Lexical Summary
ki: for, because, when, if, surely, indeed, that
Original Word:כִּי
Part of Speech:Conjunction
Transliteration:kiy
Pronunciation:kee
Phonetic Spelling:(kee)
KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-)though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet
NASB:because, when, if, surely, indeed, since, though
Word Origin:[a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent]
1. (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)
2. often largely modified by other particles annexed
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
forasmuch, inasmuch, whereas, assuredly, but, certainly, doubtless,
A primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed -- and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-)though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. conjunction
Definitionthat, for, when
NASB Translationalso (1), although (11), although* (1), because (409), because* (18), case (2), certainly (1), either (1), even (3), even though (3), event* (1), except (1), except* (21), how (12), however* (1), if (169), if* (2), inasmuch* (6), indeed (61), indeed* (1), last* (1), more of her than* (1), more than* (1), more* (1), moreover* (1), much more* (8), much* (10), nevertheless (1), nevertheless* (4), nor* (1), now (3), only* (7), or (1), rather (5), rather i indeed (1), rather* (12), seeing (1), since (38), since* (1), so (2), soon (1), still* (1), surely (63), surely* (8), than (1), than* (2), then (2), then* (1), though (37), though* (2), truly (5), unless* (10), until* (5), what* (1), when (241), when* (1), whenever (1), while (2), without* (2), Yea (1), yes (2), yet (7).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Moabite
id,: Phoenician . Probably from the same demonstrative basis found in
here, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaic
this (W
SG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin with
that, in order that, and
then, enclitic, like Latin
nam in
quisnam?) —
that (, Germandass):
prefixed to sentences depending on an active verb, and occupying to it the place of an accusative: so constantly, after verbs of seeing, asGenesis 1:10 and God sawthat it was good,Genesis 3:6;Genesis 6:2,5;Genesis 12:14 #NAME?Genesis 14:14;Genesis 29:33, knowingGenesis 22:12;Genesis 24:14, tellingGenesis 3:11;Genesis 12:18, repentingGenesis 6:6,7, swearingGenesis 22:16;Jeremiah 22:5, believingExodus 4:5;Lamentations 4:12, rememberingPsalm 78:35, forgettingJob 39:15; =command (late; in early Hebrew the words said are quoted)Job 36:10,24 ( in a command)Job 37:20 b1 Chronicles 21:18 (contrast2 Samuel 24:18) etc.; it is goodthat ...2 Samuel 18:2 + (usually the infinitive with, asGenesis 2:18; see ibid.);Genesis 37:26 what profitthat we should slay (imperfect)...?Malachi 3:14 what proftthat we have kept (perfect)...?Job 22:3 is it pleasure to Shaddai that...? after a pronoun, asPsalm 41:12 bythis I know that thou hast pleasure in me,that my enemy cannot triumph over me,Psalm 42:5these things will I remember...that (or how) I used to go, etc.,Psalm 56:10this I knowthat God is for meJob 13:16 (). And with repeated pleonastic after an intervening clause2 Samuel 19:7;Jeremiah 26:15 +;Genesis 3:6;Genesis 29:12;Exodus 4:31;Joshua 2:9;Joshua 8:21;Joshua 10:1;1 Samuel 31:7;2 Samuel 5:12;1 Kings 11:21;Jeremiah 40:7,11;Genesis 45:26;Judges 10:10.
often introduces thedirect narration (like
,
, and the Greekrecitativum, e.g. Luke 4:21), in which case it cannot be represented in English (except by inverted commas),Genesis 21:30;Genesis 29:33 and she said, Yahweh hath heard, etc.;Exodus 3:12 =Judges 6:16 and he said, I will be with thee,Joshua 2:24;1 Samuel 2:16 (see Dr)1 Samuel 10:19 and ye have said to him, Thou shalt set a king over us,2 Samuel 11:23;1 Kings 1:13;1 Kings 20:5;Ruth 1:10, compareRuth 2:21 (but in reply to a question may =because, see below
; and so also in sentences giving the explanation of a proper name,Genesis 26:22;Genesis 29:32 (but Desurely: see below),Exodus 2:10 (compareGenesis 4:25;Genesis 41:51,52); in , introducing an expostulation,1 Samuel 29:8;1 Kings 11:22;2 Kings 8:13, it gives the reason for a suppressed 'Why do you say this?').
