Word Study for G2467 (ἴσημι) | Strong's Concordance

ísēmi /is'-ay-mee/ Ask about this word

Meaningassumed by some as the base of certain irregular forms of εἴδω; to know

KJV usageknow.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ísēmi — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ísēmi, represented by G2467, is assumed to be a base verb meaning to know. Although it only appears 2 times in 2 unique verses, its usage points to a type of knowledge that is established and commonly held, serving as a foundation for an argument or testimony.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, G2467 establishes a known fact as a point of reference. In his defense before Agrippa, Paul states that his "manner of life from my youth... know all the Jews" Acts 26:4. This appeal to shared knowledge sets the stage for his testimony of conversion. Similarly, the author of Hebrews uses it as a solemn warning, reminding the readers of a known story: "For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected" Hebrews 12:17. In both cases, the word refers to an awareness of past events or character that is beyond dispute.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which G2467 is used:

G981 bíōsis (manner of life): This is what the Jews were said to know about Paul. It refers to his living and mode of conduct before his conversion Acts 26:4.
G2816 klēronoméō (to be an heir to, inherit): This word describes what Esau desired to do but could not. The knowledge of his failure to inherit the blessing serves as a key lesson in the Hebrews passage Hebrews 12:17.
G593 apodokimázō (to disapprove, repudiate): This term describes Esau's fate; he was rejected. The audience's knowledge of this rejection is central to the warning being given Hebrews 12:17.
G3341 metánoia (repentance): This is what Esau could not find a place for, a fact the readers are expected to know as a sobering truth Hebrews 12:17.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2467 is found in its function as a foundation for truth and warning.

Knowledge as Testimony: In Acts, Paul's appeal to what the Jews know about his former manner of life G981 validates the radical nature of his transformation. The undisputed knowledge of his past makes the testimony of his new life in Christ more powerful Acts 26:4.
Knowledge as a Sobering Reminder: In Hebrews, knowledge of Esau's irreversible consequence is not trivial. It is a shared understanding used to exhort believers to diligence, reminding them that some choices have permanent outcomes and that being rejected G593 is a real danger Hebrews 12:17.

Summary

In summary, while appearing rarely, G2467 is a potent word for know. It is used not for abstract concepts, but for established, shared knowledge of a person's life or a critical historical event. Whether establishing the factual basis for a personal testimony or issuing a grave warning based on past failures, ísēmi underscores a knowledge that is meant to be acknowledged and acted upon.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Perfect Active Imperative 2nd Plural 1×
Perfect Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
Perfect Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts and Hebrews (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

Acts

Hebrews

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.