Definition:
The term "heart-knowing" refers to the divine attribute of God whereby He possesses complete and perfect knowledge of the human heart. This concept underscores God's omniscience, particularly His ability to discern the innermost thoughts, intentions, and desires of individuals. In the biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect.

Biblical References:
The Bible frequently emphasizes God's unique ability to know the heart, distinguishing Him from humans who can only judge by outward appearances. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the LORD tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This passage highlights the distinction between human judgment and divine insight.

In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates this divine attribute. In John 2:24-25, it is written, "But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men. He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man." This passage illustrates Jesus' ability to perceive the true nature of individuals beyond their external actions or words.

Theological Significance:
The concept of heart-knowing is central to understanding God's relationship with humanity. It affirms that God is not deceived by outward appearances or superficial acts of piety. Instead, He evaluates the sincerity and authenticity of one's faith and devotion. This divine attribute calls believers to cultivate a genuine and heartfelt relationship with God, knowing that He is aware of their true spiritual condition.

In Jeremiah 17:9-10, the prophet declares, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind, to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve." This passage underscores the deceitfulness of the human heart and the necessity of divine examination to reveal its true state.

Practical Implications:
For believers, the awareness of God's heart-knowing nature serves as both a comfort and a challenge. It is comforting to know that God understands our struggles, fears, and desires even when we cannot articulate them. Psalm 139:1-2 expresses this assurance: "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar."

Conversely, the knowledge that God sees the heart challenges believers to live with integrity and authenticity. Hypocrisy and hidden sin are futile before a God who knows all. Hebrews 4:12-13 reminds us, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

Conclusion:
The biblical teaching on heart-knowing invites believers to a deeper, more sincere walk with God, encouraging them to seek purity of heart and to trust in God's perfect understanding of their innermost being.

I Believe that I have Now Set Forth, Briefly Indeed...
... For she is holy, alike in body and in spirit, who sins neither in mind nor heart,
knowing that God is one who examines also the heart; and, therefore, she ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xi i believe that.htm

The Inward Laws
... Let his words, therefore, encourage you to 'enter with boldness', to 'draw near
with a true heart', a heart knowing its need, but believing the promises of God ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xviii the inward laws.htm

Condemnation of the Ignorant.
... judgment, is already judged as knowing, for he knew what he will not hear; so that
imagination avails nothing as an apology in presence of the heart-knowing God ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xiii condemnation of the ignorant.htm

The Bread of God
... Only he who absolutely trusted God to provide for him would eat up his portion,
and lie down at night with a quiet heart, knowing that He who had fed him would ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

Humility.
... clothes, a new bonnet, or a new gown, in the highest fashion, and she sails into
church with her chin in the air, and a flutter in her heart, knowing that all ...
/.../baring-gould/the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/liv humility.htm

Petty Dishonesty.
... pleasers, but as though they were working for Christ, not as if they were doing
the will of man, but the will of God, from the heart, "Knowing that whatsoever ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlvi petty dishonesty.htm

Chapter seventeen
... of his little taste of the ocean breezes, thanked God for the joy he had witnessed,
and entered upon his discipleship with a humble heart, knowing for almost ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter seventeen.htm

Reclaiming a Church to Meet a New Age
... Knowing the special conditions which these young women must meet in a large city,
he applied grave thought and much energy to the study of their needs and to ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/reclaiming a church to meet.htm

Jesus and his Fellow Townsmen.
... from his own heart, he cries: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.' He calls to him every heart knowing its own ...
/.../macdonald/hope of the gospel/jesus and his fellow townsmen.htm

And Bring us not into Temptation but Deliver us from Evil
... Nor was it the beginning of evil in Cain where he slew his brother, for already
the heart-knowing God had little regard for Cain and his sacrifices. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xix and bring us.htm

Heart-knowing (1 Occurrence)
Heart-knowing. Heartily, Heart-knowing. Heartless . Multi-Version
Concordance Heart-knowing (1 Occurrence). Acts 15:8 ...
/h/heart-knowing.htm - 6k

Bore (221 Occurrences)
... them. (WEY RSV). Acts 15:8 And the heart-knowing God bore them witness, giving
them the Holy Spirit as to us also, (DBY WBS RSV). Acts ...
/b/bore.htm - 38k

Heartily (6 Occurrences)

/h/heartily.htm - 9k

Heartless (3 Occurrences)

/h/heartless.htm - 7k

What does it mean to guard your heart? | GotQuestions.org

Knowing Jesus vs. knowing about Jesus-what is the difference? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be contrite? What is contrition? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus