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μέντοι

méntoi

G3305 coordinating conjunction

SILEX Entry

Definition

A particle introducing contrast, affirmation, or concession; used to emphasize what follows, often with the sense of 'however', 'nevertheless', 'yet', or 'indeed'. Its primary function is to mark a new statement that qualifies or partially opposes a preceding statement, frequently employed in dialogue or narrative transitions.

Semantic Range

however, nevertheless, yet, indeed, certainly (as a marker of concession or emphasis); introducing contrast, affirming or qualifying a preceding statement

Root / Etymology

From the combination of μέν (marking anticipation or contrast) and τοί (an emphatic particle); together, they function as a compound particle. Etymologically, each element amplifies the concessive or emphatic nuance of the other. Used as a fixed phrase in classical and Koine Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μέντοι appears throughout classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, partly overlapping with similar particles such as ἀλλά ('but', 'however') and πλήν ('except', 'but'). In classical Greek, μέντοι often indicates transition or adds force to a statement, retaining this function in Koine. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it rarely opens a sentence, but instead appears within discourse, serving to redirect or nuance a previous thought, sometimes with concessive ('nevertheless', 'yet') or emphatic ('indeed') force. English translations may render it as 'however', 'yet', 'nevertheless', but true equivalence depends on context. Unlike μέν, which typically anticipates a following δέ clause ('on the one hand ... on the other'), μέντοι stands independently and is less formulaic.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μέν and τοί; indeed though, i.e. however:--also, but, howbeit, nevertheless, yet.

Root Family

μεν- (kataménō) — to remain, to stay, to abide

Root μεν- on the other hand, however, indeed, nevertheless
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2650 καταμένω those persistently remaining
G3306 μένω we remained
G3438 μονή dwelling places
G362 ἀναμένω to remain in expectation
G4037 περιμένω to remain in anticipation

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3305-01 μέντοι mentoi CONJ however nevertheless however 8

Occurrences in Scripture

8 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3305-01 John 4:27 μέντοι mentoi CONJ yet nevertheless however
G3305-01 John 7:13 μέντοι mentoi CONJ however nevertheless however
G3305-01 John 12:42 μέντοι mentoi CONJ however nevertheless however
G3305-01 John 20:5 μέντοι mentoi CONJ however nevertheless however
G3305-01 John 21:4 μέντοι mentoi CONJ yet nevertheless however
G3305-01 2 Timothy 2:19 μέντοι mentoi CONJ nevertheless nevertheless nevertheless
G3305-01 James 2:8 μέντοι mentoi CONJ however nevertheless however
G3305-01 Jude 1:8 μέντοι mentoi CONJ yet nevertheless nevertheless
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