feminine of דִּין; justice; Dinah, the daughter of Jacob; Dinah.
Transliteration:Dîynâh
Pronunciation:dee-naw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דִּינָה (Dîynâh), Strong's number `{{H1783}}`, is defined as the feminine form of דִּין (dîyn), meaning "justice" or "judgment." As such, its core semantic range centers on the concept of divine or human adjudication, the rendering of a verdict, or the administration of what is right. While the root `{{H1777}}` (דִּין) often carries the broader sense of a legal dispute or a process of judgment, the feminine form in Dîynâh imbues it with a personal, perhaps even embodied, aspect of this concept. Primarily, however, `{{H1783}}` functions as a proper noun, referring to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. In this capacity, the name itself carries the inherent meaning of "justice" or "one who is judged/vindicated," a poignant descriptor given her subsequent narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H1783}}` occurs exclusively as the proper name "Dinah" in the book of Genesis.
Her birth is recorded in [[Genesis 30:21]], where Leah names her, stating, "God has judged me with a good judgment" (though the verb used is *dan*, related to the root). This initial context suggests a sense of divine vindication or the granting of a just outcome to Leah.
The most significant occurrences of Dinah's name are found throughout [[Genesis 34]], which recounts the tragic incident in Shechem. Here, Dinah is "defiled" by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite ([[Genesis 34:1]]-[[Genesis 34:3]]). Her subsequent narrative involves negotiations between Jacob's family and Shechem's, leading to a deceptive agreement for intermarriage ([[Genesis 34:8]]-[[Genesis 34:17]]). Ultimately, Dinah's brothers, Simeon and Levi, exact a brutal and deceitful vengeance upon the men of Shechem, killing them after they are circumcised ([[Genesis 34:25]]-[[Genesis 34:29]]). Dinah is mentioned by name repeatedly in this chapter, underscoring her central, albeit passive, role in the unfolding tragedy. The narrative starkly contrasts the meaning of her name, "justice," with the profound injustice she suffers and the extreme, arguably unjust, retribution carried out by her brothers. Her story highlights the vulnerability of women in ancient society and the complex, often violent, dynamics of honor and vengeance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the masculine noun `{{H1777}}` (דִּין - dîyn), from which `{{H1783}}` is derived. This root signifies "judgment," "justice," "dispute," or "legal case." Closely connected is the verb `{{H1779}}` (דּוּן - dûn), meaning "to judge," "to contend," or "to plead a cause." These terms emphasize the legal and judicial dimensions inherent in Dinah's name.
Other related concepts include:
* **Justice (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpat `{{H4941}}`):** A broader biblical term for righteousness, equity, and the administration of law, often associated with God's character.
* **Vindication:** The idea of being proven right or having one's cause upheld, which resonates with Leah's naming of Dinah.
* **Honor and Shame:** Central themes in the Genesis 34 narrative, where Dinah's defilement is perceived as a profound dishonor to her and her family, leading to the brothers' violent response to restore their family's honor.
* **Retribution and Vengeance:** The actions of Simeon and Levi raise critical questions about the nature of justice and the dangers of human vengeance.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1783}}` lies primarily in the profound irony and tension between the name "Dinah" (justice) and the events of her life recorded in Genesis 34. Her story serves as a stark commentary on the perversion of justice in a fallen world.
1. **The Nature of Justice:** The narrative challenges the reader to consider what true justice entails. Is it the violent retribution enacted by Simeon and Levi, or does it align with a higher, divine standard? The brothers' actions, while perhaps driven by a desire for "justice" for their sister, are condemned by Jacob ([[Genesis 49:5]]-[[Genesis 49:7]]), suggesting they overstepped the bounds of righteous judgment.
2. **Human Sin and Its Consequences:** Dinah's story vividly illustrates the destructive ripple effects of sin—sexual violence, deceit, and murderous vengeance. It underscores the deep brokenness of human relationships when God's standards of justice and purity are abandoned.
3. **God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Depravity:** Even in a narrative filled with human sin and flawed actions, the underlying theological current points to God's ultimate justice and His work, however veiled, in the unfolding of His redemptive plan through the family of Jacob. Dinah's very name, meaning "justice," serves as a silent witness to the divine attribute that ultimately prevails, even when human actions obscure it.
4. **Vulnerability and Compassion:** Dinah, as a largely silent victim in the narrative, represents the vulnerable and the suffering. Her story implicitly calls for compassion and righteous action on behalf of those who experience injustice.
### Summary
`{{H1783}}` (דִּינָה, Dîynâh) means "justice" or "judgment," deriving from the masculine noun `{{H1777}}`. It is exclusively used as the proper name of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Her biblical narrative, primarily in [[Genesis 34]], presents a tragic account of defilement and subsequent violent retribution by her brothers. The name "Dinah" stands in poignant and ironic contrast to the events she endures, highlighting the profound injustice she suffers and the extreme, human-driven "justice" meted out by her family. Theologically, her story prompts deep reflection on the nature of justice, the devastating consequences of human sin, and the complex interplay between human actions and God's ultimate, righteous judgment. It serves as a powerful, if disturbing, reminder of the fallen world's capacity for injustice and the need for divine intervention and true, redemptive justice.
TRV