especially after an oath , etc., introducing the fact sworn to,Genesis 42:16 by the life of Pharaoh, (I say)that ye are spies; but though Hebrew usage probably gave it an asseverative force, English idiom does not require it to be expressed:Numbers 14:22;1 Samuel 20:3 as liveth, there is but a step between me and death!1 Samuel 26:16;1 Samuel 29:6;Isaiah 49:18 +;1 Samuel 14:44 thus may God do and more also: thou shalt surely die!2 Samuel 3:35;1 Kings 2:23;Ruth 1:17 and elsewhere — Note that when thus used is often repeated after an intervening clause, in order that its force may be fully preserved:Genesis 22:16f.;1 Samuel 14:39 ()1 Samuel 25:34;2 Samuel 2:27 () ,2 Samuel 3:9;2 Samuel 15:21 Qr1 Kings 1:30;Jeremiah 22:24.
is used sometimes with advs. and interjs. to add force or distinctness to the affirmation which follows: (a) so especially in (see );is it that . . .? (as a neutral interrogative)2 Samuel 9:1, (expecting a negative answer)Genesis 29:15is it that thou art my brother, and shalt (therefore) serve me for nothing?Job 6:22is it that I have said, Give unto me? expressing surpriseGenesis 27:36is it that he is called Jacob, and has (hence) supplanted me twice?2 Samuel 23:19 an affirm. answer is required (which would imply ): read probably with the ""1 Chronicles 11:25be-hold, he, etc.;Deuteronomy 32:30 were it notthat .. .;Job 12:2 of a truth (is it)that ye are the people, etc.;1 Samuel 8:9;Numbers 13:28 +;Ruth 2:21;1 Samuel 10:1 (but see Dr),2 Samuel 13:28;Psalm 128:4; comparePsalm 118:10 in the name of (is it)that — or (I say)that — I will mow them down;Job 39:27 doth the vulture mount up at thy command,and (is it)that it (so) makes high its nest?Isaiah 36:19 have the gods of the nations delivered each his land etc.? . . . i.e. (Hi)and (is it)that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand? > (Ew§ 354 c De Di)and that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand! = how much less () have they, etc.! (""2 Kings 18:34 alone, perhaps conformed by error to2 Kings 18:35; 2Chronicles 32:15 , which however does not decide the sense of the original ).1 Chronicles 29:14 read or (b) in introducing the apodosis, especially in (chiefly after )indeed then . . .,Genesis 31:42;Genesis 43:10 for unless we had tarriedsurely then we had returned twice,Numbers 22:33 (read for ); so1 Samuel 14:30 (after ), and1 Samuel 13:13 Hi We ( for ); afterJob 8:6surely then he will awake over thee, etc. (But elsewhere is simplyfor now,Genesis 29:32;Job 7:21 +; orfor then = for in that case,Exodus 9:15;Numbers 22:29;Job 3:13;Job 6:3 +). It is dubious whether has the same sense: for2 Samuel 2:27;2 Samuel 19:7 the in may be merely resumptive of therecitation preceding (see
). :Exodus 22:22 if thou afflict him 'tisthat (=indeed), if he cries unto me, I will hear him,Isaiah 7:9 if ye believe notindeed ye will not be established.
, standing alone, has an intensive force, introducing a statement with emphasis,yea, surely, certainly (Germanja — a lighter particle than these English words): see in AV RVExodus 18:11;Numbers 23:23;1 Samuel 17:25;1 Samuel 20:26;2 Kings 23:22;Isaiah 32:13;Isaiah 60:9;Jeremiah 22:22;Jeremiah 31:19;Hosea 6:9;Hosea 8:6;Hosea 9:12;Hosea 10:3;Amos 3:7;Psalm 76:11;Psalm 77:12 (Ew Che),Proverbs 30:2 (but not if construed as RVm),Ecclesiastes 4:16;Ecclesiastes 7:7,20;Job 28:1 +;Lamentations 3:22 ( Ew Th Öttli) the mercies of ,surely they are not consumed (read probably or for ),Ruth 3:12yea, indeed. But it is doubtful whether has this force in all the passages for which scholars have had recourse to it, and whether in some it is not simply =for. DeProverbs 30:1 would restrict the usage to cases in which a suppressed clause may be understood.
