Know: Ordinary Meaning, Biblical Sexual Euphemism, and Usage

Examples include:

• I know the answer.
• She knows him from work.
• They knew the city well.

In older sexual language, to know someone may mean to have sex with that person.

For example:

• An older religious text may say that a manknew his wife.
• In that context, knew means that they had sexual relations.

Modern speakers rarely use know this way in ordinary conversation.

Its main forms are:

• know;
• knows;
• knew;
• known;
• knowing.

Examples include:

• I know her name.
• He knows the truth.
• They knew each other for years.
• She has known him since childhood.

In the archaic sexual meaning, the verb normally takes a person as its object:

• a man knew his wife;
• he had known no woman;
• she was known by a man.

These constructions may sound unusual or unclear to modern readers.

• possessing information;
• recognizing a person;
• being familiar with a place;
• understanding a fact;
• having experience with something.

Examples include:

• Do you know her?
• I know what happened.
• They know the neighborhood well.
• She knows how to swim.

None of these sentences is sexual.

Instead of describing sex directly, a text might say:

• he knew his wife;
• she had not known a man;
• they came to know each other as husband and wife.

This euphemistic meaning connects sexual relations with personal, marital, or intimate knowledge.

However, the phrase may obscure the exact act and should not be used when precision is important.

The adjective carnally refers to the body, physical desire, or sexual activity.

Examples include:

• The historical text stated that he had known her carnally.
• The phrase know carnally is old-fashioned and formal.

Modern alternatives include:

• have sex with;
• have sexual intercourse with;
• engage in sexual relations with.

Historically, some legal systems used the phrase in laws concerning:

• rape;
• unlawful intercourse;
• age of consent;
• sexual abuse;
• marital relations.

The wording may vary by jurisdiction and period. In modern legal discussion, more specific terms are generally clearer.

Know is indirect and archaic when used sexually.

Compare:

• He knew his wife.
• He had sex with his wife.

The first sentence may appear in an older religious translation. The second is immediately clear to modern readers.

The sexual meaning of know may be missed unless the historical or biblical context is obvious.

To be intimate with someone may refer to emotional closeness, physicalaffection, or sexual activity.

Compare:

• I know her well.
• I am emotionally intimate with her.
• The old text said that he knew her sexually.

Knowing someone socially does not mean having a sexual relationship with them.

In some translations, the expression may describe:

• marital intercourse;
• conception;
• virginity;
• sexual relations;
• sexual violence.

Readers must examine the full context carefully. A single use of know does not automatically carry a sexual meaning.

Modern translations often use clearer expressions such as had sexual relations with.

Such wording may emphasize:

• personal union;
• marital intimacy;
• bodily knowledge;
• social modesty;
• avoidance of explicit language.

However, euphemistic translation may also make difficult passages involving coercion or assault less clear.

Consensual sexual activity requires:

• voluntary agreement;
• specific consent;
• continuing willingness;
• freedom from force or pressure;
• capacity to consent.

A text may use know for both consensual and nonconsensual sexual situations. Readers should not assume that the euphemism itself indicates mutual agreement.

When discussing sexual assault, coercion, or abuse, direct language is more appropriate.

A healthcare professional may need to know:

• whether penetration occurred;
• which sexual act occurred;
• whether protection was used;
• whether pregnancy was possible;
• whether STI exposure occurred;
• whether consent was present.

Saying only that one person “knew” another does not provide enough information.

Today, the sexual meaning is mainly encountered in:

• scripture;
• older translations;
• historical novels;
• religious commentary;
• legal history;
• literary analysis.

Using it in ordinary conversation may sound humorous, confusing, extremely formal, or deliberately biblical.

Every biblical use of know is sexual.
Most uses are not sexual; context determines the meaning.

Knowing someone well means being sexually involved.
Social or emotional familiarity does not imply sex.

Know carnally is common modern speech.
It is old-fashioned and uncommon outside historical, religious, or legal contexts.

The sexual use of know proves consent.
The euphemism does not show whether the activity was consensual.

Carnal knowledge always has the same legal definition.
Its meaning may differ across jurisdictions and historical periods.

1. Know usually means to understand, recognize, or be familiar with something.
2. In older biblical language, know may mean to have sexual relations.
3. Does know always carry a sexual meaning in religious texts?
4. The phrase “he knew his wife” may refer to sexual intercourse.
5. Modern readers may misunderstand know when it is used as an archaic sexual euphemism.
6. To know someone socially does not mean to have sex with that person.
7. The expression know carnally is formal and old-fashioned.
8. A text that uses know sexually may still require careful analysis of consent.
9. Medical writers should not use know when precise sexual information is needed.
10. Accurate discussion of know should distinguish ordinary familiarity from its historical sexual meaning.

The sexual sense is now rare and may be unclear to modern readers. It also does not specify the sexual act, health risks, relationship context, or whether consent was present.

Accurate sexuality education explains this older usage while encouraging direct modern language. Clear wording is especially important when discussing consent, pregnancy, STI exposure, coercion, or sexual violence.