Lexical Definition

‎כִּי‎ kîy (kee) for ^H:Conj
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent

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.

• (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)
• often largely modified by other particles annexed

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

See Greek: δικαίως · οὗτος · πλήν

Extended Information

combination of: כִּי (כִּי+אִם)

• 1b) even though

Brown-Driver-Briggs

Also see: אִם

‎כִּי‎ conjunction that, for, when (Moabite id,: Phoenician ‎כ‎. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found in here, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaic ‎דֵּךְ‎ this (W^{SG 110 f.}); perhaps also ultimately akin with that, in order that, and then, enclitic, like Latin nam in quisnam?) —

1. that (ὅτι, German dass):
a. prefixed to sentences depending on an active verb, and occupying to it the place of an accusative: so constantly, after verbs of seeing, as Gen 1:10 ‎וַיַּרְא אֱלֹהִים כִּי טוֺב‎ and God saw that it was good, Gen 3:6; Gen 6:2; Gen 6:5; Gen 12:14 + often, hearing Gen 14:14; Gen 29:33, knowing Gen 22:12; Gen 24:14, telling Gen 3:11; Gen 12:18, repenting Gen 6:6; Gen 6:7, swearing Gen 22:16; Jer 22:5, believing Exod 4:5; Lam 4:12, remembering Ps 78:35, forgetting Job 39:15 ‎אָמַר‎ = command (late; in early Hebrew the words said are quoted) Job 36:10; Job 36:24 (‎זְכֹר‎ in a command) Job 37:20 b 1Chr 21:18 (contrast 2Sam 24:18) etc.; ‎טוֺב כּי‎ it is good that ... 2Sam 18:2 + (usually the infinitive with, as Gen 2:18 see ibid.); Gen 37:26 ‎מַהבֶּֿצַע‎ ‎כִּי נַהֲרֹג‎ what profit that we should slay (imperfect)...? Mal 3:14 what proft ‎כִּי שָׁמַרְנוּ‎ that we have kept (perfect)...? Job 22:3 ‎הַחֵפֶץ לְשַׁדַּי כִּי‎ is it pleasure to Shaddai that...? after a pronoun, as Ps 41:12* by this I know that thou hast pleasure in me, that my enemy cannot triumph over me, Ps 42:5* these things will I remember...that (or how) I used to go, etc., Ps 56:10* this I know that God is for me Job 13:16 (‎הוא‎). And with ‎כִּי‎ repeated pleonastic after an intervening clause 2Sam 19:7*; Jer 26:15 +; ‎כִּי ֗֗֗ וְכִי‎ Gen 3:6; Gen 29:12; Exod 4:31; Josh 2:9; Josh 8:21; Josh 10:1; 1Sam 31:7; 2Sam 5:12; 1Kgs 11:21; Jer 40:7; Jer 40:11 ‎לֵאמֹר ֗֗֗ וְכִי‎ Gen 45:26; Judg 10:10.
b. ‎כִּי‎ often introduces the direct narration (like , , and the Greek ὅτι recitativum, e.g. Luke 4:21), in which case it cannot be represented in English (except by inverted commas), Gen 21:30; Gen 29:33 and she said, ‎׳‎‎כִּי שׁמע י‎ Yahweh hath heard, etc.; Exod 3:12 = Judg 6:16 and he said, ‎כִּי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּ֑ךְ‎ I will be with thee, Josh 2:24; 1Sam 2:16 (see Dr) 1Sam 10:19 and ye have said to him, ‎כִּי מֶלָךְ תָּשִׂים עָלֵינוּ‎ Thou shalt set a king over us, 2Sam 11:23; 1Kgs 1:13; 1Kgs 20:5; Ruth 1:10, compare Ruth 2:21 (but in reply to a question ‎כִּי‎ may = because, see below 3; and so also in sentences giving the explanation of a proper name, Gen 26:22; Gen 29:32 (but De surely: see below), Exod 2:10 (compare Gen 4:25; Gen 41:51; Gen 41:52); in ‎כִּי מָה‎, introducing an expostulation, 1Sam 29:8; 1Kgs 11:22; 2Kgs 8:13, it gives the reason for a suppressed 'Why do you say this?').
