Brief Overview of Δεῖνα (G1170: Deîna)

Deîna (pronounced DAY-nah, δεῖνα) is a Greek pronoun found under Strong’s Concordance number G1170. The word Deîna is somewhat unusual in the New Testament, and it functions as an indefinite or generic pronoun, often translated as “such a one,” “so-and-so,” or “a certain person.” It is used when the speaker either does not want to name someone specifically or when the identity of the person is not of primary importance.

Deîna can be seen as a placeholder word, similar to how “John Doe” might be used in English to refer to an unnamed or hypothetical person. This word is often used in narratives or speech when referring to an unspecified individual, where the details of the person’s identity are either unknown or irrelevant to the main point being made.

Scripture References

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1. Matthew 26:18: “He said, ‘Go into the city to a certain man (πρὸς τὸν δεῖνα, pros ton deîna) and say to him, “The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”‘” In this verse, Deîna is used to refer to a specific but unnamed individual to whom the disciples are to speak.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

In BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Deîna is defined as “such a one” or “so-and-so,” with the understanding that it serves as a generic or indefinite reference to a person. BDAG notes that Deîna is used in contexts where the identity of the person is either not specified or deliberately left ambiguous. The lexicon highlights that this word can be found in both formal and informal speech, where the focus is on the action or situation rather than the individual’s identity.

Thayer’s Lexicon describes Deîna as an indefinite pronoun used to refer to a person whose name is either unknown or is intentionally withheld. Thayer’s points out that Deîna is not common in the New Testament, but when it does appear, it serves to keep the focus on the events or instructions rather than on the specific individuals involved. The lexicon also notes that Deîna can be seen in the context of storytelling or instructions where the identity of a person is not crucial to the message being conveyed.

The LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) lexicon provides a broader context for Deîna, noting its use in classical Greek literature to refer to an unspecified or unnamed person. LSJ emphasizes that Deîna was often used in legal or rhetorical contexts where the identity of the person was either irrelevant or intentionally obscured. The term was also used in casual conversation when the speaker did not wish to specify a person’s name, similar to saying “someone” or “so-and-so” in English.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists Deîna as “a certain one” or “so-and-so,” focusing on its role as a pronoun used to refer to an unnamed individual. The concordance highlights that Deîna is used in the New Testament in a context where the specific identity of a person is either unknown or not necessary to mention.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

Deîna appears in various classical Greek texts, often in contexts where the identity of a person is either deliberately vague or unimportant.

1. Aristophanes in his comedies frequently uses Deîna to refer to an unnamed character, often in a humorous or sarcastic context, where the specific identity of the person is not important to the joke or situation.
2. Plato in his dialogues occasionally employs Deîna to refer to a hypothetical or unnamed individual in philosophical discussions, where the identity of the person is secondary to the ideas being explored.
3. Herodotus in “The Histories” uses Deîna when recounting events involving unnamed individuals, focusing on the actions or events rather than the identities of those involved.

Summary

Deîna (pronounced DAY-nah, δεῖνα) is a Greek pronoun that serves as a generic or indefinite reference to a person, often translated as “such a one,” “so-and-so,” or “a certain person.” Derived from its use in classical Greek, Deîna appears in the New Testament in contexts where the identity of the person is either unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally withheld, as seen in Matthew 26:18. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and LSJ emphasize that Deîna is used when the specific details about an individual’s identity are not necessary for understanding the main point of a narrative or instruction. In classical Greek literature, Deîna is often used in legal, rhetorical, or casual contexts to refer to unnamed individuals, reflecting its flexibility as a placeholder word. The word Deîna highlights the use of indefinite references in language, where the focus is on the action or situation rather than on the individuals involved.