Lexical Summary di: that, which, who, because, for, when Original Word: דִּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance as, but, forasmuch, now, of, seeing, than, that, (Aramaic) apparently for da'; that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of -- X as, but, for(-asmuch +), + now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, + what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. see HEBREW da' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) a prim. particle Definition who, which, that, because NASB Translation after* (1), against (1), because (1), because* (5), before* (1), even (1), forasmuch* (1), inasmuch* (9), since (2), so (6), soon (1), soon* (1), surely* (1), than* (1), until* (11), what (1), what* (1), whatever* (2), when (3), where (1), where* (1), wherever* (1), which (46), who (34), whom (12), whom* (1), whomever (4), whomever* (3), whose (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs דִּי particle of relation, who, which, that, used also as mark of Genitive and conjunction that, because (Aramaic of Nineveh, Babylonian, Zinjirli, Nerab, Cilicia, Têma, Egypt, ןי (Lzb267. 446 RES361 S-CPap. A 2 +); Nabataean, Palmyrene די; ᵑ7 דְּ (except in compounds, as דִּילִי mine, דִּילֵיהּ his); Samaritan mark of the Genitive, Daniel 2:15 שׁליטא די מלכא properly the captain, that of the king = the king's captain (a Genuine Aramaic idiom: so ᵑ7 דְּ, Syriac conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8): a. that (quod), after verbs of knowing, Daniel 2:8,9, seeing Daniel 2:45; Daniel 3:27, hearing Daniel 5:14, etc.; introducing the subject of a sentence, יְדִיעַ ֗֗֗ דִּי ֗֗֗ Daniel 3:18; Ezra 4:13; Daniel 2:47 מִןקְֿשֹׁט דִּי ֗֗֗ True is it that . . . (compare אָמְנָם כִּי Job 12:2). b. = in that, inasmuch as, whereas: Daniel 2:41 and whereas (דִּי) thou sawest, etc. . . . it shall be adivided kingdom, Daniel 2:43; Daniel 4:20; Daniel 4:23; as a connecting link$ = seeing that, because, for (compare אֲשֶׁר 8c) Daniel 2:9,20b; Daniel 2:23b; Daniel 2:47b; Daniel 4:15; Daniel 6:24b. c. that (ut), after verbs of asking Daniel 2:16, commanding Daniel 3:10,29, expressing a purpose Daniel 4:3; Daniel 5:15; Ezra 4:15; Ezra 6:10 +; דִּי לָא that not (ne) Daniel 2:18; Daniel 3:28; Daniel 6:18 (on דִּי לְמָה lest Ezra 7:23, see מה). d. prefixed to direct narr. (like כִּי 1b, and sometimes אֲשֶׁר 8a γ, and ὅτι recitativum), Daniel 2:25 and said thus unto him דִּיהַֿשְׁכַּחַת (that) I have found, etc., Daniel 5:7; Daniel 6:6; Daniel 6:14. 4 with prepositions and other prefixes: a. כְּ דִי (like Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר; so Egyptian Aramaic כזי, Palmyrene, Nabataean כדי, Lzb293 SACG1 62, 63 Cooke369b RES:361; ᵑ7 כַּד, Syriac b. מִןדִּֿי: a. because that, Daniel 3:22; Ezra 5:12 (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Isaiah 43:4); b. from (the time) that, after (ex quo), Daniel 4:23; Ezra 4:23. c. עַד דִּי until, Daniel 2:9,34; Daniel 4:30; Daniel 7:22; = ere that Daniel 6:25. d. עַל דִּי Daniel 3:19 is not a conjunction, but means above that which ... e. for עַל דִּבְרַת דִּי and כָּלקֳֿבֵל דִּי see [ דִּבְרָה] and קֳבֵל. כְּ particle like, as, about (Biblical Hebrew כְּ, q. v.); — like, as Daniel 2:40 תַּקִּיפָא כְּפַרְוְלָא, Daniel 4:5; Daniel 4:32; Daniel 5:1 +; according to Daniel 4:32 וּכְּ מִצְבְּיֵהּ עָכֵד and according to his will he doeth, Ezra 6:9,18 +; about (as Biblical Hebrew 1a: compare Zinjirli Lzb444 [ן] כשלשן מלכ), Daniel 4:16 כְּשָׁעָה חֲדָה, Daniel 6:1; with infinitive (Biblical Hebrew 3b), Daniel 6:21 וּכְ מִקְרְנֵהּ לִגֻבָּא and as he drew near, etc. Cpds.: — כְּ דִי and כִּדְנָה, see דִּי and דָּאנה; כַּחֲדָה; together, see חַד (sub אחד). Topical Lexicon Linguistic Function and Semantic Range דִּי operates in Biblical Aramaic as the indispensable connective that links clauses, specifies relationships, marks possessive or causal ideas, and, when required, stands in for the definite article. Its versatility lets the sacred authors shape nuanced statements about God’s sovereignty, covenant faithfulness, and historical detail without losing clarity in the court-language of the ancient Near East. Distribution in the Canon Approximate occurrences: 346. This concentration in the exilic and post-exilic literature highlights God’s self-revelation in the international tongue of the time, ensuring His word reached both Jews and Gentiles under imperial rule. Historical Context of the Aramaic Portions Aramaic