c. especially after an oath ‎חַי אָ֫נִי‎, ‎׳‎‎חַי י‎ etc., introducing the fact sworn to, Gen 42:16 by the life of Pharaoh, ‎כִּי מְרַגְּלִים אַתֶּם‎ (I say) that ye are spies; but though Hebrew usage probably gave it an asseverative force, English idiom does not require it to be expressed: Num 14:22; 1Sam 20:3 as ‎׳‎‎י‎ liveth, ‎כִּי כְפֶשַׂע בֵּינִי וּבֵין הַמָּוֶת‎ there is but a step between me and death! 1Sam 26:16; 1Sam 29:6; Isa 49:18 +; 1Sam 14:44 ‎כֹּהיַֿעֲשֶׂה אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֺסִיף כִּי מוֺת תָּמוּת‎ thus may God do and more also: thou shalt surely die! 2Sam 3:35; 1Kgs 2:23; Ruth 1:17 and elsewhere — Note that ‎כִּי‎ when thus used is often repeated after an intervening clause, in order that its force may be fully preserved: Gen 1:39 ‎כִּי מוֺת יָמוּת‎ (‎אִםיֶֿשְׁנוֺ בְּיוֺנָתָן בְּנִי‎) ‎כִּי‎ ‎׳‎‎חַי י‎ 1Sam 25:34; 2Sam 2:27 ‎׳‎‎כִּי אָז וג‎ (‎לוּלֵא דִּבַּרְתָּ‎) ‎כִּי‎, 2Sam 3:9; 2Sam 15:21 Qr 1Kgs 1:30; Jer 22:24.
d. ‎כִּי‎ is used sometimes with advs. and interjs. to add force or distinctness to the affirmation which follows:
(a) so especially in ‎אַף כִּי‎ (see ‎אַף‎); ‎הֲכִי‎ is it that . . .? (as a neutral interrogative) 2Sam 9:1, (expecting a negative answer) Gen 29:15 is it that thou art my brother, and shalt (therefore) serve me for nothing? Job 6:22 is it that I have said, Give unto me? expressing surprise Gen 27:36 is it that he is called Jacob, and has (hence) supplanted me twice? 2Sam 23:19 an affirm. answer is required (which would imply ‎הֲלֹא כִי‎): read probably with the || 1Chr 11:25 ‎הִנּוֺ‎ be-hold, he, etc.; ‎אִםלֹֿא כִּי‎ Deut 32:30 were it not that .. .; ‎אָמְנָם כִּי‎ Job 12:2 of a truth (is it) that ye are the people, etc.; ‎אַךְ כִּי‎ 1Sam 8:9 ‎אֶפֶם כִּי‎ Num 13:28 +; ‎גַּם כִּי‎ Ruth 2:21 ‎הֲלֹא כִי‎ 1Sam 10:1 (but see ᵐ5 Dr), 2Sam 13:28 ‎הִנֵּה כִי‎ Ps 128:4 compare Ps 118:10 ‎כִּי אֲמִיַ˜לם‎ ‎׳‎‎בְּשֵׁם י‎ in the name of ‎׳‎‎י‎ (is it) that — or (I say) that — I will mow them down; Job 39:27 doth the vulture mount up at thy command, ‎וְכִי יָרִים קִנּוֺ‎ and (is it) that it (so) makes high its nest? Isa 36:19 have the gods of the nations delivered each his land etc.? . . . ‎וְכִי הִצִּילוּ‎ i.e. (Hi) and (is it) that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand? > (Ew^{§ 354 c} De Di) and that they have delivered Samaria out of my hand! = how much less (‎אַף כִּי‎) have they, etc.! (|| 2Kgs 18:34 ‎כִּי‎ alone, perhaps conformed by error to v2Kgs 18:35; 2Chr 32:15 ‎אַף כִּי‎, which however does not decide the sense of the original ‎וְכִי‎). 1Chr 29:14 ‎וְכִי מִי‎ read ‎ומי‎ or ‎כי מי‎
