Words the Bible translates as but
English uses one word here. The Bible uses 8 words, and they do not mean the same thing. Each is listed with what it actually means, most frequent first.
- deδέa small connecting word that signals what comes next is a new step, development, or shift in what the writer is saying
- kiכִּיbut rather, except, only: after a denial, it names what holds instead
+3 more meanings
- because, for: it attaches the reason or the grounds behind what has just been said
- that: it introduces the content of what someone sees, knows, hears, or says
- when, if: it frames the circumstance or the case the main statement answers to
- allaἀλλάa strong contrasting word that does not merely set two things side by side but cancels the first and puts the second in its place: but, rather, on the contrary
- imאִםexcept, but rather: joined to the word for "that", it carves out the one case a denial does not cover
+3 more meanings
- if: it sets a condition, so that what follows depends on whether that thing is so
- in an oath: a flat denial, or, when the word for "not" is added, a flat promise
- or, whether: it opens the second half of a two way question, or names the thing being asked about
- plēnπλήνbut, nevertheless, only: a word that sets aside what comes before and points the reader to what really matters
+1 more meaning
- except, besides, save: marks an exception, the one thing left out of an otherwise complete statement
- akhאַךְa small focusing particle that singles out its clause, either to insist on it (surely, indeed) or to fence it off from what came before (only, but, however)
- raqרַקonly: a limiting word that narrows a statement down to one thing and shuts everything else out
- ulamאוּלָםbut, however: a weighty turn that sets what follows squarely against what was just said
Keep looking
Every English meaning beginning with B is on its letter page, and the whole index starts at Browse.