אִיתַי (i.tay)
i.tay
there is
A:PartQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:Part
Word Overview
The Hebrew word itay functions as an existential particle, essentially meaning "there is" or "there are." It serves to assert the reality or presence of something within a sentence. In the biblical text, this term appears fifteen times, with a notable concentration in the books of Ezra and Daniel, where it often introduces statements about existing conditions or entities.
Its usage is straightforward but vital for establishing context. For instance, in Ezra 4:15, itay helps frame the historical record by confirming that certain documents were indeed found. The word does not carry complex emotional or theological weight; rather, it acts as a grammatical anchor, affirming that what follows actually exists or has occurred. Translators typically render it simply as "there is" to preserve this clear, declarative function.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word itay is a simple existential particle meaning "there is." It appears fifteen times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Ezra and Daniel. Its role is to assert that something exists or has happened. In Daniel 2:11, it confirms that no human can reveal secrets. In Daniel 3:29, it declares that no other god can deliver like the Lord.
This word grounds our faith in reality. It tells us that God’s presence is not a theory but a fact. When we read these texts, we see that historical events and divine actions are real. The Bible does not leave us guessing about what is true. It states clearly what exists.
For your daily life, this offers stability. You can trust the words of Scripture because they describe actual things. Whether it is a decree from a king or a promise from God, the text affirms its reality. This certainty helps us rest in what we know to be true.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- there11×
- are/ you2×
- ¿/ [are]/ you1×
- there/ it1×
- are/ we1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אִיתַ֞י2×
- אִיתַ֗י2×
- הַֽ/אִיתָ֣/ךְ1×
- אִיתֽוֹ/הִי\׃1×
- אִיתַי֙1×
- אִיתַ֨י1×
- אִיתַ֥י1×
- אִיתַ֤י1×
- אִיתַ֣י1×
- אִיתַ֣/נָא1×
- אִיתַ֖י1×
- אִיתַ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:11
It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
Itay asserts the non-existence of any human capable of revealing the king's secret, highlighting the limits of human wisdom.
-
Daniel 3:29
Therefore I make a decree that every people, nation, and language which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill, because there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.”
Itay declares the existence of no other god who can deliver like the Lord, serving as the basis for Nebuchadnezzar's decree.
-
Daniel 5:11
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him. The king, Nebuchadnezzar, your father—yes, the king, your father—made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers,
Itay confirms the presence of Daniel in the kingdom, validating his past wisdom and current ability to interpret the writing.