(b) in introducing the apodosis, especially in ‎כִּי עַתָּה‎ (chiefly after ‎לוּלֵא‎) indeed then . . ., Gen 31:42; Gen 43:10 for unless we had tarried ‎כִּי עַתָּה שַׁבְנוּ‎ surely then we had returned twice, Num 22:33 (read ‎לוּלֵי‎ for ‎אוּלַי‎); so 1Sam 14:30 ᵐ5 (after ‎לוּא‎), and 1Sam 13:13 Hi We (‎לֻא‎ for ‎לֹא‎); after ‎אִם‎ Job 8:6 surely then he will awake over thee, etc. (But elsewhere ‎כִּי עַתָּה‎ is simply for now, Gen 29:32; Job 7:21 +; or for then = for in that case, Exod 9:15; Num 22:29; Job 3:13; Job 6:3 +). It is dubious whether ‎כִּי אָז‎ has the same sense: for 2Sam 2:27; 2Sam 19:7* the ‎כִּי‎ in ‎כִּי אָז‎ may be merely resumptive of the ‎כִּי‎ recitation preceding (see a, c). Rare otherwise: Exod 22:22* if thou afflict him ‎כִּי אִםצָֿעֹק יִצְעַק‎ 'tis that (= indeed), if he cries unto me, I will hear him, Isa 7:9 if ye believe not ‎כִּי לֹא תֵאֵָ˜מנוּ ׃‎ indeed ye will not be established.
e. there seem also to be other cases in which ‎כִּי‎, standing alone, has an intensive force, introducing a statement with emphasis, yea, surely, certainly (German ja — a lighter particle than these English words): see in AV RV Exod 18:11; Num 23:23; 1Sam 17:25; 1Sam 20:26; 2Kgs 23:22; Isa 32:13; Isa 60:9; Jer 22:22; Jer 31:19; Hos 6:9; Hos 8:6; Hos 9:12; Hos 10:3; Amos 3:7; Ps 76:11*; Ps 77:12* (Ew Che), Prov 30:2 (but not if construed as RVm), Eccl 4:16; Eccl 7:7; Eccl 7:20; Job 28:1 +; Lam 3:22 (ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Ew Th Öttli) the mercies of ‎׳‎‎י‎, surely they are not consumed (read probably ‎תַמּוּ‎ or ‎תָֽמְמוּ‎ for ‎תמנו‎), Ruth 3:12 ‎כִּי אָמְנָם‎ yea, indeed. But it is doubtful whether ‎כִּי‎ has this force in all the passages for which scholars have had recourse to it, and whether in some it is not simply = for. De^{Prov 30:1} would restrict the usage to cases in which a suppressed clause may be understood. feminine that, expressing consecution, especially after a question implying surprise or deprecation: followed by perf., Gen 20:9 what have I sinned against thee ‎כִּי הֵבֵאתָ עָלַי‎ that thou hast brought upon me? 1Sam 22:8; Isa 22:1 what aileth thee, that thou art gone up, etc.? vIsa 22:16; Isa 36:5; Isa 52:5; Mic 4:9; Hab 2:18 followed by participle Judg 14:3; 1Sam 20:1; 1Kgs 18:9 how have I sinned that thou art giving, etc.? 2Kgs 5:7; Ezek 24:19 usually followed by imperfect Exod 3:11 who am I ‎כִּי אֵלֵךְ‎ that I should go, etc.? Exod 16:7; Judg 8:6; Judg 9:28; 2Kgs 8:13; Isa 7:13; Isa 29:16 (also perfect), Ps 8:5* what is man ‎כִּי תִזְכְּרֶנּוּ‎? Job 3:12 or why the breasts ‎כִּי אִינָָֽק ׃‎ that I should suck? Job 6:11 ‎מַהכֹּֿחִי‎ ‎כִּי אִַיַחֵל‎, Job 7:12; Job 7:17; Job 10:5f.; Job 13:25f.; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 +; after a negative, Gen 40:15 here also I have done nothing ‎כִּי שָׂמוּ‎ that they should have placed me in the dungeon, Ps 44:19*f. our heart has not turned backward, etc. ‎כִּי דִכִּיתָנוּ‎ that thou shouldst have crushed us, etc., Isa 43:22 not me hast thou called on, ‎כִּי יָגַעְתָּ בִּי‎ that thou shouldst have wearied thyself with me, Hos 1:6 (see RV), Job 41:2*; Ruth 1:12 I am too old to have an husband ‎כִּי אָמַרְתִּי‎ that I should have said, etc. (compare Ew^{§ 337 a}; Dr^{§ 39} δ).
g. added to preps. ‎כִּי‎ converts them, like ‎אֲשֶׁר‎, into conjs. ..., as ‎יַעַן כִּי‎ because that...: see below ‎יַעַן‎, ‎עַד‎, ‎עַל‎, ‎עֵקֶב‎, ‎תַּחַת‎.

