Strong's Greek: 3300 -- (Not Used)zzz

Lexical Summary

(Not Used): (Not Used)

(Not Used)
Part of Speech:
Transliteration: (Not Used)
(Not Used)

Topical Lexicon

Summary

Strong’s Greek 3300 is an enclitic particle that serves as the first half of a balancing pair (“…men – de…”) which sets up expectation, contrast, or orderly progression. Although this particular form does not appear in the extant New Testament manuscripts, its force is felt wherever the more common cognate (Strong’s 3303) or related compounds occur. By marking one side of a comparison it helps readers follow the Spirit-inspired logic of Scripture and underlines the reliability of every statement that God breathes out (2 Timothy 3:16).

Connection to the ‘men…de’ Construction

1. The particle introduces the “first side” of an idea.
2. It anticipates a corresponding “second side” introduced by δέ (de) or occasionally another connective.
3. The effect is to give Scripture a carefully balanced cadence: “on the one hand … on the other hand.”
• Example: “For indeed [μέν] the body is one, but [δέ] it has many parts” (paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 12:12 where 3303 is used).
4. Even where δέ is absent, the reader senses an implied completion; the inspired writers trusted their audiences to supply it.

Emphasis, Balance and Contrast in Scripture

• Clarifying Sequence: Acts 1:5 sets promise over against fulfillment—“John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
• Sharpening a Point: Philippians 2:4 distinguishes between self-interest and the interests of others.
• Comforting Assurance: Hebrews 10:12 contrasts the repetitive Levitical priesthood with Christ’s single, sufficient sacrifice.

The unused 3300 form reminds us that God’s Word is meticulously structured; nothing is careless or accidental.

Septuagint Background

In the Greek Old Testament this particle regularly appears in narratives, poetry and legal material, lending Hebrew parallelism a Greek rhetorical precision.
• Genesis 18:17-19 sets up divine disclosure and Abraham’s responsibility.
• Psalm 9:18 contrasts the destiny of the needy with that of the wicked.

Such usage prepared first-century readers to recognize the same logical movements in the Gospels and Epistles.

Influence on New Testament Writers

Though 3300 itself is not in the New Testament text, its sister forms pervade:
• Luke’s orderly historical style (Luke 3:15; Acts 14:15).
• Paul’s tightly argued doctrinal sections (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 4:11).
• The homiletic rhythm of Hebrews (Hebrews 3:5).

Each instance teaches believers to think in balanced, covenantal categories—promise/fulfillment, shadow/reality, suffering/glory.

Doctrinal Implications

1. Inspiration and Precision: Even particles are part of the Spirit’s superintendence; therefore every word matters (Matthew 5:18).
2. Unity and Diversity: The construction models how apparently divergent truths harmonize—law and grace, faith and works, sovereignty and responsibility.
3. Assurance of Fulfillment: Whenever Scripture says “on the one hand,” it guarantees that the matching “on the other hand” will come to pass (cf. Hebrews 10:37).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Expository Preaching: Observe the balancing clauses; explain each side so the congregation sees the full counsel of God.
• Counseling: Show counselees how Scripture acknowledges tension (“sorrowful, yet always rejoicing,” 2 Corinthians 6:10) without denying either reality.
• Discipleship: Train believers to read carefully, noting contrasts that protect from doctrinal imbalance.
• Apologetics: Demonstrate that biblical truth is coherent; apparent contradictions are usually two sides of a single inspired contrast.

Select Illustrative Passages

(Using; occurrences employ 3303 but illustrate the same function.)
• John 1:17 – “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
• Romans 8:10 – “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.”
• 1 Peter 2:24 – “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”

Historical Note

Early Christian apologists such as Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, writing in Greek, adopted the “men…de” technique to mirror apostolic argumentation. Its presence in creedal statements and catechetical works underscores how deeply the early Church absorbed Scripture’s logical form.

Conclusion

Though Strong’s 3300 leaves no direct footprint in the New Testament text, its role as half of a divinely crafted pair illuminates the harmony, depth and certainty of God’s self-revelation. Proper attention to this small particle enriches study and proclamation, ensuring that every contrast and completion in Scripture brings glory to the Lord and edification to His people.

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts