Care to point out the difference from a biblical perspective Z?
Yes Sh we can. Often what people look at is the biblical use of the word...to know. In the dictionary the first 5 definitions read like this;
To perceive with certainty; to understand clearly; to have a clear and certain perception of truth, fact, or any thing that actually exists. To know a thing pre
1.includes all doubt or uncertainty of its existence. We know what we see with our eyes, or perceive by other senses. We know that fire and water are different substances. We know that truth and falsehood express ideas incompatible with each other. We know that a circle is not a square. We do not know the truth of reports, nor can we always know what to believe.
2. To be informed of; to be taught. It is not unusual for us to say we know things from information, when we rely on the veracity of the informer.
3. To distinguish; as, to know one man from another. We know a fixed star from a planet by its twinkling.
4. To recognize by recollection, remembrance, representation or description. We do not always know a person after a long absence. We sometimes know a man by having seen his portrait, or having heard him described.
5. To be no stranger to; to be familiar. This man is well known to us.
But then it says this;
6.6. In scripture, to have sexual commerce with. Genesis 4:1.
Webster was a professed Christian, so he had some biblical background.
So, you look at how the bible uses the word...it speaks of an intimate knowledge of people, particularly The sexual intimacy and closeness of the marriage bed. Observe;
Gen4: And Adam ....knew... Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
17 And Cain... knew... his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch
25 And Adam knew his wife again and she bare a son,
In the N.T. Mt1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew..... her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
All of these Husbands did not forget who their wives were...To know, to know again spoke of an intimate knowledge of the person.
So in Romans 8:29 ..For Whom He Did....Foreknow......enter into a loving relationship with, an intimate knowledge of. He also did Predestinate...Do you see it? God has a general knowledge of all men, all things because He is Omniscient.. He knows everything.
So this is not redundant, but rather an intentional Covenant Knowledge of all the children God the Father has given to the Son;
Heb.2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
Think it through...hope it helps!