that, expressing consecution, especially after a question implying surprise or deprecation: followed by perf.,Genesis 20:9 what have I sinned against theethat thou hast brought upon me?1 Samuel 22:8;Isaiah 22:1 what aileth thee,that thou art gone up, etc.?Isaiah 22:16;Isaiah 36:5;Isaiah 52:5;Micah 4:9;Habakkuk 2:18; followed by participleJudges 14:3;1 Samuel 20:1;1 Kings 18:9 how have I sinnedthat thou art giving, etc.?2 Kings 5:7;Ezekiel 24:19; usually followed by imperfectExodus 3:11 who am Ithat I should go, etc.?Exodus 16:7;Judges 8:6;Judges 9:28;2 Kings 8:13;Isaiah 7:13;Isaiah 29:16 (also perfect),Psalm 8:5 what is man ?Job 3:12 or why the breaststhat I should suck?Job 6:11 ,Job 7:12,17;Job 10:5f.;Job 13:25f.;Job 15:12f;Job 15:14;Job 16:3;Job 21:15 +; after a negative,Genesis 40:15 here also I have done nothingthat they should have placed me in the dungeon,Psalm 44:19f. our heart has not turned backward, etc.that thou shouldst have crushed us, etc.,Isaiah 43:22 notme hast thou called on,that thou shouldst have wearied thyself with me,Hosea 1:6 (see RV),Job 41:2;Ruth 1:12 I am too old to have an husbandthat I should have said, etc. (compare Ew§ 337 a; Dr§ 39 ).
. converts them, like , into conjs. ..., as becausethat...: see below , , , , .
,when, of the pastGenesis 6:1 (compare BuUrg. 6),Genesis 26:8;Genesis 27:1;2 Samuel 6:13;2 Samuel 7:1;2 Samuel 19:26 + ( and especially with infinitive, are more frequently); (simple )1 Samuel 1:12;1 Samuel 17:48;Joshua 22:7;Judges 2:18;Judges 12:5 and it would be, whenever (frequently) they said,Jeremiah 44:19 (participle),Hosea 11:1;Psalm 32:3when I was silent,Job 31:21,26,29; of present (usually with imperfect) asExodus 18:16when they have a matter,1 Samuel 24:20;Isaiah 1:12;Isaiah 30:21;Jeremiah 14:12;Zechariah 7:5,6;Malachi 1:8;Psalm 49:19 and men praise theewhen thou doest well to thyself,Psalm 102:1;Psalm 127:5 +, with perfectEzekiel 3:19-21;Ezekiel 33:9;Proverbs 11:15;Proverbs 23:22; especially of future, asGenesis 4:12when thou shalt till the ground it shall not, etc.,Genesis 24:41;Genesis 30:33;Genesis 31:49;Genesis 32:18;Exodus 7:9when Pharaoh shall speak unto you,Deuteronomy 4:25;Deuteronomy 6:20 +; in phrase ()Leviticus 25:20;Deuteronomy 18:21;Isaiah 8:19;Isaiah 36:7;Jeremiah 13:22; and especially in ...Genesis 12:12;Genesis 46:33;Deuteronomy 6:10;Deuteronomy 15:16;1 Samuel 10:7;1 Samuel 25:30;Isaiah 8:21;Isaiah 10:12 + often; with perfectIsaiah 16:12;1 Chronicles 17:11 (altered from imperfect2 Samuel 7:12); with participle (unusual)Numbers 33:51;Numbers 34:2;Deuteronomy 11:31;Deuteronomy 18:9.
elsewhere has a force approximating toif, though it usually represents a case as more likely to occur than : — (mostly with imperfect)Genesis 38:16;Numbers 5:20;Numbers 10:32;Deuteronomy 6:25;Deuteronomy 7:17;Deuteronomy 28:2,13;1 Samuel 20:13;2 Samuel 19:8;2 Kings 4:29;2 Kings 18:22;Jeremiah 38:15;Proverbs 4:8;Job 7:13 (when I say),Job 19:28; often in laws, asExodus 21:14,33,35;Exodus 21:37;Exodus 22:4;Exodus 22:5 etc.,Deuteronomy 13:13;Deuteronomy 14:24;Deuteronomy 15:7,12;Deuteronomy 17:2;Deuteronomy 18:6,21 etc.; sometimes, in particular, to state a principle broadly, after which special cases are introduced by , asExodus 21:2when () thou buyest a Hebrew servant, he shall serve thee six years, after whichExodus 21:3-5 follow four special cases withif: soExodus 21:7 (),Exodus 21:8-11 ();Exodus 21:18 (),Exodus 21:19 ();Exodus 21:20 (),Exodus 21:21 ();Exodus 21:22 f;Exodus 21:28-32;Leviticus 1:2 (),Leviticus 1:3;Leviticus 1:10 ()Leviticus 4:2,3,13,27,32;Leviticus 13:2ff.Numbers 30:3ff. +; though this distinction is not uniformly observed, contrast e.g.Exodus 21:5 withDeuteronomy 15:16;Numbers 5:19 andNumbers 5:20. — with =when orif, the subject is often prefixed for distinctness and emphasis:1 Kings 8:37 ,Isaiah 28:18;Micah 5:4 ,Psalm 62:11;Ezekiel 3:19 (),Ezekiel 14:9,13;Ezekiel 18:5,18,21;Ezekiel 33:6 (compareEzekiel 33:2); and especially in laws of P, asLeviticus 1:2;Leviticus 13:2, ...Leviticus 2:1;Leviticus 4:2;Leviticus 5:1,4,15, similarlyLeviticus 15:2,16,19,25;Leviticus 22:12,13,14 etc., rather differentlyNumbers 5:20.
