The article investigates the claim that the definite article in mishnaic Hebrew can be unrelated to determination. This claim is found in the standard grammars of Moshe Azar and in the work of Gabriel Birnbaum. The article argues that this interpretation of the use of the article is based on a misunderstanding, and the instances of article use that might seem to be unrelated to determination in fact are perfectly related to determination when analysed carefully.