μὴ οὐκ
mḕ ouk
G3378
SILEX Entry
Definition
A combination of the negative particles μή (used with non-indicative moods, typically subjunctive or optative) and οὐ (used with indicative mood to signal objective negation). In constructions, especially questions, μὴ οὐκ is used for introducing negative expectations, often implying that the expected answer is negative—'Is it not (the case that)...?' or to express concern or fear that something might actually happen. It creates an emphasis of negation, sometimes introducing a rhetorical question that anticipates an answer in the negative.
Semantic Range
rhetorical negative question, negative expectation, fear or apprehension that something might happen, emphasis on negation, indirect discourse with negative expectation
Root / Etymology
A combination of μή (used for subjective negation) and οὐ (used for objective negation); both are Greek adverbial negatives with distinct grammatical uses. The pairing intensifies or clarifies the intended scope or mood of negation, especially in interrogative and subordinate clauses.
Historical & Contextual Notes
μὴ οὐκ is rare and syntactically marked, especially in classical and Koine Greek. It is chiefly found in negative questions with subjunctive or optative, often in contexts expressing apprehension, doubt, or rhetorical emphasis. In the Septuagint and New Testament, this construction occasionally surfaces in direct speech or indirect discourse, often with verbs of fearing, doubting, or apprehension (e.g., μὴ οὐκ ἔλθῃ—'lest he might not come'). Such usage does not align precisely with any single English negative particle, so translation varies by context. English versions may use double negatives or emphatic phrasing to render the force of the Greek. μὴ οὐκ must be distinguished from οὐ μή, which conveys strong or even absolute negation, often with the subjunctive (emphasizing impossibility, 'by no means'). The combination of two negatives reflects nuanced Greek modal logic rather than redundancy.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
i.e. μή and οὐ; as interrogative and negative, is it not that?:--neither (followed by no), + never, not. Compare οὐ μή.
Root Family
μή, οὐ (mḕ ouk) — not (subjective negation), not (objective negation)
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.