when orif, with a concessive force, i.e.though: — (a) with imperfectJeremiah 4:30 (3 t. in verse);Jeremiah 14:12;Jeremiah 49:16though thou make high like the vulture thy nest, I will bring thee down thence,Jeremiah 51:53;Hosea 13:15;Zechariah 8:6;Psalm 37:24;Psalm 49:19f.though in his lifetime he bless himself ... he shall come, etc., perhaps alsoJeremiah 46:23 Ew (but Hi Gf Kefor),Jeremiah 50:11 Ew Ke (Hiyea); and strengthened by ,Isaiah 1:5;Psalm 23:4 (compare Dr§ 143); (b) with perf. (rare)Micah 7:8though I have fallen, I rise,Nahum 1:10 (si vera 1.),Psalm 21:12 (Hi Ew Now),Psalm 119:88 (Ew De).
Because, since —
Genesis 3:14because thou hast done this, cursed art thou, etc.,Genesis 3:17;Genesis 18:20;Genesis 17:20 the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah —because it is great ... (subject prefixed for emphasis: compare
)Isaiah 28:15; in answer to a question,Genesis 27:20;Exodus 1:19;Exodus 18:15;2 Samuel 19:43 +. Enunciating the conditions under which a future action is conceived as possible (Germanindem)Leviticus 22:9;Deuteronomy 4:29 ,Deuteronomy 12:20 (see Dr),Deuteronomy 12:25;Deuteronomy 12:28;Deuteronomy 13:19;Deuteronomy 14:24;Deuteronomy 16:15;Deuteronomy 19:6,9 +,1 Kings 8:35 (compare1 Kings 8:33 ),1 Kings 8:36 ,Proverbs 4:8b.
more commonly the causal sentence follows, asGenesis 2:3 and God blessed the seventh daybecause on it he rested, etc.,Genesis 4:25 etc., in which case it may often be renderedfor,Genesis 2:5;Genesis 2:28;Genesis 3:20;Genesis 5:24;Genesis 6:7,12,13;Psalm 6:3 heal mefor my bones are vexed,Psalm 10:14;Psalm 25:16;Psalm 27:10 + very often specifically after verbs expressive of mental emotions, as rejoicingIsaiah 14:29;Psalm 58:11, being angryGenesis 31:35;Genesis 45:5, fearingGenesis 43:18;Psalm 49:17 etc. Iron.1 Kings 18:27for he is a god etc. (4 t.);Proverbs 30:4;Job 38:5for orsince thou knowest. With subject prefixedPsalm 128:2. Repeated (with anacoluthon)Isaiah 49:19.
the causal relation expressed by is sometimes subtle, especially in poetry, and not apparent without careful study of a passage. Thus sometimes it justifies a statement or description by pointing to a pregnant fact which involves it, asIsaiah 3:8aJob 6:21 (ground of the comparisonJob 6:15-20),Job 14:16 (For...: ground of the wishes expressedJob 14:13-15),Job 16:22 (ground ofJob 16:20f.)Job 30:26 (For ...), or by pointing to a General truth which it exemplifiesJob 5:6 (reason why complainingJob 5:2-5 is foolish),Job 15:34;Job 23:14; sometimes it isexplicative, justifying a statement by unfolding the particulars which establish or exemplify it2 Samuel 23:5a;Isaiah 1:30;Isaiah 5:7;Isaiah 7:8;Isaiah 9:4;Isaiah 10:8-11;Isaiah 13:10 (development ofIsaiah 13:9a);Isaiah 32:6 f. (developing the characters of the and , and so explaining why they will no longer be esteemedIsaiah 32:5);Job 11:16ff. (explicit ofJob 11:15b),Job 18:8 ff. (justifyingJob 18:7),Job 22:26 ff. (justifyingJob 22:25); elsewhere the cause is expressed indirectly or figurativelyIsaiah 2:6 (reason why invitationIsaiah 2:5 is needed),Isaiah 5:10 (sterility of the soil the cause of the desolationIsaiah 5:9),Isaiah 18:5;Isaiah 28:8 (proof of the intoxicationIsaiah 28:7),Isaiah 31:7 (reason for the exhortationIsaiah 