כִּ֥י
𐤊𐤉
kîy
When
A conjunctive particle used to introduce causal, explanatory, confirmatory, concessive, temporal, and resultative clauses, depending on context. Most often, כִּי introduces clauses indicating cause ('because'), reason, or explanation, but can also function as a marker of result ('that'), contrast ('but', 'though'), affirmation ('indeed', 'surely'), or temporal sequence ('when', 'since'). Its precise meaning is determined by its syntactic context, and it often marks the connection or development of thought within a sentence.
Numbers 33:51 · Word #7
Lexicon H3588
| Lemma | כִּי |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤊𐤉 |
| Transliteration | kîy |
| Strong's | H3588 |
| Definition | A conjunctive particle used to introduce causal, explanatory, confirmatory, concessive, temporal, and resultative clauses, depending on context. Most often, כִּי introduces clauses indicating cause ('because'), reason, or explanation, but can also function as a marker of result ('that'), contrast ('but', 'though'), affirmation ('indeed', 'surely'), or temporal sequence ('when', 'since'). Its precise meaning is determined by its syntactic context, and it often marks the connection or development of thought within a sentence. |
Morphology HC
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | C — Conjunction — Connects words or clauses |
Common Translation
| Phrase | When |
SIBI-P1 Translation H3588-04
for/because
| Morphological Notes | Conjunction particle (HC); indeclinable; introduces causal, explanatory, confirmatory, concessive, temporal, or result clauses. |
| Rendering Rationale | As a conjunction with uncertain root, כִּי fundamentally signals causal or explanatory linkage. Rendering it as "for/because" preserves its core function of introducing reason or explanation without imposing specific contextual nuance. |
View full lexicon entry for H3588 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
when
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | P1 'for/because' does not fit the temporal function of כִּי here. In this context, it clearly introduces the circumstance of action, so 'when' is the most accurate rendering. Root is correct but lexical function was off. |