# know someone in the biblical sense

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/know-someone-in-the-biblical-sense
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To have sex with someone.

## Examples

- They have known each other in the biblical sense for years.
- The gossip column hinted that the two actors had known each other in the biblical sense during the filming of their latest movie.
- The historical text suggests that the king had known the queen in the biblical sense long before their official marriage ceremony took place.

## Origin

From the use of know in the Bible. Some Bible translations, such as the King James Version, translate the Hebrew word יָדַע (yādaʿ) as know even in sexual contexts, giving rise to lines like “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived.”

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.