31:6: the certainty that the folly of idolatry will soon be recognized),Job 7:21 (for soon it will be too late to pardon),Job 27:8-10 (Job wishes his enemy the lot of the wicked,because this is so hopeless); or relates not to the see which immediately precedes or follows, but to several, asIsaiah 7:16f. (Isaiah 7:17 specially the ground of the people being reduced to simple fareIsaiah 7:15),Isaiah 21:6ff. (ground of the statementsIsaiah 21:1-5),Job 4:5 (ground ofJob 4:2),Job 14:7-12 (Job 14:10-12 specially the ground for the appeal inJob 14:6),Job 23:10-13 (ground why God cannot be foundJob 23:8f.),Psalm 73:21 (ground not ofPsalm 73:20, but of the General train of thoughtPsalm 73:2); similarlyGenesis 4:24;Deuteronomy 18:14;Jeremiah 30:11 the reason lies not in the words immediately after , but in the second part of the sentence; or, on the other hand, it may state the reason for a particular word,Isaiah 28:20 (justifying 'nought but terror'Isaiah 28:19),Job 23:17 (God's hostilityJob 23:16 the cause of his misery, not the calamity as such). Sometimes also , in a poetic orrhetorical style, gives the reason for a thought not expressed but implied, especially the answer to a question;Isaiah 28:11 (the mockeries ofIsaiah 28:10 have a meaning) 'for with men of strange lips, etc. he will speak unto this people,' who will retort the mockeries, charged with a new and terrible meaning, upon those who uttered them (Isaiah 28:13); = (no,)forIsaiah 28:28 (see RVm),Job 22:2bno, he that is wise is profitable to himself,Job 31:18;Job 39:14 (seeJob 39:13b),Psalm 44:24 (he cannot do this,Psalm 44:23)for for thy sake are we killed, etc.,Psalm 130:4no, with thee is forgiveness; = (yes,)forIsaiah 49:25 (see the questionIsaiah 49:24),Isaiah 66:8.
sometimes introduce the proximate and ultimate cause respectively,Genesis 3:19;Genesis 26:7;Genesis 43:32;Genesis 47:20;Exodus 23:33for [else] thou wilt serve their gods,for it will be a snare to thee,Isaiah 2:6 (twice in verse);Isaiah 3:8 (twice in verse);Isaiah 6:5a, b;Isaiah 10:22f.;Job 6:3f.;Job 8:8,9 (twice in verse);Job 24:17 (twice in verse);Job 29:11f.; sometimes they introduce two co-ordinate causes (where we should insertand),Exodus 23:21,22;Isaiah 6:5b,c I am undone,because I am of unclean lips...,because mine eyes have seen of hosts,Isaiah 15:5 (twice in verse);Isaiah 15:6 (twice in verse);Isaiah 15:8,9;Zephaniah 3:8f.;Job 15:25,27;Job 20:19f.;Job 31:11f. But also occurs,Genesis 33:11;Numbers 5:20 (if),Joshua 7:15;Judges 6:30;1 Samuel 19:4;1 Samuel 22:17;1 Kings 2:26;Isaiah 65:16 +.
after a negativefor becomes =but (Germansondern):Genesis 17:15 thou shalt not call her name Sarai,for (=but) Sarah shall be her name,Genesis 24:3f.;Genesis 45:8;Exodus 1:19;Exodus 16:8 not against us are your murmurings,for (they are) against =but against ,Deuteronomy 21:17;1 Samuel 6:3 (),1 Samuel 27:1 (see Dr),1 Kings 21:17;Isaiah 10:7;Isaiah 28:27;Isaiah 29:23;Isaiah 30:5;Psalm 44:8;Psalm 118:17 + often; so innay, for =nay, but, asGenesis 18:15nay, but thou didst laugh,Genesis 19:2;Genesis 42:12;Joshua 5:14;1 Samuel 2:16 MSS (see Dr),1 Samuel 12:12;2 Samuel 16:18;2 Samuel 24:24;1 Kings 2:30;1 Kings 3:22;1 Kings 11:22;Isaiah 30:16nay, but we will flee upon horses.
