μήν
mḗn
G3375 particle
SILEX Entry
Definition
A particle used for emphatic affirmation or reinforcement, especially in combination with ἦ (ē), producing a strengthened assertion equivalent to 'truly', 'surely', or 'indeed'. It expresses strong assurance or certainty, typically in exclamatory statements or responses; the standalone form is rare, almost always occurring as ἦ μήν.
Semantic Range
emphatic affirmation, strong assurance; reinforced affirmation (esp. with ἦ), truly, verily, surely, indeed
Root / Etymology
The etymology is uncertain; closely related to μέν, itself a particle indicating contrast or emphasis. μήν is considered a stronger or more emphatic form, perhaps developed from poetic or dialectal usage.
Historical & Contextual Notes
μήν appears most frequently in Classical and Hellenistic Greek literature in the fixed phrase ἦ μήν, serving as an emphatic affirmation, e.g., 'truly indeed', 'verily, assuredly'. It is characteristic of literary or elevated diction, found in tragic dialogue and rhetorical contexts. Its appearance in the New Testament and Septuagint is extremely rare, and often carries over this emphatic function rather than serving as a regular discourse marker. English translations often render ἦ μήν with expressions like 'surely', 'of a truth', or 'certainly', though these can flatten the degree of assurance implied by the Greek. The usage is distinct from μέν, which typically functions in pairs (μέν...δέ) for contrast rather than simple affirmation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a stronger form of μέν; a particle of affirmation (only with ἦ); assuredly:--+ surely.
Root Family
μέν (men) — affirmation, emphasis, contrast-marking
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G3376 | μήν | indeed |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3375-01 |
μὴν | men | T |
surely | on the one hand | surely | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3375-01 |
Hebrews 6:14 | μὴν | men | T |
surely | on the one hand | surely |