2. a. Of time, when, of the past ‎וַיְהִי כִּי‎ Gen 6:1 (compare Bu^{Urg. 6}), Gen 26:8; Gen 27:1; 2Sam 6:13; 2Sam 7:1; 2Sam 19:26* + (‎כַּאֲשֶׁר‎ and especially ‎כְּ‎ with infinitive, are more frequently); ‎וְהָיָה כִּי‎ (simple ‎וְ‎) 1Sam 1:12; 1Sam 17:48; Josh 22:7; Judg 2:18; Judg 12:5 ‎והיה כי‎ ‎יאמרו‎ and it would be, whenever (frequently) they said, Jer 44:19 (participle), Hos 11:1; Ps 32:3 ‎כי החרשׁתי‎ when I was silent, Job 31:21; Job 31:26; Job 31:29 of present (usually with imperfect) as Exod 18:16 ‎כִּי יִהְיֶה לָהֶם דָּבָר‎ when they have a matter, 1Sam 24:20*; Isa 1:12; Isa 30:21; Jer 14:12; Zech 7:5; Zech 7:6; Mal 1:8; Ps 49:19* and men praise thee ‎כִּי תֵיטִיב לָ֑ךְ‎ when thou doest well to thyself, Ps 102:1*; Ps 127:5 +, with perfect Ezek 3:19-21; Ezek 33:9; Prov 11:15; Prov 23:22 especially of future, as Gen 4:12 ‎כִּי תַעֲבֹד אֶתהָֿאֲדָמָה‎ when thou shalt till the ground it shall not, etc., Gen 24:41; Gen 30:33; Gen 31:49; Gen 32:18*; Exod 7:9 when Pharaoh shall speak unto you, Deut 4:25; Deut 6:20 +; in phrase (‎׳‎‎תאֹמַר וג‎) ‎וְכִי תאֹמְרוּ‎ Lev 25:20; Deut 18:21; Isa 8:19; Isa 36:7; Jer 13:22 and especially in ... ‎וְהָיָה כִּי‎ Gen 12:12; Gen 46:33; Deut 6:10; Deut 15:16; 1Sam 10:7; 1Sam 25:30; Isa 8:21; Isa 10:12 + often; with perfect Isa 16:12; 1Chr 17:11 (altered from imperfect 2Sam 7:12); with participle (unusual) Num 33:51; Num 34:2; Deut 11:31; Deut 18:9.
b. elsewhere ‎כִּי‎ has a force approximating to if, though it usually represents a case as more likely to occur than ‎אִם‎: — (mostly with imperfect) Gen 38:16; Num 5:20; Num 10:32; Deut 6:25; Deut 7:17; Deut 28:2; Deut 28:13; 1Sam 20:13; 2Sam 19:8*; 2Kgs 4:29; 2Kgs 18:22; Jer 38:15; Prov 4:8; Job 7:13 (‎כי אמרתי‎ when I say), Job 19:28 often in laws, as Exod 21:14; Exod 21:33; Exod 21:35; Exod 21:37*; Exod 22:4*; Exod 22:5* etc., Deut 13:13*; Deut 14:24; Deut 15:7; Deut 15:12; Deut 17:2; Deut 18:6; Deut 18:21 etc.; sometimes, in particular, to state a principle broadly, after which special cases are introduced by ‎אִם‎, as Exod 21:2 when (‎כִּי‎) thou buyest a Hebrew servant, he shall serve thee six years, after which vExod 21:3-5 follow four special cases with ‎אִם‎ if: so Exod 21:7 (‎כי‎), vExod 21:8-11 (‎אם‎); vExod 21:18 (‎כי‎), vExod 21:19 (‎אם‎); vExod 21:20 (‎כי‎), vExod 21:21 (‎אם‎); vExod 21:22 f; vExod 21:28-32; Lev 1:2 (‎כי‎), vLev 1:3 vLev 1:10 (‎אם‎) Lev 4:2; Lev 4:3; Lev 4:13; Lev 4:27; Lev 4:32; Lev 13:2ff. Num 30:3*ff. +; though this distinction is not uniformly observed, contrast e.g. Exod 21:5 with Deut 15:16; Num 5:19 and vNum 5:20. — N.B. with ‎כִּי‎ = when or if, the subject is often prefixed for distinctness and emphasis: 1Kgs 8:37 ‎רָעָב‎ ‎׳‎‎כִּייִֿהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ דֶּבֶר כִּי יִהְיֶה וג‎, Isa 28:18; Mic 5:4* ‎אַשּׁוּר‎ ‎כִּייָֿבאֹ בְאַרְצֵנוּ‎, Ps 62:11*; Ezek 3:19 (‎וְאַתָּה‎), Ezek 14:9; Ezek 14:13; Ezek 18:5; Ezek 18:18; Ezek 18:21; Ezek 33:6 (compare vEzek 33:2); and especially in laws of P, as ‎כִּי ֗֗֗ אָדָם‎ Lev 1:2; Lev 13:2, ... ‎נֶפֶשׁ כִּי‎ Lev 2:1; Lev 4:2; Lev 5:1; Lev 5:4; Lev 5:15, similarly Lev 15:2; Lev 15:16; Lev 15:19; Lev 15:25; Lev 22:12; Lev 22:13; Lev 22:14 etc., rather differently Num 5:20.
c. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though: —
(a) with imperfect Jer 4:30 (3 t. in verse); Jer 14:12; Jer 49:16 ‎כִּיתַֿגְבִּיהַּ‎ ‎כַּנֶּשֶׁר קִנֶּ֑ךָ‎ though thou make high like the vulture thy nest, I will bring thee down thence, Jer 51:53; Hos 13:15; Zech 8:6; Ps 37:24; Ps 49:19*f. though in his lifetime he bless himself ... he shall come, etc., perhaps also Jer 46:23 Ew (but Hi Gf Ke for), Jer 50:11 Ew Ke (Hi yea); and strengthened by ‎גַּם‎, ‎גַּם כִּי‎ Isa 1:5; Ps 23:4 (compare Dr^{§ 143});
(b) with perf. (rare) Mic 7:8 ‎כִּי נָפַלְתִּי קָ֑מְתִּי‎ though I have fallen, I rise, Nah 1:10 (si vera 1.), Ps 21:12* (Hi Ew Now), Ps 119:88 (Ew De).