functioned as the diplomatic lingua franca from the Assyrian period through the Persian era. By weaving דִּי into court records and kingly decrees, Scripture authenticates its own historicity: it mirrors real administrative practice. Daniel confidently cites edicts (“The command that the wise men be executed” – Daniel 2:13) and dreams before pagan monarchs using the very legal and diplomatic phraseology they understood. Ezra records temple-funding legislation with the same precision, showing the Lord directing global politics so that “the house of God may be rebuilt” (Ezra 6:3). Key Theological Motifs Illustrated through דִּי 1. Divine Sovereignty over Empires Daniel 2:28 – “But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…” The clause built on דִּי roots the revelation squarely in God’s initiative, not Daniel’s wisdom. Jeremiah 10:11 – “The gods who did not make the heavens or the earth will perish…” The relative construction sets a sharp contrast between the living Creator and impotent idols. Ezra 7:23 – “Whatever the God of heaven has required, let it be done diligently for the house of the God of heaven.” By embedding covenant language in imperial correspondence, the text showcases Yahweh’s faithful provision even through foreign authority. Daniel 7:13 – “I saw One like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven…” The prophetic vision unfolds in Aramaic so that nations hear of the coming universal kingdom. Christological and Prophetic Implications The Aramaic sections that feature דִּי contain some of the clearest Old Testament foreshadowings of Messiah’s kingdom (Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14). The relative clauses knit historical events to future promises, highlighting continuity between present exile and coming redemption. Jesus’ self-designation “Son of Man” (Matthew 26:64) deliberately draws on the very Aramaic vision where דִּי facilitates the description of His everlasting dominion. Sample Passages • Daniel 3:28 – “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him.” In each, דִּי introduces the defining information—who God has delivered, what decree is sought—providing the narrative hinge. Ministry and Discipleship Significance 1. Cross-Cultural Witness: Just as Daniel and Ezra spoke God’s truth in the empire’s language, believers today carry Scripture’s unchanging message into every linguistic context. Connections to New Testament Revelation The narrative and legal frameworks shaped by דִּי anticipate the New Testament’s proclamation that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15). The linguistic bridge from Aramaic to Greek underscores Scripture’s unified testimony: one God orchestrating redemptive history, one Messiah reigning, one gospel proclaimed to all nations. Conclusion דִּי may be a small Aramaic particle, yet through it the Spirit breathed out decisive clauses that declare God’s sovereignty, accomplish His purposes in exile, and point forward to the universal reign of Christ. Its pervasive presence binds together decrees, visions, and testimonies, reminding readers that every word of Scripture—down to connective particles—is ordained to convey the eternal counsel of God. Forms and Transliterations דִ֥י דִּ֖י דִּ֗י דִּ֚י דִּ֛י דִּ֞י דִּ֠י דִּ֡י דִּ֣י דִּ֣י ׀ דִּ֤י דִּ֥י דִּ֧י דִּ֨י דִּֽי־ דִּי֩ דִּי־ דִֽי־ דִי֩ דִי־ דֵּ֥י דֶּהָיֵ֖א דהיא די די־ וְדִ֛י וְדִ֣י וְדִ֧י וְדִֽי־ וְדִי֙ וּכְדִי֙ ודי ודי־ וכדי כְּדִ֣י כְּדִ֧י כְּדִ֨י כְדִ֣י כדי cheDi dê de·hā·yê dehaYe dehāyê dei di dî ḏî dî- ḏî- kə·ḏî ḵə·ḏî keDi kəḏî ḵəḏî ū·ḵə·ḏî ucheDi ūḵəḏî veDi wə·ḏî wə·ḏî- wəḏî wəḏî-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:9 HEB: [דִּהוּא כ] (דֶּהָיֵ֖א ק) עֵלְמָיֵֽא׃ INT: the Babylonians the men forasmuch is the Elamites Ezra 4:10 Ezra 4:10 Ezra 4:11 Ezra 4:12 Ezra 4:12 Ezra 4:13 Ezra 4:14 Ezra 4:15 Ezra 4:15 Ezra 4:15 Ezra 4:16 Ezra 4:17 Ezra 4:18 Ezra 4:19 Ezra 4:23 Ezra 4:23 Ezra 4:24 Ezra 5:1 Ezra 5:2 Ezra 5:2 Ezra 5:4 Ezra 5:6 Ezra 5:6 Ezra 5:8 346 Occurrences |
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; Syriac 
; Ethiopic 
za: of same origin as Arabic 
possessor of [compare below Biblical Hebrew זֶה]. Properly a demonstrative that [compare זֶה; in Ethiopic ze is 'this', za 'which']; but this being referred by usage to something preceding becomes equivalent to the relative who, which, used, however, more widely than Hebrew אֲשֶׁר); — 1 as rel. who, which (construed like אֲשֶׁר): a. 
constantly), 
); a according as,