Understanding διατί (diati) Strong’s G1302: The Divine Purpose Behind God’s Questions and Mankind’s Spiritual Quest

Pronunciation Guide: dee-ah-TEE (with emphasis on the final syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1302: The Greek interrogative adverb διατί (diati) means “why?” or “for what reason?” It is used to introduce questions seeking explanation, justification, or purpose. This compound word combines the preposition διά (dia, “through” or “because of”) with the interrogative pronoun τί (ti, “what”), literally meaning “because of what?” or “on account of what?”

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Interrogative adverb
• Root Components: διά (dia, “through/because of”) + τί (ti, “what”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative portions of the Gospels, often in questions posed by or to Yeshua (Jesus); also appears in epistolary literature when authors raise rhetorical questions

διατί Morphology:

• διατί is an indeclinable adverb that maintains the same form regardless of context

Origin & History

The interrogative adverb διατί evolved from the combination of the preposition διά (dia) and the neuter interrogative pronoun τί (ti). In classical Greek literature, this interrogative construction appears in the works of Plato, particularly in his dialogues where Socrates employs probing questions to elicit deeper understanding from his interlocutors. For example, in Plato’s “Apology,” Socrates frequently uses such interrogatives to challenge his accusers and audience to examine their assumptions.

In the Septuagint (LXX), διατί appears extensively, often translating the Hebrew interrogative מַדּוּעַ (maddua) or לָמָּה (lammah), both meaning “why?” Notable occurrences include Exodus 5:22, where Moses questions יהוה (Yahweh) about His apparent delay in delivering Israel: “διατί ἐκάκωσας τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον” (“Why have You brought harm to this people?”). This demonstrates the word’s historical usage in expressing human questioning of divine purposes and actions.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• An interrogative adverb seeking causal explanation or purpose
• A rhetorical device used to challenge assumptions or provoke deeper thought
• A means of expressing perplexity, confusion, or complaint about circumstances
• A way of seeking divine justification for apparent contradictions or suffering

διατί Translation Options:

• “Why?” – The most common and direct translation, appropriate in most contexts
• “For what reason?” – A more formal option that emphasizes rational explanation
• “On what account?” – Useful when legal or moral justification is being sought
• “To what end?” – Particularly fitting when the purpose or goal is being questioned
• “What is the purpose of…?” – Appropriate when seeking to understand divine intention

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, διατί appears 28 times, with particular concentration in the Gospels where it often introduces questions directed to or by Yeshua. These instances frequently center on matters of religious practice, discipleship, or divine purpose. In Matthew 15:3, Yeshua uses διατί to challenge the Pharisees about their traditions: “διατί καὶ ὑμεῖς παραβαίνετε τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ διὰ τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν;” (“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?”).

The word also appears in critical theological contexts, such as when Yeshua cries out from the cross in Matthew 27:46, quoting Psalm 22:1: “Θεέ μου θεέ μου, ἱνατί με ἐγκατέλιπες;” (“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”). Here, the variant form ἱνατί (hinati) is used, which is essentially equivalent to διατί in meaning. This profound question expresses the Messiah’s momentary experience of separation from the Father, representing the deepest “why” in all of Scripture.

Key verses featuring διατί include:

• Matthew 9:11 – “And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, ‘διατί (Why) does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?'”
• Mark 7:5 – “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, ‘διατί (Why) do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?'”
• Luke 5:30 – “And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, ‘διατί (Why) do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'”
• Acts 5:3 – “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, διατί (why) has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?'”
• Romans 9:32 – “διατί (Why) is that? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:29 – “Conscience, I say, not your own, but that of the other. For διατί (why) is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?”

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern context, questioning “why” often carried significant theological weight. Unlike modern scientific inquiry which seeks causal explanations, biblical “why” questions frequently addressed moral or theological purposes. The Hebrew mind understood that asking διατί of God was not merely seeking information but often expressed lament, confusion, or a desire to understand divine purposes in suffering or apparent contradiction.

This cultural perspective is evident in the book of Job, where the prolonged διατί of human suffering is explored. When the disciples ask διατί regarding the man born blind in John 9:2, they reflect a common Jewish theological framework that sought to connect suffering with sin. Yeshua’s response transforms the question from one of blame to one of divine purpose and glory, revealing how the Messiah often reframes the “why” questions of His followers.

