δεῖνα is the Greek way of saying “so-and-so,” a polite label for an unnamed or undetermined individual. It allows a writer or speaker to keep attention on the action rather than on the person, or to withhold a name for pastoral, literary, or legal reasons. The term preserves anonymity without implying insignificance, much as English speakers might say “a certain man” or “my friend over there.”

Presence in the Canon

The word itself is not found in the extant Greek New Testament manuscripts. Nevertheless, the concept it expresses is present wherever Scripture intentionally keeps a person’s identity from view. The Hebrew Bible occasionally does this with the phrase plōnî ʾalmōnî, rendered by the Septuagint with δεῖνα (for example, Ruth 4:1). Even without New Testament occurrences, the idea behind δεῖνα illuminates many passages that respect or require anonymity.

Old Testament Illustration (Ruth 4:1)

“Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the redeemer of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, ‘Come over here, my friend, and sit down.’”

Boaz addresses the nearer kinsman as “my friend,” concealing the name. The Septuagint uses δεῖνα, showing that anonymity can serve redemptive purposes: the unnamed relative’s refusal to redeem clears the way for God’s chosen line to continue through Boaz and Ruth, culminating in David and ultimately in the Messiah (Matthew 1:5-6).

Classical and Jewish Background

Outside the Bible, δεῖνα appears in court speeches, contracts, and narratives when a person’s name is irrelevant, unknown, or intentionally kept hidden. Jewish scribes adopted the practice to avoid shaming individuals or to keep focus on divine activity. By the time of the Second Temple period, such anonymity had become a recognized literary device.

Theological Insights

1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Obscurity

Scripture often magnifies God by allowing human agents to recede into the background. Whether through δεῖνα, “a certain man,” or an unnamed servant girl, the text points readers away from human fame toward divine initiative (2 Kings 5:2-3; Mark 14:13).

2. Covenant Faithfulness

In Ruth 4 the anonymity of the nearer kinsman accentuates Boaz’s covenant loyalty (ḥesed). The man who remains nameless declines to act; the one who bears the name acts in faith. God’s promise unfolds, whether or not individuals seek personal recognition.

3. Judgment and Mercy

At times the withholding of a name protects. The adulterous woman in John 8 is unnamed; so are offending priests in Malachi 2. Concealment can shield sinners who later repent, or emphasize sin itself rather than the sinner.

Comparison with Other Indefinite Expressions

• τις (Strong’s 5100) – the normal indefinite pronoun in the New Testament, translated “someone” or “anyone,” pointing to an unknown but possible person.
• ἄλλος / ἕτερος – “another,” distinguishing classes of people.
• ὅστις – “whoever,” a broader, open-ended term.

δεῖνα is more pointed: the person exists, is present, yet remains unnamed.

Pastoral and Homiletical Applications

• Guarding Reputations. When sharing testimonies or counseling illustrations, shepherds wisely imitate Scripture’s restraint, naming sin without exposing individuals unnecessarily (Proverbs 11:13).
• Focusing on God’s Works. Preachers can underscore that most ministry happens through believers whose names history may forget but whom God remembers (Hebrews 6:10).
• Encouraging Humility. The anonymity implied in δεῖνα counters the cultural craving for recognition (Matthew 6:1-4).

Missional Reflection

Mission records often highlight famous evangelists, yet the gospel advances through countless unnamed believers—modern “so-and-so’s” who open homes, translate Bibles, or pray faithfully. The Spirit’s work through anonymous disciples mirrors the biblical pattern embodied in δεῖνα.

Conclusion

Although δεῖνα never surfaces in the Greek New Testament, its function in the wider biblical world enriches our reading of passages where anonymity serves God’s purposes. The hidden name invites readers to look beyond the individual to the Lord who orchestrates history, cares for each person, and ensures that “those who honor Me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30).