To acknowledge someone or something is more than just to know. Know is the middle of the word with the prefix ac and the suffix ledge. Ac adds direction toward what we know. Ledge denotes action or practice.
Picture your heart as the storehouse of the knowledge of God; your mind as the prefix of what you know, leaning forward, striving toward the knowledge He has given from His Word; His Spirit leading you to act upon and practice what you know ~ hands and feet in response to the blessings of knowing Him.
The Old Testament H3045
Defines the word acknowledge yada (yä·dah’)
A primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great
variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially
(including observation, care, recognition; and causativelyinstruction,
designation, punishment, etc.):—acknowledge, acquaintance (-ted with), advise,
answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, [un-] awares, can [-not], certainly, for a
certainty, comprehend, consider,
The same Hebrew word is used for “know, knowledge, discern, perceive, respect.”
All references to acknowledge are here.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:6
We are to acknowledge Him in all our ways and in our relationship with Him acknowledge our sin.
“I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:5
“acknowledge thine iniquity” (Jeremiah 3:13). “acknowledge our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers” (Jeremiah 14:20).
“I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” Hosea 5:15
“Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.” Jeremiah 24:5
“Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.” Isaiah 33:13
The New Testament G1921
Defines the word acknowledge epignōsis (e-pē’-gnō-sēs)
From G1909 and G1097; recognition, e.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement:—(ac-) knowledge (-ing, – ment): perceive.
“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 14:37
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;” Colossians 2:2
“Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:23
Dear Heavenly Father, We acknowledge our sin before you, in the promise of your forgiveness through the sacrifice of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We seek your face, even as we understand the affliction that we must endure because of our offenses toward you. We acknowledge your might as you acknowledge us in our captivity. We thank you for the wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ, and acknowledge Him as our only means of reconciliation with you. Continue to direct our paths. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God's Grace ~ God's Glory! 
Great word study, Fran! It’s interesting to me that the Hebrew word transliterated ‘yada’ carries with it a connotation of intimate knowledge. With that in mind, when I say to the Lord that I know my sins, it’s almost an admission of being bare before Him. Nothing held back and nothing hidden even from myself. It’s an understanding that even if I try to hide my sin from Him, He knows it thoroughly and intimately anyway.
I’ve been thinking of this particular verbal root lately, so this was well-timed for me. God bless!
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Heather, thank you for you comments; glad that the Lord is working in both our hearts and lives. Praise Him for working in others even as He is working in us to acknowledge Him and our sins before Him. Blessings!
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Amen!
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Excellent post Frances. I’ve always thought of knowledge as an awareness or self realization of a reality that I agree with or have come to acknowledge as divine truth. What God tells me about myself and Him in His Word is truth. Wisdom is the ability to put that knowledge into God willed action that is in step with God’s will. There is a big distance between knowledge and wisdom. Knowing something does not in itself necessitate that we have the wisdom to effectively and consistently use our knowledge to follow God’s will. Wisdom is kind of like the practical application of knowledge. That’s where God continually stretches our faith in Him by drawing us into the application aspect and this encompasses so many different areas of our lives. Example: I may know that God does not want us to speak unkindly about others who may not display all the attributes one would expect to find in a mature adult, yet it boggles my mind how difficult this can be, even when I am mindful of this directive. Knowledge is good and absolutely required but wisdom to use that knowledge is where God takes us. “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do” comes to mind. Once the door to knowledge is opened we very quickly come to the realization that our need to be in Christ is total, and even if we lived for a thousand years, the renewing of our hearts and minds takes a long long time to accomplish while we are in the flesh, just like the Law demonstrates. I look forward to being completed in Him when I see Jesus face to face. Sorry for the long response. Grace and blessings!
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