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דִּי

𐤃𐤉

dîy

H1768 particle

SILEX Entry

Root דא to point out, to indicate, to demonstrate

Definition

A relative particle introducing clauses that specify, define, or clarify a noun or previous statement; typically translated as 'that,' 'which,' 'who,' 'whom,' or 'whose.' Also used as a marker of various adverbial phrases, often corresponding to English prepositional constructions like 'of,' 'for,' or 'from.' Functions as both a relative and a conjunction, and sometimes as a subordinating particle in complex sentences.

Semantic Range

that, which, who, whom, of, whose, for, because, as, than, when, until, introducing relative clauses, introducing adverbial phrases, marker of genitival relationships, subordinating conjunction

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Aramaic root דָּא (deictic or demonstrative origin), with affinity to demonstratives meaning 'this' or 'that.' In grammaticalization, the element functions as a relative particle with expanded syntactical roles, distinct from but related to Hebrew אשר (asher) and שֶׁ (she).

Historical & Contextual Notes

דִּי appears primarily in the Aramaic sections of biblical texts (e.g., Daniel, Ezra). It serves as the standard relative particle in Imperial Aramaic, where Hebrew would use אשר (asher) or שֶׁ (she). It marks relative, objective, possessive, and adverbial relationships depending on context. Its use illustrates syntactic differences between Aramaic and Hebrew; while אשר might introduce a relative clause in Hebrew, Aramaic uses דִּי for a wider range of relational and explanatory connections, often encompassing genitival (possessive) relationships as well. In idiomatic contexts, דִּי can function similarly to prepositions (e.g., 'of,' 'for'), particularly when combined with prepositions or nouns to form adverbial phrases ('forasmuch as,' 'in the manner that,' etc.). English translations render it variably, often not fully capturing its syntactic breadth in Aramaic. The particle was stable in post-exilic Aramaic and in later Jewish Aramaic dialects, where its usage as a relative marker remained.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) apparently for דָּא; that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of; [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דא (d-ʾ) — pointing out, indicating, demonstrating

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1668 דָּא to this

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1768-03 דִּֽי di ATr that that-which 329
H1768-08 וְ/דִֽי vedi AC/C and whom and that-which 10
H1768-05 כְּ/דִ֣י kedi AR/Tr when as indicated 3
H1768-02 ד/הוא dhv ATr/Ta that is that which 1
H1768-04 די dy AC that that-which 1
H1768-01 דֵּ֥י dey ATr that sufficiency of 1
H1768-07 וּ/כְ/דִי֙ ukhedi AC/C/C but when and as that which 1
H1768-06 כְ/דִ֣י khedi AC/C as-that as that-which 1

Occurrences in Scripture

347 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1768-03 Jeremiah 10:11 דִּֽי di ATr that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:8 דִּ֥י di ATr that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:8 דִּ֣י di-2 AC that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:8 דִּ֥י di-3 ATr that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:9 דִּ֣י di ATr that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:9 דִּ֥י di-2 ATr that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:9 דִּ֥י di-3 ATr that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:10 דִּ֚י di ATr that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:10 דִּ֚י di-2 AC that that-which
H1768-03 Daniel 2:11 דִֽי di ATr that that-which
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