ki im is a conjunction that marks an exception or limiting contrast in a clause.

As a conjunction, ki im joins a statement to an exception or restriction: the supplied clauses limit who may act, what remains, or what outcome is allowed.

1. Conjunction marking exception or restriction · dominant

   The form is tagged as a conjunction throughout the sample. In 1 Chronicles 15:2 the APB renders the restriction on carrying the ark as "except by the Levites"; in 1 Kings 17:1 it limits dew and rain to what occurs "except according to the word of my mouth"; and in 2 Kings 4:2 it presents the woman as having nothing in the house "except a flask of oil."

   1 Chronicles 15:21 Kings 17:12 Kings 4:21 Kings 22:312 Samuel 12:32 Kings 9:35

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the restrictive relation with "except," and elsewhere with limiting wording such as "only" or contrastive wording such as "but." These renderings show the clauses' presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent for each token.