δεῖνα (deina)
deina
a certain one
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word deina functions as a placeholder for a specific person whose identity is either forgotten or deemed unimportant to state. Translators typically render it as "a certain one," signaling that the text refers to a real individual without naming them. This usage appears only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 26:18, where Jesus instructs his disciples to tell the owner of the house that he will celebrate the Passover there.
Its etymology likely connects to a sense of strangeness or awe, suggesting the speaker cannot immediately recall the name or considers it irrelevant. By using this indefinite pronoun, the narrative focuses attention on the action and the divine plan rather than on the social status or identity of the host. It serves as a literary device that highlights the significance of the event over the person involved.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word δεῖνα appears only once in the New Testament, translated as "a certain one." In Matthew 26:18, Jesus uses this phrase to identify an unnamed host for the Last Supper. This small detail reminds us that God often works through ordinary people whose names we may never know.
When a text highlights an anonymous figure, it shifts our focus from human status to divine purpose. The identity of the host matters less than his willingness to open his home. This encourages us to serve faithfully, trusting that our contributions matter to God even when no one else notices our names.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a certain man1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δεῖνα1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 26:18
He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’”
This is the sole New Testament occurrence where δεῖνα identifies an unnamed host, emphasizing that the divine plan proceeds regardless of human recognition.