— is sometimes of difficult and uncertain interpretation, and in some of the passages quoted a different explanation is tenable. Authorities especially read the Hebrew differently, when the choice is betweenfor andyea. E.g.Isaiah 8:23 Ges Ew§ 330 bdoch (no, but); Hi Difor (takingIsaiah 8:22 as RVm); Chsurely:Isaiah 15:1 Ges Ew Hi Disurely; Defor:Isaiah 39:8 Ges Hi Desurely; Difor (explanation of ):Ezekiel 11:16 Hi Ke Cosurely; Ew Smbecause. — InExodus 20:25 the tense of makes it probably that isfor (Dr§ 153).Job 22:29 is taken with least violence to usage () as HiWhen they humble thee, and thou sayest (= complainest) Pride! he will save, etc. (the always followed by makkeph, exceptGenesis 15:4;Numbers 35:33;Nehemiah 2:2, where is read by the Mass.: FrMM 241) —
each particle retaining its independent force, and relating to adifferent clause:
that ifJeremiah 26:15; after an oath ( not translated: see
)if1 Samuel 14:39;Jeremiah 22:24,surely not ( 2)2 Samuel 3:35;1 Samuel 25:34 ( being resumptive of the before : see );Exodus 22:22 (in apodosis)indeed if . . . (see ).
for ifExodus 8:17;Exodus 9:2;Exodus 10:4;Deuteronomy 11:20 +,for thoughIsaiah 10:22;Jeremiah 37:20;Amos 5:22,but ifJeremiah 7:5.
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to thesame clause —
limiting the preceding clause, except (after a negative, or an oath, or question, the equivalent of a negative) — the most usual term for expressing this idea: followed by verbGenesis 32:27 I will not let thee go; literallybut (
)if thou bless me (that is, I will let thee go), i.e., subordinating the second clause to the first, 'I will not let thee go,except thou bless me;'Leviticus 22:6 he shall not eat of the holy thingsexcept he have washed his flesh,Isaiah 65:6;Amos 3:7;Ruth 3:18;Lamentations 5:21f. (Ew Näg Ke Che Öttli), turn thou us unto thee, etc.,unless thou have utterly rejected us, (and) art very wroth with us (=Or hast thou utterly rejected us? etc. Ew Öttli); followed by a noun,except, but,Genesis 28:17 this is nothingbut the house of God,Genesis 32:9 he withholds from me nothingexcept thee,Leviticus 21:2;Numbers 14:30 (after ),Numbers 26:65 (compareNumbers 32:12 ),Joshua 14:4;1 Samuel 30:17,22;2 Samuel 12:3 (so2 Kings 4:2),2 Kings 19:29;1 Kings 17:1 (after ),1 Kings 22:31;2 Kings 5:15;2 Kings 9:35;2 Kings 13:7;Jeremiah 22:17;Jeremiah 44:14 +; after , 2 Chronicles 23:6; followed by an adverb clause,Genesis 42:15;Numbers 35:33;2 Samuel 3:13 (but and are mutually exclusive: read probably with ); after an interrogativeIsaiah 42:19 who is blindbut my servant ? (who is blind in comparison with him ?),Deuteronomy 10:12;Micah 6:8;Ecclesiastes 5:10; 2Chron 2:5.
theif being neglected, and treated as pleonastic (compare
), (= a slightly strengthened ),Genesis 15:4 this man shall not be thy heir;but one that shall come forth from thy own bowels, he shall be thy heir (compare1 Kings 8:19), 1Ki 32:29 thy name shall no more be called Jacobbut Israel (compare alone1 Kings 17:15), 1Ki 47:18 we will not hide it from my lord,but the money . . . is all made over to, etc.,Exodus 12:9 not boiled in water,but roast with fire,Deuteronomy 7:5;Deuteronomy 12:5;Deuteronomy 16:6;Joshua 23:8;1 Samuel 2:15 he will not take of thee boiled fleshbut raw,1 Samuel 8:19 nay,but a king shall be over us (compare alone,1 Samuel 10:19;1 Samuel 12:12),1 Samuel 21:5;2 Samuel 5:6;1 Kings 18:18;2 Kings 10:23 (),Isaiah 33:21;Isaiah 55:10,11;Isaiah 59:2;Jeremiah 3:10;Jeremiah 7:32;Jeremiah 9:23;Jeremiah 16:15;Jeremiah 20:3;Ezekiel 36:22;Ezekiel 44:10;Amos 8:11;Psalm 1:2;Psalm 1:4;Proverbs 23:17 () Psalm +; with the principal verb repeated (asGenesis 15:4;1 Kings 8:19),Leviticus 21:14;Ezekiel 44:22;Numbers 10:30;2 Kings 23:23;Jeremiah 39:12 Kt (Qr omit ), compareJeremiah 7:23. Occasionally in colloquial language, the negative, it seems, is left to be understood:1 Samuel 26:10 as liveth, (by no means,)but shall smite him,2 Samuel 13:33 Kt (by no means,)but Amnon alone is dead (Qr omits ). Followed by imperativeIsaiah 65:18;Ezekiel 12:23;Jeremiah 39:12; 2Chronicles 25:8. Sometimes also, though rarely (and not certainly), appears to have the force ofonly even without a previous negative:Genesis 40:14only have (?) me in remembrance with thyself (but read perhaps for ; see Dr§ 119 n., the use of a bare perfect, without , or even waw consecutive, to express a wish or command is unexampled),Numbers 24:22only, nevertheless, the Kenite shall be for extermination (compare Di),Job 42:8 (De Di)