In rabbinic Judaism, the questioning tradition was highly developed, with teachers often answering questions with further questions. This approach, which Yeshua Himself employed, reflects the understanding that διατί questions were not simply requests for information but invitations to deeper reflection and spiritual growth. The Messiah’s use of counter-questions when asked διατί demonstrates His rootedness in this Jewish pedagogical tradition.

Theological Significance

The διατί questions in Scripture reveal profound theological truths about God’s character and His relationship with humanity. When humans ask God “why,” these questions often emerge from suffering, confusion, or apparent contradiction between divine promises and human experience. Far from rejecting such questions, Scripture portrays God as One who welcomes honest inquiry, though His answers often transcend human categories of understanding.

The most profound διατί in all of Scripture comes from the lips of Yeshua Himself on the cross. This cry of dereliction reveals the depth of His identification with human suffering and the cost of atonement. That God in flesh would experience the ultimate “why” of separation from the Father demonstrates the lengths to which divine love will go to redeem humanity. This moment shows that God does not stand aloof from human questioning but enters into it, transforming our διατί through His suffering.

The book of Romans contains several significant uses of διατί in Paul’s theological reasoning, particularly regarding Israel’s relationship to the gospel. In Romans 9:19-21, Paul anticipates the human διατί regarding divine sovereignty and human responsibility. His response suggests that some divine “whys” transcend human understanding, yet even in mystery, God’s character remains just, merciful, and consistent with His revealed nature. This teaches us that while διατί questions are valid, faith sometimes requires trusting God’s character even when His purposes remain partially veiled.

Personal Application

The διατί questions of Scripture invite us to bring our own “whys” before God with honesty and vulnerability. Whether facing personal suffering, witnessing injustice, or struggling with apparent contradictions in our faith journey, we can take comfort that questioning is not the opposite of faith but often its expression. Just as the psalmists and prophets brought their διατί before God, we too can approach Him with our deepest questions.

However, Scripture also teaches us to hold our διατί questions in tension with trust. While God welcomes our honest inquiry, He doesn’t always provide immediate or complete answers. Instead, He often reveals Himself more fully through our questioning. When we ask διατί in faith, we may find that God’s answer is not simply information but transformation—a deeper revelation of His character and purposes that transcends our initial question. Like Job, we may discover that encountering God Himself becomes more significant than receiving specific answers to our “whys.”

Related Words

• πῶς (pōs, “how?”) – While διατί seeks reasons or purposes, πῶς inquires about methods or means. Both can be used in spiritual inquiry, but πῶς focuses more on process than purpose. See G4459
• τί (ti, “what?”) – The root interrogative from which διατί is partially formed. It asks for identification or specification rather than reason or purpose. See G5101
• ἵνα τί (hina ti, “why?”) – A closely related interrogative phrase that functions similarly to διατί, asking “for what purpose?” with perhaps slightly more emphasis on intended outcome. See G2443 and G5101
• εἰς τί (eis ti, “for what purpose?”) – Another compound interrogative that emphasizes the goal or intended result of an action. See G1519 and G5101
• ποῦ (pou, “where?”) – While διατί asks about reasons, ποῦ inquires about location, though both can be used metaphorically in spiritual contexts. See G4226

Did you Know?

• Did you know that διατί questions appear at pivotal moments in each of the Gospels, often revealing the spiritual blindness of religious leaders who questioned Yeshua’s authority and actions? These questions frequently expose the questioners’ hearts rather than gaining the information they ostensibly seek, demonstrating how our “why” questions often reveal more about ourselves than we realize.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, the word διατί has largely been replaced by γιατί (giati), which serves the same function? This linguistic evolution demonstrates how fundamental the concept of questioning “why” remains across centuries of Greek language development, reflecting humanity’s persistent search for meaning and purpose.
• Did you know that the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle emphasized the importance of διατί questions in his scientific methodology? He believed that understanding the “why” (διατί) of things was essential to true knowledge, distinguishing between mere observation and genuine understanding. This philosophical approach influenced early Christian theologians who saw no contradiction between faith and the honest pursuit of reasons and causes.

Remember This

Διατί reminds us that God invites our deepest questions not to condemn our doubt but to deepen our faith, transforming our “why” of confusion into a “why” of wonder at His perfect wisdom and unfathomable love.