[Greek] ἀγνοέω (agnoeō), [Latin] ignorare, [Latin] ignorantes, [Latin] ignoramus, [Latin] ignotus: to not know, to ignore, to be ignorant, to pay no attention to, to be unaware, unknown; Mk.9:32, Lk.9:45, Acts 13:27, Rom.1:13, Rom.2:4, Rom.6:3, Rom.7:1, Rom.10:3, Rom.11:25, 1Cor.10:1, 1Cor.12;1, 1Cor.14:38, 2Cor.1:8, 2Cor.2:11, 2Cor.6:9, Gal.1:22, 1Thess.4:13, 1Tim.1:13, Heb.5:2, 2Pet.2:
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to be mistaken, to fail to know, to not recognize, to not know what to do, to do nothing, to fail to understand, unknown, to go wrong (make a false step), and to be ignorant.
Polybius’ Histories 38.95: “Being incapable of taking thought for the future.”
Homer’s Odyssey 24.218: “Will fail to know me.”
Plato’s Phaedrus 228A: “I have forgotten myself.”
Sophocles’ Trachinae 78: “I know nothing of them.”
Aeschylus’ Eumenides 134: “Do not ignore my misery.”
Homer’s Iliad 2.807: “Failed to know the vote of the goddess.”
Plato’s Symposium 216d: “He is utterly stupid and ignorant.”
Plato’s Euthyphro 4a: “Do not know where the right lives.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 4.156: “They were ignorant of the cause of their misfortune.”
Plato’s Phaedrus 277d: “Ignorance or right or wrong and good and bad is in truth inevitably a disgrace.”
Plato’s Gorgias 517c: “For during all the time that we have been debating, we have never ceases circling around to the same point and misunderstanding each other.”
Old Testament: This term means to be ignorant, to not know, unknown, to be wrong, to err through mistake, to trespass, and to be foolish. Not knowing can mean being mistaken, in error, ignorance of God, ignorance of oneself, and rejection of God. And those who hate the righteous will be condemned. This term often pertains to one’s relationship to God. And those who hate the righteous will be condemned (Psa.34:21). They are foolish; for they do not know the way of the Lord (Jer.5:4). For You have dealt faithfully, but we have acted wickedly (Neh.9:33). Before I was afflicted I went astray (Job 12:16). And you will stray from the words of knowledge (Pro.1:27)
New Testament: This term means not understanding (ignorant), not acknowledging (recognizing), unaware, and unknown. The disciples did not understand what Jesus meant when He said He will be handed over to men, will be killed, and will rise from the dead. The Jews failed to recognize that He would be condemned, fulfilling prophecy. Paul, appealing to the Athenians’ religiosity, mentioned that they worship an unknown God. Paul, previously known as the Pharasaic persecutor of Christians, is personally unknown by the Judean Christian churches. Paul frequently made efforts to make his congregation not be unaware of important issues.
Notable scriptures:
Mk.9:32: The disciples did not understand that the Son of Man is to be handed over, to be killed, and will be risen
Acts 17:23: The Greeks unknowingly worshiped an Unknown God.
Acts 13:27: The inhabitants of Jerusalem fail to recognize Him.
2Cor.6:9: The Christians are treated as deceivers and yet are faithful.
Gal.1:22: Paul was personally unknown of the Church of Judea.
1Tim.1:13: Paul, a former Pharasaic persecutor, acted of his ignorance in his unbelief.
2Pet.2:12: False teachers revile things that they do not understand.
Conclusion:
Ignorance, ignorance, ignore, agnostic, ignoramus, ignoble, ignomy
In Greek Hellenism, it was interesting to understand the varied and nuanced meanings of this term. These meanings could be applicable to any point in history in terms of human behavior. Polybius makes reference to being short-sighted about the future. Homer and Plato make reference to failing to understand each other. Plato makes reference to failing to understand what is right (or wrong). Plato points out that we often forget ourselves (and what we stand for). Herodotus makes reference to one being ignorant of the cause of their misfortunes. (This certainly can be applicable to our current times.)
In the Old Testament, this term is greatly defined by one’s relationship with God. This behavior can involve going astray, being guilty, trespassing, being foolish, and misunderstanding.
In the New Testament, this term conveys many aspects of misunderstanding, not acknowledging, and being unaware. The disciples, not understanding Jesus’ path or mission, were often clueless and afraid. False teachers revile things that they do not understand. The Athenians, although pagan, instinctively have the desire to find the source of creation. I wanted you to be aware that Paul quite frequently wanted to let his congregations not be unaware of important issues. (I couldn’t resist saying this!). The Corinthians were often unaware of the problems (abuses) with spiritual tongues and liturgy issues.
It now seems to be currently and politically expedient to criticize or disassociate oneself with President Trump (“I don’t know him anymore.”–sound familiar?). However, one should not fail to understand or underestimate the deep connection and affinity that President Trump has with the American people.
I did not want to ignore George Ruggle’s play Ignoramus. “Ignoramus”, a legal term, means “we are ignorant” or “we do not know.” I bet you did not know this!
It is also important that we do not forget or be unaware (ignorant) of what is happening right now in our country!