3. Because, since ὅτι —
a. Gen 3:14 because thou hast done this, cursed art thou, etc., vGen 3:17; Gen 18:20; Gen 17:20 the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah — because it is great ... (subject prefixed for emphasis: compare 2 N.B.) Isa 28:15 in answer to a question, Gen 27:20; Exod 1:19; Exod 18:15; 2Sam 19:43* +. Enunciating the conditions under which a future action is conceived as possible (German indem) Lev 22:9; Deut 4:29 ‎כי תדרשׁנו‎, Deut 12:20 (see Dr), vDeut 12:25 vDeut 12:28; Deut 13:19*; Deut 14:24; Deut 16:15; Deut 19:6; Deut 19:9 +, 1Kgs 8:35 (compare v1Kgs 8:33 ‎אֲשֶׁר‎), v1Kgs 8:36 ‎כִּי תוֺרֵם‎, Prov 4:8b.
b. more commonly the causal sentence follows, as Gen 2:3 and God blessed the seventh day ‎׳‎‎כִּי בוֺ שָׁבַת וג‎ because on it he rested, etc., Gen 4:25 etc., in which case it may often be rendered for, Gen 2:5; Gen 2:28; Gen 3:20; Gen 5:24; Gen 6:7; Gen 6:12; Gen 6:13; Ps 6:3* heal me ‎כִּי נִבְהֲלוּ עֲצָמָ֑י‎ for my bones are vexed, Ps 10:14; Ps 25:16; Ps 27:10 + very often specifically after verbs expressive of mental emotions, as rejoicing Isa 14:29; Ps 58:11*, being angry Gen 31:35; Gen 45:5, fearing Gen 43:18; Ps 49:17* etc. Iron. 1Kgs 18:27 for he is a god etc. (4 t.); Prov 30:4; Job 38:5 ‎כִּי תֵדָ֑ע‎ for or since thou knowest. With subject prefixed Ps 128:2. Repeated (with anacoluthon) Isa 49:19.
c. the causal relation expressed by ‎כִּי‎ is sometimes subtle, especially in poetry, and not apparent without careful study of a passage. Thus sometimes it justifies a statement or description by pointing to a pregnant fact which involves it, as Isa 3:8a Job 6:21 (ground of the comparison vJob 6:15-20), Job 14:16 (For...: ground of the wishes expressed vJob 14:13-15), Job 16:22 (ground of vJob 16:20f.) Job 30:26 (For ...), or by pointing to a general truth which it exemplifies Job 5:6 (reason why complaining vJob 5:2-5 is foolish), Job 15:34; Job 23:14 sometimes it is explicative, justifying a statement by unfolding the particulars which establish or exemplify it 2Sam 5:7; 2Sam 7:8; Isa 9:4*; Isa 10:8-11; Isa 13:10 (development of vIsa 13:9a); Isa 32:6 f. (developing the characters of the ‎נָבָל‎ and ‎כִּילַי‎, and so explaining why they will no longer be esteemed vIsa 32:5); Job 11:16ff. (explicit of vJob 11:15b), Job 18:8 ff. (justifying vJob 18:7), Job 22:26 ff. (justifying vJob 22:25); elsewhere the cause is expressed indirectly or figuratively Isa 2:6 (reason why invitation vIsa 2:5 is needed), Isa 5:10 (sterility of the soil the cause of the desolation vIsa 5:9), Isa 18:5; Isa 28:8 (proof of the intoxication vIsa 28:7), Isa 31:7 (reason for the exhortation vIsa 31:6: the certainty that the folly of idolatry will soon be recognized), Job 7:21 (for soon it will be too late to pardon), Job 27:8-10 (Job wishes his enemy the lot of the wicked, because this is so hopeless); or ‎כִּי‎ relates not to the see which immediately precedes or follows, but to several, as Isa 7:16f. (Isa 7:17 specially the ground of the people being reduced to simple fare vIsa 7:15), Isa 21:6ff. (ground of the statements vIsa 21:1-5), Job 4:5 (ground of vJob 4:2), Job 14:7-12 (Job 14:10-12 specially the ground for the appeal in vJob 14:6), Job 23:10-13 (ground why God cannot be found vJob 23:8f.), Ps 73:21 (ground not of vPs 73:20, but of the general train of thought vPs 73:2); similarly Gen 4:24; Deut 18:14; Jer 30:11 the reason lies not in the words immediately after ‎כִּי‎, but in the second part of the sentence; or, on the other hand, it may state the reason for a particular word, Isa 28:20 (justifying 'nought but terror' vIsa 28:19), Job 23:17 (God's hostility vJob 23:16 the cause of his misery, not the calamity as such). Sometimes also ‎כִּי‎, in a poetic orrhetorical style, gives the reason for a thought not expressed but implied, especially the answer to a question; Isa 28:11 (the mockeries of vIsa 28:10 have a meaning) 'for with men of strange lips, etc. he will speak unto this people,' who will retort the mockeries, charged with a new and terrible meaning, upon those who uttered them (Isa 28:13); = (no,) for Isa 28:28 (see RVm), Job 22:2b no, he that is wise is profitable to himself, Job 31:18; Job 39:14 (see vJob 39:13b), Ps 44:24* (he cannot do this, vPs 44:23*) for for thy sake are we killed, etc., Ps 130:4 no, with thee is forgiveness; = (yes,) for Isa 49:25 (see the question vIsa 49:24), Isa 66:8.
d. ‎כִּי ֗֗֗ כִּי‎ ἀσυνδέτως sometimes introduce the proximate and ultimate cause respectively, Gen 3:19; Gen 26:7; Gen 43:32; Gen 47:20; Exod 23:33 for [else] thou wilt serve their gods, for it will be a snare to thee, Isa 2:6 (twice in verse); Isa 3:8 (twice in verse); Isa 6:5a, b; Isa 10:22f.; Job 6:3f.; Job 8:8; Job 8:9 (twice in verse); Job 24:17 (twice in verse); Job 29:11f.; sometimes they introduce two co-ordinate causes (where we should insert and), Exod 23:21; Exod 23:22; Isa 6:5b,c I am undone, because I am of unclean lips..., because mine eyes have seen ‎׳‎‎י‎ of hosts, Isa 15:5 (twice in verse); Isa 15:6 (twice in verse); Isa 15:8; Isa 15:9; Zeph 3:8f.; Job 15:25; Job 15:27; Job 20:19f.; Job 31:11f. But ‎כִּי ֗֗֗ וְכִי‎ also occurs, Gen 33:11; Num 5:20 (if), Josh 7:15; Judg 6:30; 1Sam 19:4; 1Sam 22:17; 1Kgs 2:26; Isa 65:16 +.
e. after a negative ‎כִּי‎ for becomes = but (German sondern): Gen 17:15 thou shalt not call her name Sarai, ‎כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָהּ‎ for (= but) Sarah shall be her name, Gen 24:3f.; Gen 45:8; Exod 1:19; Exod 16:8 not against us are your murmurings, ‎׳‎‎כי עליֿ‎ for (they are) against ‎׳‎‎י‎ = but against ‎׳‎‎י‎, Deut 21:17; 1Sam 6:3 (‎אַל‎), 1Sam 27:1 (see Dr), 1Kgs 21:17; Isa 10:7; Isa 28:27; Isa 29:23; Isa 30:5; Ps 44:8*; Ps 118:17 + often; so in ‎לא כי‎ nay, for = nay, but, as Gen 18:15 ‎לֹא כִּי צָחָֽקְתְּ‎ nay, but thou didst laugh, Gen 19:2; Gen 42:12; Josh 5:14; 1Sam 2:16 MSS ᵐ5 (see Dr), 1Sam 12:12; 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 2:30; 1Kgs 3:22; 1Kgs 11:22; Isa 30:16 nay, but we will flee upon horses.

