Understanding δή (dē) Strong’s G1211: The Emphatic Particle that Intensifies Truth and Emphasizes Divine Reality

Pronunciation Guide: day

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1211: The Greek particle δή (dē) functions primarily as an emphatic marker that strengthens and intensifies statements, giving them greater force and certainty. It serves to draw attention to what the speaker considers especially important or self-evident. In biblical texts, it often appears at significant moments where the author wishes to emphasize divine truth or reality, essentially saying “indeed,” “truly,” or “certainly” to highlight the importance of the associated statement.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Particle
• Origin: Proto-Indo-European root *dē-, meaning “to bind” or “to fasten”
• Usage: Primarily in narrative and teaching sections
• Function: Adds emphasis or certainty to a statement
• Related to the temporal adverb ἤδη (ēdē, “already, now”)
• Appears 62 times in the New Testament
• Common in Classical Greek, less frequent in Koine

δή Morphology:

• δή – invariable particle (does not change form)

Origin & History

The particle δή has deep roots in ancient Greek, dating back to Homer and classical literature where it functioned as an emphatic marker. In the works of Plato, it frequently appears in dialogues to signal agreement or highlight self-evident truths. Plato uses it extensively in the Republic when Socrates wants his interlocutors to recognize a point as obviously true.

In the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (3rd-2nd century BCE), δή often translates the Hebrew emphatic particles נָא (na) and הִנֵּה (hinneh), carrying forward their function of drawing attention or introducing significant statements. This usage established precedent for its appearance in the New Testament. The church father Chrysostom, in his homilies, frequently comments on the use of δή in Scripture, noting how it serves to underscore divinely revealed truths that demand special attention from believers.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A marker of emphasis that strengthens assertions and statements
• An indicator of certainty, highlighting what is evident or obvious
• A particle that draws attention to important information
• A rhetorical device that creates immediacy and urgency
• A connective that indicates progression from established truth to consequences

δή Translation Options:

• “Indeed” – When reinforcing a statement already made or known
• “Truly” – When emphasizing the certainty or reality of a statement
• “Now” – When marking a logical progression or transition (not temporal)
• “Therefore” – When drawing a conclusion that naturally follows
• “Certainly” – When highlighting what should be considered self-evident

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δή appears most frequently in Matthew’s Gospel and the Pauline epistles, often at pivotal moments in teaching or argumentation. Its first appearance in Matthew 13:23 occurs in the parable of the sower, where it emphasizes the contrast between those who merely hear the word and those who truly understand and bear fruit. This usage highlights a pattern throughout Scripture where δή often appears in contexts that distinguish surface understanding from deeper spiritual comprehension.

The particle frequently serves to underscore divine commands or herald significant spiritual truths. When Yeshua (Jesus) uses it in His teaching, it often signals a transition from general principles to direct application or from established truth to its implications. Paul employs δή to strengthen his theological arguments, particularly when drawing conclusions he considers inescapable from the premises he has established about the Messiah’s work.

• “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed [δή] bears fruit and produces…” Matthew 13:23
• “For if I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things indeed [δή]?” John 3:12
• “For indeed [δή], circumcision is of value if you practice the Law…” Romans 2:25
• “So then [δή], my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear…” James 1:19
• “Now [δή] to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…” Ephesians 3:20
• “Therefore [δή], having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves…” 2 Corinthians 7:1
• “For truly [δή] I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed…” Matthew 17:20

Cultural Insights

In ancient Greek rhetoric, particles like δή were essential tools for persuasive discourse. Greek orators such as Demosthenes skillfully employed emphatic particles to guide audience response and emphasize key points. This rhetorical tradition would have been familiar to educated listeners of Paul’s speeches recorded in Acts and readers of his epistles, allowing them to recognize when he was highlighting particularly crucial theological points.

Among Jewish teachers of the Second Temple period, emphatic particles in both Hebrew and Greek served a similar function to the repetition of key phrases in rabbinic teaching methods. Just as a rabbi might say “Hear and understand!” to signal important instruction, the particle δή created a similar effect of demanding special attention. This teaching technique reflects the ancient Jewish educational principle that truth must not merely be stated but emphasized and internalized. When Yeshua uses δή in His parables and teachings, He is employing a familiar pedagogical device that would signal to His audience: “Pay special attention to this point—it carries particular weight.”

