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οὐχί

ouchí

G3780 particle

SILEX Entry

Definition

An emphatic particle of negation: not at all, certainly not, by no means. Used to strengthen the denial expressed by οὐ (ou), especially in questions expecting a negative answer or in statements with strong negative force. The particle often conveys a sense of surprise, insistence, or correction, intensifying the rejection of what is denied.

Semantic Range

certainly not, not at all, by no means, nay, not, emphatic denial or negation, strong negative response

Root / Etymology

From οὐ (ou, 'not'), with intensifying force, possibly derived from the older or poetic form of οὐ, or by analogy to other emphatic particles. Functions intensively alongside other negative adverbs. Etymology is ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *nē ('not').

Historical & Contextual Notes

οὐχί appears mainly in Koine and Hellenistic Greek as a stronger or more emphatic form of οὐ. It often appears in direct questions and emphatic statements and is particularly common in rhetorical questions where the speaker expects a negative answer (e.g., 'Is it not...?'). In such contexts, English translations may render it as 'certainly not,' 'by no means,' or with intensified negative phrasing. While standard translations might simply use 'not,' this does not always capture the prohibitive or corrective force implicit in the Greek usage. In classical Greek, οὐχί could also carry emphatic contrast but is significantly more frequent in the New Testament and related literature than in earlier periods. Septuagint usage reflects similar emphatic nuances, especially in rhetorical or dialogical contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

intensive of οὐ; not indeed:--nay, not.

Root Family

οὐχ- (ouchí) — to deny, to negate, to reject

Root οὐχ- to deny, to negate, to reject

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3780-01 οὐχὶ ouchi T not certainly not certainly not 54

Occurrences in Scripture

54 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3780-01 2 Corinthians 3:8 οὐχὶ ouchi ADV shall not certainly not certainly not
G3780-01 1 Thessalonians 2:19 οὐχὶ ouchi T not certainly not certainly not
G3780-01 Hebrews 1:14 οὐχὶ ouchi T Are they not? certainly not certainly not
G3780-01 Hebrews 3:17 οὐχὶ ouchi T was it not certainly not certainly not
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