How many times is knowledge mentioned in the Bible?
The word knowledge appears 172 times in the King James Version, in 169 verses. It is found in 35 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses knowledge 163 times.
Knowledge in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of knowledge counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| knowledge | 172 | 163 |
| Total | 172 | 163 |
Which books mention knowledge most
Knowledge appears in 35 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Proverbs has the most (42), then Isaiah (14) and Job (13).
Also in: Colossians (4), Genesis (2), Exodus (2), Leviticus (2), Numbers (2), Ruth (2), 1 Samuel (2), Luke (2), Philippians (2), Deuteronomy (1), 1 Kings (1), Nehemiah (1), Habakkuk (1), Malachi (1), Matthew (1), 1 Timothy (1), 2 Timothy (1), Hebrews (1), James (1), 1 Peter (1).
First and last mention of knowledge
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The verse that uses it most is Proverbs 18:15, 2 times (tied with Hosea 4:6, 1 Corinthians 8:1):
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Where the two translations differ
20 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 11 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Leviticus 4:23: counted in the KJV only
Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish:
if his sin, in which he has sinned, is made known to him, he shall bring as his offering a goat, a male without defect.
Leviticus 4:28: counted in the KJV only
Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.
if his sin, which he has sinned, is made known to him, then he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without defect, for his sin which he has sinned.
Job 26:3: counted in the World English Bible only
How hast thou counseled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
How have you counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!
Job 34:25: counted in the World English Bible only
Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Verses with knowledge on our topic pages
31 verses that use knowledge in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
On: Obedience, Spiritual Warfare, Mental Health, What Does the Bible Say About Pornography? 28 Verses
Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
On: Tattoos, Self Control, Relationships, What Does the Bible Say About Gluttony? 26 Verses
and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control perseverance; and in perseverance godliness;
On: Tattoos, Self Control, Relationships, What Does the Bible Say About Gluttony? 26 Verses
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
On: Marriage, What Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues? 22 Verses, Bible Verses for a Wedding
and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,
On: What Does the Bible Say About Lying? 28 Verses, Change, Bible Verses for the New Year
You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Out of the ground Yahweh God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
On: Nature
Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
On: Nature
For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
On: Wisdom
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
On: Wisdom
Common questions
How many times is knowledge in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 120 of the 172 uses are in the Old Testament and 52 in the New Testament. Knowledge appears in 35 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Proverbs has the most (42), then Isaiah (14) and Job (13).
Where is knowledge first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Genesis 2:9: "And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil." The last is 2 Peter 3:18.
More word counts: tears, mourning, Zebedee, Heshbon, Nun, Hananiah, Jehoram, Elkanah, or all 635 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-24.