after an oath appears to = a strengthened (compare ,
), (see ):2 Kings 5:20 as liveth,surely I will run (perfect of certitude) after him, etc.,Jeremiah 51:14 (Ges Hi Gf RV)surley I will fill thee with men (namely, assailants), etc. (but Ew Ke Ch treat the particles as separate ( as
): ; i.e. increased thy population, — yet shall they — the assailants — lift up the shout against thee),2 Samuel 15:21 Kt (Qr omits ); after an assever. particleRuth 3:12 Kt and now, yea indeed,surely I am thy kinsman (Qr omits ); the oath being understood,Judges 15:7 if ye do thus,surely (Geshercle) I will avenge myself,1 Samuel 21:6of a truth women have been kept from us, etc.,1 Kings 20:6surely tomorrow I will send, etc.,Proverbs 23:18 (see De)surely thereis a reward; perhaps alsoJob 42:8.
forasmuch as, a peculiar phrase foundGenesis 18:5;Genesis 19:8;Genesis 33:10;Genesis 38:26;Numbers 10:31;Numbers 14:43;Judges 6:22;2 Samuel 18:20 Qr (rightly),Jeremiah 29:28;Jeremiah 38:4 — literallyfor therefore, emphasizing the ground pleonastically (Ew§ 353 a ). The original force of the phrase is traceable in some of the passages in which it occurs, asGenesis 18:5 let me fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort your heart;for therefore (that is, to partake of such hospitality) are ye come to your servant,Numbers 14:43 the Amalekite and the Canaanite are there, and ye will fall by the sword,for therefore (to encounter such a fate) have ye turned back from etc.: but in process of time the distinct sense of its component parts was no doubt gradually obscured, and it thus came to be used conventionally, as amere particle of causation, even where there was no preceding statement to whichtherefore could be explicitly referred. appears to be used similarly (compare
)Job 34:27.
Topical Lexicon
Strong’s Hebrew 3588 – כִּיOverview
כִּי functions as one of the most versatile connectors in the Old Testament, appearing roughly 4,481 times. It links clauses, explains divine actions, grounds commands, marks conditions, introduces time elements, or adds emphatic force. Wherever it stands, כִּי signals that the inspired writer is about to clarify “why,” “when,” “that,” “if,” or even “indeed.” The reader is therefore invited to pause, listen, and receive God’s reasoning or emphasis.
Distribution across the Canon
• Torah – strategic in covenant legislation and narrative explanation (for example,Genesis 2–3;Exodus 19–24;Deuteronomy 4–30).
• Former Prophets – frames historical evaluation of Israel’s obedience and apostasy (Joshua 23;1 Kings 11).
• Latter Prophets – supplies causal and conditional texture to prophetic oracles (Isaiah 1–12;Jeremiah 7).
• Writings – enriches wisdom contrasts and psalmic worship (Psalms 1;Proverbs 3;Ecclesiastes 8).
Primary Functional Categories
1.Causal and Explanatory
כִּי most often means “because” or “for,” furnishing the rationale for divine commands or historical events.
•Genesis 2:3 – “For God rested from all the work of creation He had accomplished.”
•Exodus 14:13 – “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.”
Pastors and teachers rely on these causal statements to show that God’s acts and commands are never arbitrary.
2.Grounds for Ethical Imperatives
Moses repeatedly uses כִּי to motivate covenant obedience:
•Deuteronomy 7:7–8 – “The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers…”
Here the conjunction roots Israel’s calling in divine love, shaping ethical preaching that begins with grace before law.
3.Conditional
When כִּי translates “if,” it marks covenant stipulations and wisdom observations.
•Genesis 4:7 – “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at the door.”
•Exodus 19:5 – “Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations.”
Conditional כִּי underscores human responsibility while preserving the unconditional certainty of God’s promises.
4.Temporal (“when”)
Occasionally כִּי fixes a moment in time.
