Greek word · Strong's G1097

γινώσκω

ginṓskō · verb · “to know (by experience)”

In a sentence

Ginōskō means to know by experience — to come to know, to perceive. «Eternal life is this: that they know (ginōskō) you, the only true God.»

Ginōskō is to know experientially, relationally. John 17:3 makes it the heart of eternal life: «this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.»

The verb sometimes carries Old Testament overtones — to «know» a spouse, or for God to «know» his people. Christianity is at its core a relational knowing.

Strong's reference

Definition: to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

KJV usage: allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.