Note. — ‎כִּי‎ is sometimes of difficult and uncertain interpretation, and in some of the passages quoted a different explanation is tenable. Authorities especially read the Hebrew differently, when the choice is between for and yea. E.g. Isa 8:23* Ges Ew^{§ 330 b} doch (no, but); Hi Di for (taking vIsa 8:22 as RVm); Ch surely: Isa 15:1 Ges Ew Hi Di surely; De for: Isa 39:8 Ges Hi De surely; Di for (explanation of ‎טוֺב‎): Ezek 11:16 Hi Ke Co surely; Ew Sm because. — In Exod 20:25 the tense of ‎וַתְּחַלֲלֶהָ‎ makes it probably that ‎כֹּי‎ is for (Dr^{§ 153}). Job 22:29 is taken with least violence to usage (‎גַּאֲוָה‎) as Hi When they humble thee, and thou sayest (= complainest) Pride! he will save, etc. ‎כִּי אִםֿ‎ (the ‎אִם‎ always followed by makkeph, except Gen 15:4; Num 35:33; Neh 2:2, where ‎כִּיאִֿם‎ is read by the Mass.: Fr^{MM 241}) —

1. each particle retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
a. that if Jer 26:15 after an oath (‎כִּי‎ not translated: see ‎כִּי‎ 1 c) if 1Sam 14:39; Jer 22:24, surely not (‎אִם‎ 1 b 2) 2Sam 3:35; 1Sam 25:34 (‎כִּי‎ being resumptive of the ‎כִּי‎ before ‎לוּלֵי‎: see ‎כִּי‎ 1 c); Exod 22:22* (in apodosis) indeed if . . . (see ‎כִּי‎ 1 d).
b. for if Exod 8:17*; Exod 9:2; Exod 10:4; +, for though Isa 10:22; Jer 37:20; Amos 5:22, but if Jer 7:5.

2. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause —
a. limiting the preceding clause, except (after a negative, or an oath, or question, the equivalent of a negative) — the most usual term for expressing this idea: followed by verb Gen 32:27* I will not let thee go; ‎כִּי אִםבֵּֿרַכְתָּֽנִי‎ literally but (‎כִּי‎ 3 e) if thou bless me (that is, I will let thee go), i.e., subordinating the second clause to the first, 'I will not let thee go, except thou bless me;' Lev 22:6 he shall not eat of the holy things ‎כִּי אִםרָֿחַץ‎ except he have washed his flesh, Isa 65:6; Amos 3:7; Ruth 3:18; Lam 5:21f. (Ew Näg Ke Che Öttli), turn thou us unto thee, etc., unless thou have utterly rejected us, (and) art very wroth with us (= Or hast thou utterly rejected us? etc. Ew Öttli); followed by a noun, except, but, Gen 28:17 this is nothing ‎׳‎‎כִּי אִםבֵּֿית הָאֱ‎ but the house of God, Gen 32:9* he withholds from me nothing ‎כִּי אִםאֿוֺתָךְ‎ except thee, Lev 21:2; Num 14:30 (after ‎אִם‎), Num 26:65 (compare Num 32:12 ‎בִּלְתִּי‎), Josh 14:4; 1Sam 30:17; 1Sam 30:22; 2Sam 12:3 ‎אֵין כֹּל כִּי אִםֿ‎ (so 2Kgs 4:2), 2Kgs 19:29; 1Kgs 17:1 (after ‎אִם‎), 1Kgs 22:31; 2Kgs 5:15; 2Kgs 9:35; 2Kgs 13:7; Jer 22:17; Jer 44:14 +; after ‎אַל‎, 2Chr 23:6 followed by an adverb clause, Gen 42:15; Num 35:33; 2Sam 3:13 (but ‎כִּי אִם‎ and ‎לִפְנֵי‎ are mutually exclusive: read probably with ᵐ5 ‎כִּי אִםהֵֿבֵיאתָ‎); after an interrogative Isa 42:19 who is blind ‎כִּי אִםעַֿבְדִּי‎ but my servant ? (who is blind in comparison with him ?), Deut 10:12; Mic 6:8; Eccl 5:10*; 2Chr 2:5*.
b. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic (compare ‎אִם‎ 1 c), so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but (= a slightly strengthened ‎כִּי‎), Gen 15:4 this man shall not be thy heir; ‎׳‎‎כִּי אִםאֲֿשֶׁר וג‎ but one that shall come forth from thy own bowels, he shall be thy heir (compare 1Kgs 8:19), 1Kgs 32:29 thy name shall no more be called Jacob ‎כִּי אִםיִֿשְׂרָאֵל‎ but Israel (compare ‎כִּי‎ alone 1Kgs 17:15), 1Kgs 47:18 we will not hide it from my lord, but the money . . . is all made over to, etc., Exod 12:9 not boiled in water, but roast with fire, Deut 7:5; Deut 12:5; Deut 16:6; Josh 23:8; 1Sam 2:15 he will not take of thee boiled flesh ‎כִּי אִםחָֽֿי׃‎ but raw, 1Sam 8:19 ‎לֹא כִּי אִםמֶֿלֶךְ יִהְיֶה עָלֵינוּ‎ nay, but a king shall be over us (compare ‎כי‎ alone, 1Sam 10:19; 1Sam 12:12), 1Sam 21:5*; 2Sam 5:6; 1Kgs 18:18; 2Kgs 10:23 (‎פֶּן‎), Isa 33:21; Isa 55:10; Isa 55:11; Isa 59:2; Jer 3:10; Jer 7:32; Jer 9:23*; Jer 16:15; Jer 20:3; Jer 44:10; Ps 1:2; Ps 1:4; Prov 23:17 (‎אַל‎) Psalm +; with the principal verb repeated (as Gen 15:4; 1Kgs 8:19), Lev 21:14; Ezek 44:22; Num 10:30; 2Kgs 23:23; Jer 39:12 Kt (Qr omit ‎אִם‎), compare Jer 7:23. Occasionally in colloquial language, the negative, it seems, is left to be understood: 1Sam 26:10 as ‎׳‎‎י‎ liveth, (by no means,) ‎כִּי אִם‎ but ‎׳‎‎י‎ shall smite him, 2Sam 13:33 Kt (by no means,) but Amnon alone is dead (Qr omits ‎אִם‎). Followed by imperative Isa 65:18; Ezek 12:23; Jer 39:12; 2Chr 25:8. Sometimes also, though rarely (and not certainly), ‎כִּי אִם‎ appears to have the force of only even without a previous negative: Gen 40:14 ‎כִּי אִםזְֿכַרְתָּנִי אִתְּךָ‎ only have (?) me in remembrance with thyself (but read perhaps ‎אַךְ‎ for ‎כִּי‎; see Dr^{§ 119} δ n., the use of a bare perfect, without ‎לוּ‎, or even waw consecutive, to express a wish or command is unexampled), Num 24:22 ‎כִּי אִםֿ‎ ‎יִהְיֶה לְבָעֵר קָֽיִן׃‎ only, nevertheless, the Kenite shall be for extermination (compare Di), Job 42:8 (De Di) ‎כִּי אִםפָּֿנָיו אֶשָּׂא‎
c. after an oath ‎כִּי אִם‎ appears to = a strengthened ‎כִּי‎ (compare ‎בִּלְתִּי‎ ‎אִם‎, ‎אִם ׃עַד אִם‎ 1 c), introducing the fact sworn to (see ‎כִּי‎ 1 c): 2Kgs 5:20 as ‎׳‎‎י‎ liveth, ‎כִּי אִםרַֿצְתִּי‎ surely I will run (perfect of certitude) after him, etc., Jer 51:14 (Ges Hi Gf RV) surley I will fill thee with men (namely, assailants), etc. (but Ew Ke Ch treat the particles as separate (‎כִּי‎ as ‎כִּי‎ 1 c): though I have filled thee with men —; i.e. increased thy population, — yet shall they — the assailants — lift up the shout against thee), 2Sam 15:21 Kt (Qr omits ‎אִם‎); after an assever. particle Ruth 3:12 Kt ‎וְעַתָּה כִּי אָמְנָם‎ ‎כִּי אִם גּוֺאֵל אָנֹכִי‎ and now, yea indeed, surely I am thy kinsman (Qr omits ‎אִם‎); the oath being understood, Judg 15:7 if ye do thus, ‎כִּי אִםנִֿקַּמְתִּי‎ surely (Ges hercle) I will avenge myself, 1Sam 21:6* ‎כִּי אִםאִֿשָּׁה עֲצֻרָה לָנוּ‎ of a truth women have been kept from us, etc., 1Kgs 20:6 surely tomorrow I will send, etc., Prov 23:18 (see De) surely there is a reward; perhaps also Job 42:8.

