δεῖνα

Pronunciation Guide: DAY-nah

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1170: δεῖνα (deina) is an indefinite pronoun that functions as a placeholder when a specific name is either unknown, unimportant, or intentionally withheld. It is equivalent to the English expressions “so-and-so,” “such a one,” or “a certain person.” In the New Testament, it appears only once, acting as a discreet reference to an unnamed individual who would host the Last Supper.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Indefinite Pronoun
• Origin: Classical Greek
• Rarely used in Koine Greek literature
• Appears only once in the New Testament
• Function: Used when the speaker chooses not to name a specific person
• Usage context: Narrative passages only

δεῖνα Morphology:

• δεῖνα (nominative singular) – such a one
• τοῦ δεῖνος (genitive singular) – of such a one
• τῷ δεῖνι (dative singular) – to/for such a one
• τὸν δεῖνα (accusative singular) – such a one (as object)

Origin & History

The term δεῖνα has roots in classical Greek literature where it functioned as a placeholder for unnamed persons or things. In works like Plato’s dialogues, the word appears when the speaker doesn’t wish to specify a particular individual. For example, in Plato’s “Republic,” he uses the term when discussing hypothetical situations involving unnamed persons.

In the Septuagint (LXX), δεῖνα does not appear, making its single New Testament occurrence even more striking. This suggests that while the word existed in the Greek language, it was not commonly used in Jewish-Greek writings. Its appearance in Matthew represents a rare linguistic bridge between classical Greek usage and New Testament narrative technique, demonstrating how Matthew employed sophisticated Greek literary devices in his gospel account.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A specific but unnamed person known to the speaker but deliberately left unidentified
• A person whose identity is known but considered unimportant to specify
• A placeholder used when discretion or secrecy is required
• A linguistic device signaling the reader to focus on the action rather than the person’s identity

δεῖνα Translation Options:

• “Such a one” – Preserves the indefinite nature while indicating a specific reference
• “So-and-so” – Captures the colloquial sense of an undisclosed identity
• “A certain person” – Emphasizes that a specific individual is meant without naming them
• “The one” – Implies known identity while maintaining anonymity
• “That person” – Indicates distance while acknowledging specificity

Biblical Usage

The term δεῖνα appears only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 26:18, where Yeshua (Jesus) instructs His disciples to go into Jerusalem and say to “a certain man” (πρὸς τὸν δεῖνα) that the Teacher wishes to celebrate Passover at his house. This singular usage is significant, as it occurs at a pivotal moment in the Messiah’s ministry—the preparation for His final Passover meal, which would become the Last Supper.

The use of δεῖνα in this context may reflect security concerns, as Yeshua was aware of Judas’s impending betrayal. By not explicitly naming the householder, Yeshua ensured that the preparation of the Passover meal could proceed without interference. This demonstrates a careful, deliberate choice in communication that preserved the secrecy of the location until the appointed time.

• “Go into the city to such a one [πρὸς τὸν δεῖνα], and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”‘” Matthew 26:18

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish culture, maintaining secrecy around the Passover celebration would have been understood against the backdrop of Roman occupation and religious tensions. The use of δεῖνα reflects a common practice of discretion when speaking about sensitive matters in public. It allowed for communication about important arrangements without revealing details to potential enemies or informants.

The unnamed householder in Jerusalem would have been taking a significant risk in hosting Yeshua for Passover, considering the growing hostility from religious authorities. The use of δεῖνα in Matthew’s account respects this individual’s anonymity while acknowledging their crucial role in salvation history. Some scholars suggest this person may have been a well-known member of the early Christian community by the time Matthew’s Gospel was written, but was intentionally left unnamed for protection or humility.

Theological Significance

The single appearance of δεῖνα in the New Testament carries profound theological significance. At the moment when Yeshua prepares for His sacrificial death, He employs discretion and protection for those who serve Him. This demonstrates יהוה (Yahweh)’s careful providence even in the smallest details leading up to the central redemptive act of history.

The unnamed “such a one” represents all believers who make room for the Messiah in their lives without seeking recognition. This anonymous figure provided the very space where Yeshua would institute the New Covenant in His blood. The use of δεῖνα reminds us that many crucial participants in God’s redemptive plan remain unnamed in Scripture, yet their obedience makes possible the unfolding of divine purposes. It speaks to the Messiah’s sovereignty in orchestrating the details of His passion while protecting those who served Him in a hostile environment.

Personal Application

The appearance of δεῖνα in the preparation for the Last Supper invites us to consider our own role in God’s unfolding plan. Are we willing to be “such a one” who makes room for the Messiah even if our contribution remains anonymous? The unnamed householder never appears in Scripture again, yet his obedience facilitated one of the most significant moments in human history—the institution of the Lord’s Supper.

When we serve God faithfully in small, unrecognized ways, we may be participating in divine purposes far greater than we realize. Just as the “certain man” provided the upper room without fanfare or recognition, our seemingly small acts of obedience may become sacred spaces where God accomplishes His redemptive work. This challenges us to value faithfulness over recognition and to trust that no act of service to the Messiah, however hidden, is insignificant in His kingdom.

Related Words

• τις (tis, pronounced “tis”) – “someone, anyone, a certain one”; a more common indefinite pronoun that appears frequently in the NT, but lacks the specific pointer quality of δεῖνα. See G5100
• ἕτερος (heteros, pronounced “HEH-ter-os”) – “another, different one”; used when distinguishing between two individuals or groups, rather than obscuring identity. See G2087
• ἄλλος (allos, pronounced “AH-los”) – “another of the same kind”; contrasts with δεῖνα by specifying similarity rather than obscuring identity. See G243
• ὁ (ho, pronounced “ho”) – the definite article “the”; provides definiteness where δεῖνα provides anonymity while maintaining specificity. See G3588
• οὗτος (houtos, pronounced “HOO-tos”) – “this one”; a demonstrative pronoun that points clearly to someone, unlike the intentional vagueness of δεῖνα. See G3778

Did you Know?

• Modern Greek still uses a form of δεῖνα in everyday speech when referring to someone whose name the speaker either can’t recall or doesn’t wish to mention. This continuity demonstrates how deeply embedded this linguistic concept is in Greek communication patterns across millennia.
• While δεῖνα appears only once in the New Testament, the concept it represents—divine discretion and protection of identity—appears elsewhere in Scripture. For example, the unnamed “beloved disciple” in John’s Gospel and the anonymous “man of Macedonia” in Paul’s vision (Acts 16:9) serve similar narrative functions.
• The Last Supper location, referred to using δεῖνα, may have become the same upper room (ὑπερῷον) mentioned in Acts 1:13 where the disciples gathered after Yeshua’s ascension. If so, the anonymity provided by δεῖνα protected not only the Passover celebration but potentially the birthplace of the early church at Pentecost as well.

Remember This

δεῖνα reminds us that some of the most significant contributors to God’s redemptive story remain unnamed, teaching us that faithful service often requires no recognition but yields eternal significance in the Messiah’s kingdom.