What does "past knowing" mean?

Question

They knew too, "in ways past knowing," where Mr. Frodo was off to, and what it might mean.Can you tell me what the part in quotes means?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Any guesses?

Blue Jay · Answer

I would take it to mean that they had ways of knowing which other people would not understand or know about.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

AnonymousThey knew too, "in ways past knowing,"

They were supernatural creatures, and could "know" by means of magic or extrasensory perception.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for the answers. So, does "past knowing" always suggest magic or extrasensory perception?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

It is an unusual phrase from a science fiction novel where there was a lot of magic.
Other contexts may suggest something different.

Top answer