Theological Significance

The strategic placement of δή throughout the New Testament reveals a divine emphasis on certain truths that God particularly wants His people to grasp. It often appears at moments of theological significance where superficial understanding would be insufficient. This reflects יהוה’s character as a God who not only reveals truth but also guides our attention to what matters most in His revelation, demonstrating His loving concern that we truly comprehend His word.

The particle frequently marks transitions from general principles to specific application, mirroring the pattern of God’s revelation that moves from abstract truth to concrete expression. This progression reflects the incarnational principle at the heart of the gospel—that the Word became flesh, that divine reality enters human experience. When biblical authors use δή, they are often signaling this movement from general revelation to specific manifestation, from promise to fulfillment, from law to grace.

In many instances, δή appears in contexts discussing the certainty of God’s promises or the assurance of salvation through the Messiah. This usage underscores the character of God as utterly faithful and His word as absolutely reliable. The emphatic nature of δή reinforces that God’s promises are not merely possible or probable but certain and guaranteed by His unchanging nature. This provides believers with the confident assurance that what God has promised, He will certainly fulfill.

Personal Application

When we encounter δή in Scripture, we should pause and pay special attention, recognizing that the Holy Spirit is highlighting a truth of particular importance. These emphatic moments invite us to go beyond surface reading to deeper contemplation. Consider developing a practice of noting these emphatic markers in your Bible study, perhaps underlining or highlighting passages where δή appears to remind yourself: “This deserves my focused attention.”

The emphatic function of δή reminds us that in our spiritual lives, not all truths impact us equally at all times. Just as Scripture uses emphasis to direct our attention, the Holy Spirit often emphasizes specific truths we especially need in particular seasons. When you sense a repeated emphasis on certain Scriptures in your devotional life, consider whether the Lord might be using this divine emphasis to address a specific need or prepare you for a coming challenge. True spiritual maturity involves discerning not just what God says, but what He is currently emphasizing in your walk with Him.

Related Words

• οὖν (oun, “therefore”) – A particle indicating logical consequence or inference, but without the emphatic force of δή. Where δή emphasizes certainty, οὖν simply marks progression in thought. See G3767
• γάρ (gar, “for”) – Introduces explanations or reasons, providing the basis for assertions rather than emphasizing their importance. It explains “why” something is true, while δή emphasizes “that” something is certainly true. See G1063
• ἰδού (idou, “behold”) – An imperative marker calling for attention, more dramatic than δή. Where δή subtly emphasizes, ἰδού explicitly commands attention to what follows. See G2400
• ἀμήν (amen, “truly”) – A solemn affirmation of truth, especially in Yeshua’s “truly, truly” statements. While δή emphasizes what follows, ἀμήν verifies what precedes. See G281
• μέν (men, “indeed”) – Often used in paired constructions (μέν…δέ) to set up contrasts. Whereas δή stands alone to emphasize, μέν works with other particles to structure arguments. See G3303

Did you Know?

• Ancient Greek musical notation used the term διάστημα (diastema, from the same root as δή) to indicate a binding together of notes in a sequence. This connection reveals how δή functions to “bind” or “fasten” a statement more firmly to reality, strengthening its impact just as musical phrasing creates emphasis in melody. When Scripture uses δή, it’s as if the divine Composer is highlighting a particularly important note in the symphony of revelation.
• In modern Greek, the descendant of δή appears in phrases like “και βέβαια δα” (kai vevaia da), an emphatic affirmation meaning “but of course!” This linguistic continuity demonstrates how this ancient particle’s function of reinforcing certainty has persisted across millennia. The enduring need for emphatic markers in human language reflects our continuous need for assurance about what is truly important and reliable.
• The particle δή is conspicuously absent from John’s Gospel, despite the book’s emphasis on certainty and truth. Instead, John prefers the double ἀμήν construction (“Truly, truly, I say to you…”) to capture Yeshua’s emphatic statements. This stylistic choice illustrates how different biblical authors employed varied linguistic strategies to communicate divine emphasis, adapting their approach to their particular audience and purpose while preserving the essential message.

Remember This

The particle δή in Scripture serves as a divine highlighter, drawing our attention to truths that God Himself especially wants us to notice, embrace, and apply—transforming our understanding from mere intellectual assent into living, active faith.