דִּינָה
Dinah / Dinah
“Judgment”
Dinah (דִּינָה, Dinah) is a Hebrew girl's name meaning “judgment,” pronounced “di-NAH.” From the Hebrew root ד-י-ן (dalet-yod-nun) meaning 'to judge, to vindicate, to plead a case.' The feminine form דִּינָה (Dinah) means 'judgment' or 'vindicated one.' The same root gives the names Dan and Daniel.
| Hebrew | דִּינָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Dinah |
| English Name | Dinah |
| Meaning | Judgment |
| Pronunciation | di-NAH |
| Gender | Girl |
| Category | Female Biblical Names |
| Variants | Dina, Deena, Dena |
| Key Scripture | Genesis 30:21 |
Dinah is Jacob's only named daughter, and her story is one of the most difficult and debated in all of Genesis. Her name means 'judgment' or 'vindication' — from the same root as the tribe of Dan — and questions of justice permeate her narrative. When she was violated by Shechem (Genesis 34), her brothers Simeon and Levi took devastating revenge, and Jacob's family was thrown into crisis. The rabbis debate whether the brothers' response was righteous justice or excessive violence, but Dinah's name — Judgment — frames the entire episode as a question: what does true justice look like when the innocent are harmed? The text refuses to give an easy answer, making Dinah's story permanently relevant.
Key Scripture: Genesis 30:21
“Some time later she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.”
What Does Dinah Mean in Hebrew?
From the root ד-י-ן (dalet-yod-nun) meaning 'to judge.' The form דִּינָה (Dinah) is a feminine noun meaning 'judgment' or 'justice.' Leah named her expressing that God had judged in her favor. The same root appears in Dan ('judge'), Daniel ('God is my judge'), and Adonai's attribute as 'Dayyan' (the Judge).
Dinah in the Bible
Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 30:21). Her story in Genesis 34 — her violation by Shechem and the violent revenge of her brothers Simeon and Levi — is one of the most morally complex narratives in the Torah. It raises profound questions about justice, honor, violence, and the treatment of women in the ancient world.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
Dinah's story has been the subject of extensive literary exploration, most notably in Anita Diamant's bestselling novel 'The Red Tent' (1997), which imagines her inner life and the women's world of the biblical era. The novel brought renewed attention to Dinah as a figure deserving her own voice in a male-dominated narrative.
Dinah was more popular in earlier centuries and has become less common in recent decades. The variant Dina remains popular in Israel and in Jewish communities. The name carries a quiet strength and biblical depth that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dinah
What does Dinah mean in Hebrew?
Dinah (דִּינָה, Dinah) means “Judgment” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew root ד-י-ן (dalet-yod-nun) meaning 'to judge, to vindicate, to plead a case.' The feminine form דִּינָה (Dinah) means 'judgment' or 'vindicated one.' The same root gives the names Dan and Daniel.
How do you pronounce Dinah in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Dinah is “di-NAH.” The name is written דִּינָה in Hebrew script.
What does Dinah mean in Hebrew?
Dinah (דִּינָה) means 'judgment' or 'vindication' in Hebrew, from the root ד-י-ן (dalet-yod-nun) meaning 'to judge.' The same root gives us the names Dan and Daniel. The name frames Dinah's entire narrative around the question of justice — what is the righteous response when the innocent are wronged?
What happened to Dinah in the Bible?
According to Genesis 34, Dinah 'went out to visit the women of the land' and was violated by Shechem, a local prince. Shechem then sought to marry her. Her brothers Simeon and Levi deceived the Shechemites into circumcising themselves, then attacked and killed them all. Jacob rebuked their violence, but they responded: 'Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?'
Was Dinah Jacob's only daughter?
Dinah is the only daughter of Jacob specifically named in Genesis, but Genesis 37:35 and 46:7 refer to Jacob's 'daughters' (plural), suggesting he had other daughters. However, Dinah is the only one whose name and story are recorded, making her the sole named daughter among the twelve sons in the biblical narrative.
Sources & Further Study
More Female Biblical Names
Explore other names in the Female Biblical Names collection
Related Hebrew Names
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