1490. ei de me(ge)

Lexicon

ei de me(ge): "otherwise," "if not," "but if not"

Original Word: εἰ δὲ μήγε
Part of Speech: Particle, Negative
Transliteration: ei de me(ge)
Pronunciation: ay deh MAY-geh
Phonetic Spelling: (((gheh))
Definition: "otherwise," "if not," "but if not"
Meaning: but if not, else, otherwise.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

or else, if not, otherwise.

From ei, de, and me (sometimes with ge added); but if not -- (or) else, if (not, otherwise), otherwise.

see GREEK ei

see GREEK de

see GREEK me

see GREEK ge

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: This phrase is a combination of three Greek words: εἰ (ei), δέ (de), and μήγε (mēge). The word εἰ is a conditional particle often translated as "if." The word δέ is a conjunction typically translated as "but" or "and." The word μήγε is a compound of μή (mē), a negative particle, and γε (ge), an emphatic particle.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for the Greek phrase εἰ δὲ μήγε, similar conditional expressions can be found in the Hebrew Bible. These often involve the use of the Hebrew word אִם (im), meaning "if," combined with other particles to form conditional statements. However, due to differences in language structure and idiomatic usage, a direct one-to-one correspondence is not always present. The concept of conditionality and presenting alternatives is a common linguistic feature in both Greek and Hebrew biblical texts.

Usage: This phrase is used in the New Testament to present a conditional statement, often indicating an alternative outcome or action if the initial condition is not met.

Context: The phrase εἰ δὲ μήγε appears in the New Testament as a conditional expression that provides an alternative scenario or consequence. It is a linguistic tool used by the biblical authors to clarify or contrast different outcomes based on the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of a condition. This phrase is typically found in contexts where a decision or judgment is being discussed, emphasizing the importance of the initial condition and the implications of its negation.

In the Berean Standard Bible, εἰ δὲ μήγε is used to convey the idea of an alternative path or consequence. For example, in Acts 5:39, the phrase is used to present an alternative to the actions being considered: "But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. Otherwise, you may even find yourselves fighting against God." Here, the phrase introduces the potential outcome if the initial condition (the work being from God) is not met.

The use of εἰ δὲ μήγε reflects the biblical authors' intent to guide the audience in understanding the gravity of choices and the potential divine implications of their actions. It serves as a rhetorical device to underscore the seriousness of discerning God's will and the consequences of opposing it.

Forms and Transliterations

ει μή μη¦γε μή¦γε me mē me¦ge mē¦ge mḗ¦ge mege mēge

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 6:1 Prtcl
GRK: εἰ δὲ μή¦γε μισθὸν οὐκ
KJV: of them: otherwise ye have
INT: if moreover lest reward no

Matthew 9:17 Prtcl
GRK: εἰ δὲ μή¦γε ῥήγνυνται οἱ
KJV: old bottles: else the bottles break,
INT: if moreover lest are burst the

Luke 5:36 Prtcl
GRK: εἰ δὲ μή¦γε καὶ τὸ
KJV: an old; if otherwise, then both
INT: if moreover not both the

Luke 5:37 Prtcl
GRK: εἰ δὲ μή¦γε ῥήξει ὁ
KJV: old bottles; else the new wine
INT: if moreover not will burst the

Luke 10:6 Prtcl
GRK: εἰ δὲ μή¦γε ἐφ' ὑμᾶς
KJV: upon it: if not, it shall turn to
INT: if however not so to you

Luke 13:9 Prtcl
GRK: εἰ δὲ μή¦γε ἐκκόψεις αὐτήν
KJV: fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that
INT: if however not you will cut down it

Luke 14:32 Prtcl
GRK: εἰ δὲ μή¦γε ἔτι αὐτοῦ
KJV: Or else, while the other is
INT: if moreover not still of him

2 Corinthians 11:16 Prtcl
GRK: εἰ δὲ μή¦γε κἂν ὡς
KJV: me a fool; if otherwise, yet as
INT: if however otherwise even as

Strong's Greek 1490
8 Occurrences

μή¦γε — 8 Occ.