διατί
diatí
G1302
SILEX Entry
Definition
Interrogative adverb meaning 'for what reason?' or 'on account of what?', used to introduce questions that seek the cause, motive, or explanation for an action or circumstance. It expresses a request for explanation or justification, often translated as 'why?' or 'for what reason?' in English. In narrative and dialogue, it may also introduce rhetorical questions expressing wonder, puzzlement, or criticism.
Semantic Range
why?, for what reason?, on account of what?, wherefore?, for what cause?
Root / Etymology
Formed from the preposition διά (diá, 'through, because of') and the interrogative pronoun τίς (tís, 'which? what?'), thus literally 'because of what?' or 'through what?'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, διατί is attested from the 5th century BCE and is used both in direct and indirect questions, sometimes interchangeably with ἵνα τί (hina ti) or τί (ti) alone, though διατί carries a slightly more formal or explicit request for a causal explanation. In the Septuagint and the New Testament, διατί frequently appears in direct speech, especially in narrative or legal contexts, and is the standard way to ask 'why?' with reference to cause or reason. The nuance is often more specific than simply τί, which can denote 'what?' or 'why?' in more general, sometimes idiomatic senses. English translations almost universally render διατί as 'why?' or 'wherefore', but the underlying sense is specifically about cause or reason, not mere identification or clarification. Its use is not limited to theological questions, but appears in everyday speech, legal proceedings, and philosophical discourse throughout the Hellenistic world.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from διά and τίς; through what cause ?, i.e. why?:--wherefore, why.
Root Family
δια-, τι- (diatí) — through (cause), what (thing or reason), to inquire about cause
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.