δεῖνα
so and so, such a one
Definition
The Greek word δεῖνα (deina) is an indefinite pronoun meaning 'so-and-so' or 'such a one.' It functions as a placeholder for a specific name or person that is known to the speaker but is deliberately omitted or left unspecified. In its sole New Testament occurrence, it is used to refer to a particular individual without naming them directly. This usage highlights a situation where the identity is understood in context but is not the primary focus of the statement.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 26:18, where Jesus instructs his disciples to say, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.' The phrase translated 'your house' in Greek literally uses δεῖνα to mean 'with you' (referring to the homeowner), effectively saying 'with so-and-so.' This demonstrates its use as a polite or indirect reference to a person whose name is known but not stated, fitting the narrative context where the homeowner's identity is assumed to be understood by the disciples.
Etymology
Derived directly from the Greek δεῖνα, it is an ancient indefinite pronoun used as a placeholder for a name. It functions similarly to English terms like 'what's-his-name' or 'so-and-so,' indicating a specific but unnamed person. Its usage reflects a common linguistic feature for avoiding direct naming when context makes the reference clear.
Semantic Range
In ancient Greek culture, using δεῖνα was a conventional way to refer to someone without stating their name, often out of politeness, discretion, or when the name was temporarily forgotten. In Matthew 26:18, it may reflect a cultural norm of indirect reference, where Jesus' instruction assumes the disciples know whom to approach, emphasizing trust and prior arrangement without needing explicit identification in the command.
τις (tis, G5100) — an indefinite pronoun meaning 'someone' or 'a certain one,' used more generally for unspecified persons, whereas δεῖνα implies a specific, known individual whose name is omitted.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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