Lexical Summary ean mé: unless, except Original Word: ἐὰν μή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance before, but, exceptI.e. ean and me; if not, i.e. Unless -- X before, but, except, if, no, (if, + whosoever) not. see GREEK me see GREEK ean HELPS Word-studies 3362 eán mḗ (consisting of 1437 /eán, "if" and 3361 /mḗ, "not") – unless; literally, "if not." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee ean and mé. Topical Lexicon Nature and Function ἐὰν μή combines a conditional (“if”) with a negation (“not”) to create the forceful “unless/except.” Rather than supplying mere information, the phrase draws a sharp line: one reality will most certainly not occur unless another reality first takes place. Because the construction is idiomatic, modern lexicons catalogue it separately, yet Greek parsers usually absorb it into the broader syntax of the verse; thus no individual verse is indexed exclusively under Strong’s 3362. Structural Role in Scripture 1. Boundary marker in covenant discourse: Moses warns Israel, “You will perish quickly from the land … unless you obey” (cf. Deuteronomy 30:17–18, LXX ἐὰν μή). Historical Background In classical Greek the particle often set the negative alternative in legal and diplomatic documents. The Septuagint adopted the same legal-covenantal flavor, preparing readers to hear Jesus’ “unless” sayings as divine courtroom declarations. Early patristic writers kept the edge intact; Ignatius warned the Magnesians that “unless we live according to Christ, we are already condemned.” Redemptive Significance 1. Exclusivity of salvation. John 6:53: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” Salvation is not one option among many; it is the only door. Pastoral and Homiletical Value • Clarifies the non-negotiables of the gospel. Preachers may trace the “unless” statements to press hearers toward decisive faith. Doctrinal Implications The phrase harmonizes divine sovereignty with human responsibility. God declares what must occur; He also provides the means. Romans 10:14–15 reasons, “How can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching?” The implied ἐὰν μή places evangelism within God’s ordained order. Contemporary Ministry Application In counseling, the particle helps frame conditional promises (“reconciliation is possible, unless hard-heartedness continues”). In missions, it shapes urgency (“they cannot believe unless they hear”). In worship, it fosters humility: the congregation recognizes that entrance into God’s presence is never automatic but granted through the sole sufficient work of Christ. Summary ἐὰν μή stands as the Bible’s emphatic “unless,” signaling absolute necessity. Whether announcing judgment, proclaiming salvation, or urging sanctification, it reminds every reader that God, not human preference, defines the terms of life and peace. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance μετριοπαθεῖν — 1 Occ.μετρίως — 1 Occ. μέτρῳ — 4 Occ. μέτρον — 8 Occ. μέτρου — 2 Occ. μετώπων — 4 Occ. μέτωπον — 3 Occ. μετώπου — 1 Occ. μέχρι — 15 Occ. μέχρις — 3 Occ. Μηδαμῶς — 2 Occ. μηδ' — 1 Occ. μηδὲ — 56 Occ. μηδεὶς — 15 Occ. μηδεμίαν — 7 Occ. Μηδὲν — 35 Occ. Μηδένα — 9 Occ. μηδενὶ — 21 Occ. μηδενὸς — 3 Occ. μηθὲν — 1 Occ. |
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