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אִיתַי

𐤀𐤉𐤕𐤉

ʼîythay

H383 particle

SILEX Entry

Root אית to exist, to be present

Definition

A particle indicating existence or presence; primarily used to assert the existence or availability of something or someone in a given situation ('there is,' 'there are'). In questions or negative clauses, it can indicate the absence or nonexistence of a person or thing ('is there?,' 'are there not?'). Functions as an existential marker within a clause rather than a substantive noun.

Semantic Range

to exist, to be, there is/are, to be present, is there?, are there?, to have, mark of existential presence

Root / Etymology

Related to the Aramaic root אית (ʼyt), also reflected in Hebrew יֵשׁ (yesh), both carrying the core notion of 'being' or 'existence.' אִיתַי (ʼîythay) is likely an Aramaic dialectal form developed from this root. Not directly related to the root היה (h-y-h), which means 'to be' in Hebrew (cf. 'hayah').

Historical & Contextual Notes

אִיתַי (ʼîythay) is an Aramaic existential particle; it appears only in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel, Ezra). Its usage closely parallels that of Hebrew יֵשׁ (yesh), but is distinctive for the Aramaic linguistic context. It is primarily found in post-exilic texts, reflecting influence from the imperial use of Aramaic as a lingua franca. While English translations often render this as 'there is,' 'are there,' or 'do ye have,' these do not fully capture its role as a specialized grammatical marker of existence. The term does not appear in narrative Hebrew but is specific to the official Aramaic style used in late biblical texts. In later Aramaic, similar forms persist as basic markers of existential predication. Care should be taken not to confuse it with the personal name אִיתַי (Ittai), a distinct etymology. In rabbinic texts, Aramaic forms derived from this root continue to function in similar existential expressions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to יֵשׁ; properly, entity; used only as aparticle of affirmation, there is; art thou, can, do ye, have, it be, there is (are), [idiom] we will not.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אית (ʾ-y-t) — existence, presence, being

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H383-04 אִיתַ֤י itay ATa there is there is 12
H383-05 אִֽיתֵי/כוֹן֙ iteykhon ATa/Sp2mp are-of-you there is for you 2
H383-01 הַֽ/אִיתָ֣/ךְ haitakhe ATi/Ta/Sp2ms is it with you exists with you 1
H383-03 אִיתַ֣/נָא itana ATa/Sp1cp we are there is to us 1
H383-02 ה/איתי/ך hytykh ATi/Ta/Sp2ms is it with you exists with you 1
H383-06 אִיתֽוֹ/הִי itohi ATa/Sp3ms there-is-it there is it 1
H383-07 איתי/נא ytyn ATa/Sp1cp we are there is to us 1

Occurrences in Scripture

19 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H383-04 Daniel 2:10 אִיתַ֤י itay ATa there is there is
H383-04 Daniel 2:11 אִיתַ֔י itay ATa there-is there is
H383-06 Daniel 2:11 אִיתֽוֹ/הִי itohi ATa/Sp3ms there-is-it there is it
H383-02 Daniel 2:26 ה/איתי/ך hytykh ATi/Ta/Sp2ms is it with you exists with you
H383-01 Daniel 2:26 הַֽ/אִיתָ֣/ךְ haitakhe ATi/Ta/Sp2ms is it with you exists with you
H383-04 Daniel 2:28 אִיתַ֞י itay ATa there is there is
H383-04 Daniel 2:30 אִיתַ֥י itay ATa there is there is
H383-04 Daniel 3:12 אִיתַ֞י itay ATa There are there is
H383-05 Daniel 3:14 אִֽיתֵי/כוֹן֙ iteykhon ATa/Sp2mp are-of-you there is for you
H383-05 Daniel 3:15 אִֽיתֵי/כ֣וֹן iteykhon ATa/Sp2mp you are there is for you
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