כִּי

𐤊𐤉

kîy

H3588 conjunction

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain indicate cause, confirm, explain, contrast, result

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.

Semantic Range

because, for, that, indeed, surely, but, though, except, when, since, if, inasmuch as, although, until, nevertheless, now, while, as, then, truly, doubtless

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Root uncertain. While occasionally considered a full form of the particle כְּ (kə, 'as, like'), the relationship is primarily formal rather than semantic. ארי functions as a conjunction or explanatory particle, and its origins are debated among Semitists; some compare to similar conjunctions in other Northwest Semitic languages, but no definitive root connection is established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historically, כִּי appears throughout all periods of Biblical Hebrew, from the earliest poetic texts (e.g., the Song of Deborah) into the latest prose. Its function as a conjunction is broader and less precisely categorized than in English; context is critical for proper translation. In earlier texts, it often marks causal or explanatory clauses, especially following statements requiring justification or reason. In later Biblical texts, its usage broadens and sometimes overlaps with other subordinate conjunctions. It does not specify time or mode apart from what is implied in the context. Modern English translations often select among 'because,' 'for,' 'that,' 'indeed,' 'when,' or 'if' based on context, but no single rendering captures the full functional scope. Cognates with similar functions exist in other Northwest Semitic languages (e.g., Ugaritic, Aramaic). In poetry, כִּי can appear at the head of lines to emphasize affirmation or emphasis.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

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.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

כי (k-y (uncertain)) — cause, explanation, confirmation, contrast, result

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1065 בְּכִי and because

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3588-04 כִּי ki HC for for/because 4343
H3588-06 וְ/כִ֧י vekhi HC/C And if and because 105
H3588-02 כִֽי khi HC for because 30
H3588-01 הֲ/כִי֩ hakhi HTi/C Because for / because 5
H3588-03 כי khy HC for because 3
H3588-07 ו/כי vkhy HC/C and if and because 1
H3588-05 ל/כי lkhy HR/Sp2fs you have Go, you 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4488 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3588-04 Genesis 1:4 כִּי ki HC that for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 1:10 כִּי ki HC that for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 1:12 כִּי ki HC that for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 1:18 כִּי ki HC that for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 1:21 כִּי ki HC that for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 1:25 כִּי ki HC that for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 2:3 כִּ֣י ki HC because for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 2:5 כִּי֩ ki HC for for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 2:17 כִּ֗י ki HC for for/because
H3588-04 Genesis 2:23 כִּ֥י ki HC because for/because