Also see: כֵּן

‎כִּי עַל כֵּן‎ forasmuch as, a peculiar phrase found Gen 18:5; Gen 19:8; Gen 33:10; Gen 38:26; Num 10:31; Num 14:43; Judg 6:22; 2Sam 18:20 Qr (rightly), Jer 29:28; Jer 38:4 — literally for therefore, emphasizing the ground pleonastically (Ew^{§ 353 a} ). The original force of the phrase is traceable in some of the passages in which it occurs, as Gen 18:5 let me fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort your heart; ‎כִּיעַֿלכֵּֿן עֲבַרְתֶּם‎ ‎עַל עַבְדְּכֶם‎ for therefore (that is, to partake of such hospitality) are ye come to your servant, Num 14:43 the Amalekite and the Canaanite are there, and ye will fall by the sword, ‎כִּיעַֿלכֵּֿן שַׁבְתֶּם‎ for therefore (to encounter such a fate) have ye turned back from ‎׳‎‎י‎ etc.: but in process of time the distinct sense of its component parts was no doubt gradually obscured, and it thus came to be used conventionally, as a mere particle of causation, even where there was no preceding statement to which ‎עַל כֵּן‎ therefore could be explicitly referred. ‎אֲשֶׁר עַל כֵּן‎ appears to be used similarly (compare ‎אֲשֶׁר‎ 8 c) Job 34:27.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References