•Genesis 15:12 – “When the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep…”
•Judges 15:4 – “Samson went and caught three hundred foxes. Then he took torches, turned the foxes tail to tail, and fastened a torch to every pair of tails.” (preceded by כִּי to mark the timing of Samson’s act).
Narrative timelines gain precision, keeping redemptive history concrete and orderly.
5.Asseverative / Emphatic (“indeed, surely”)
Used to intensify a declaration.
•Psalm 118:6 – “The LORD is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (literally, “for surely the LORD is for me”).
The worshiper is moved from proposition to persuasion.
6.Adversative (“but”)
Less frequent, yet crucial in contrastive statements.
•1 Samuel 8:19 – “But the people refused to listen to Samuel.”
The shift highlights covenant breach and the need for repentance.
Theological and Redemptive Themes
•Covenant Grounding – FromGenesis 12:12–13 toDeuteronomy 4:35, כִּי supplies the “because” behind election, law, and promise, revealing that God’s covenants rest on His character and redemptive design.
•Prophetic Appeals – Isaiah and Jeremiah hinge their calls to repentance on explanatory כִּי clauses:Isaiah 1:18–20 invites reasoned surrender;Jeremiah 2:13 exposes Judah’s sin “because” they forsook the fountain of living waters.
•Messianic Foreshadowing – Passages such asIsaiah 9:6–7 employ כִּי to link the birth of the Child to the expansion of peace: “For unto us a Child is born…” The conjunction ensures that the promise of the throne of David is firmly anchored in God’s decree.
•Wisdom Contrast – Proverbs balances cause and effect: “For the LORD detests the perverse but delights in the upright” (Proverbs 3:32). כִּי frames moral reality in everyday life.
•Liturgical Assurance – The refrain “For His loving devotion endures forever” (Psalm 136) binds worshippers to the unchanging covenant love of God.
Historical Development and Translation
When Hebrew texts were rendered into Greek, כִּי was mainly translated by ὅτι (“that,” “because”) or γάρ (“for”), which the New Testament frequently employs. Thus readers tracing theological continuity from Old to New Testament notice that the apostolic writers build arguments exactly the way Moses and the prophets did—by grounding commands and promises in God’s revealed rationale.
Ministry Implications
•Preaching and Teaching – Faithful exposition lingers on כִּי clauses to uncover God’s reasons before pressing human response. Commands divorced from their divine “because” become legalistic; joined to them, they become worshipful obedience (seeExodus 20:2).
•Counsel and Discipleship – Believers are stabilized when counselors point to the explanatory כִּי of Scripture: “Cast your burden on the LORD, for He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).
•Apologetics – The conjunction equips defenders of the faith to present rational grounds, reflecting Scripture’s own pattern: “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 cites the principle).
•Prayer and Worship – Prayers that echo Scripture’s כִּי pattern (adoration, petition, rationale) align the heart with God’s purposes: “Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good” (Psalm 69:16).
Representative Passages
Genesis 6:5 – “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.”
Exodus 34:14 – “For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”
Deuteronomy 8:5 – “Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.”
Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
Isaiah 40:1 – “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”
Habakkuk 2:14 – “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
Conclusion
כִּי is the divine hinge upon which explanation, motivation, and assurance swing. From creation to covenant, from prophecy to praise, its 4,481 occurrences weave a coherent tapestry that invites God’s people to think His thoughts after Him, obey His commands, and rest in His reasons.
Forms and Transliterations
הֲֽכִי־ הֲכִ֣י הֲכִי֩ הֲכִי־ הכי הכי־ וְ֝כִ֗י וְכִ֣י וְכִ֣י ׀ וְכִ֤י וְכִ֥י וְכִ֧י וְכִ֨י וְכִֽי־ וְכִי֙ וְכִי־ וכי וכי־ כִ֔י כִ֗י כִ֛י כִ֤י כִ֥י כִּ֖י כִּ֗י כִּ֘י כִּ֚י כִּ֛י כִּ֝֗י כִּ֞י כִּ֠י כִּ֡י כִּ֣י כִּ֣י ׀ כִּ֣י־ כִּ֤י כִּ֤י ׀ כִּ֥י כִּ֧י כִּ֨י כִּ֩י כִּ֪י כִּ֬י כִּ֭י כִּֽי כִּֽי־ כִּי֩ כִּי־ כִֽי־ כִי־ כִּ֤י כִּי כֹּ֣ה כה כי כי־ chi hă·ḵî hă·ḵî- haChi hăḵî hăḵî- ki kî ḵî kî- ḵî- kiSha kiShe kiShi Koh kōh veChi wə·ḵî wə·ḵî- wəḵî wəḵî-
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