τουτέστι
toutésti
G5123
SILEX Entry
Definition
Compound particle meaning 'that is to say,' used to clarify or explain what precedes, often introducing an explicit restatement, explanation, or gloss—'that is,' 'namely,' 'which means.' Functions as a marker for rephrasing or further specification.
Semantic Range
that is to say, namely, which is to say, that is, i.e., introducing explanation or clarification
Root / Etymology
Composed of the neuter demonstrative pronoun τοῦτο ('this') and the 3rd person singular present active of εἰμί ('to be'), ἐστί. The form is a contracted idiomatic phrase meaning 'this is.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
τουτέστι appears in Koine and later Greek as a set phrase introducing clarifications, definitions, or explanatory equivalents. Attested from at least Hellenistic Greek and commonly used in the Septuagint and New Testament for explanatory glosses, especially where a non-Greek term or concept is followed by its explanation in Greek. Unlike simply saying 'that is,' τουτέστι functions almost as an adverbial particle, analogous to Latin id est (i.e.). Standard English translations often render it as 'that is' or 'namely,' but this does not always capture the implicit function as a formal gloss marker. In LXX and NT, sometimes followed by ὅ (τουτέστιν ὅ ...), making the explanatory linkage explicit. Rare in classical Greek—its idiomatic and frequent use is a feature of Koine and post-classical usage, especially in explanatory or exegetical contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
contraction for τοῦτο and ἐστί; that is:--that is (to say).
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.