‘aṯ ḏā‘aṯ ḏa‘aṯ- da‘təḵā da·‘aṯ dā·‘aṯ ḏa·‘aṯ ḏā·‘aṯ ḏa·‘aṯ- Daat Datecha had·da·‘aṯ had·dā·‘aṯ hadda‘aṯ haddā‘aṯ hadDaat kə·ḏa‘·tə·ḵem kəḏa‘təḵem Kedatechem lə·ḏa‘·tî ləḏa‘tî ledaTi mid·da‘·tî mid·da·‘aṯ midda‘aṯ midda‘tî midDaat middaTi ū·ḇə·ḏa·‘aṯ ūḇəḏa‘aṯ uveDaat vaDaat veDaat vedaTam vedaTech velaDaat wā·ḏa·‘aṯ wā·ḏā·‘aṯ wāḏa‘aṯ wāḏā‘aṯ wə·ḏa‘·tām wə·ḏa‘·têḵ wə·ḏa·‘aṯ wə·lā·ḏa·‘aṯ wəḏa‘aṯ wəḏa‘tām wəḏa‘têḵ wəlāḏa‘aṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts