3365. médamós

Lexical Summary

médamós: By no means, not at all, never

Original Word: μηδαμῶς
Part of Speech: Adverb, Negative
Transliteration: médamós
Pronunciation: may-dam-OS
Phonetic Spelling: (may-dam-oce')
KJV: not so
NASB: no means
Word Origin: [adverb from a compound of G3361 (μή - no) and amos (somebody)]

1. not even one

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

not so.

Adverb from a compound of me and amos (somebody); by no means -- not so.

see GREEK me

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
adverb from médamos; from méde and hamos (anyone)
Definition
by no means
NASB Translation
no means (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3365: μηδαμῶς

μηδαμῶς (adverb from μηδαμός, and this from μηδέ, and ἆμος someone (perhaps allied with ἅμα, which see)) (from Aeschylus, Herodotus down), by no means, not at all: namely, τοῦτο γένοιτο, in replies after an imperative (A. V. Not so), Acts 10:14; Acts 11:8. (the Sept. for חָלִילָה.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview of the Expression

The word translated “By no means!” or “Absolutely not!” functions as a forceful, unequivocal refusal. It denies the possibility of the proposed action in the strongest terms available in common Koine speech, reflecting an inner conviction that what is being suggested is unthinkable.

Occurrences in Acts

1. Acts 10:14 – In response to the heavenly command, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat,” Peter answers, “By no means, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean”.
2. Acts 11:8 – Recounting the same vision to the Jerusalem believers, Peter repeats, “No, Lord, for nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth”.

In both instances the expression places Peter’s scrupulous adherence to Mosaic dietary laws in direct tension with a divine revelation that will soon widen the Church’s mission to the Gentiles.

Historical Context

For centuries faithful Israelites distinguished themselves from surrounding nations through food laws drawn from Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Eating only “clean” animals became a daily reminder of covenant identity. Peter’s emphatic refusal therefore represents an inherited worldview, not mere stubbornness. His threefold repetition of the vision (Acts 10:16) underscores how revolutionary the impending shift would be: fellowship with Gentiles without ritual barriers.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Initiative versus Human Scruple – The term highlights the friction between long-standing religious conviction and God’s unfolding redemptive plan. While Peter’s conscience cries “By no means,” the Lord declares, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15).
2. Purity Redefined in Christ – The vision prepares the ground for the Apostolic decree of Acts 15, where salvation is affirmed by grace through faith, not by ceremonial observance. The emphatic negation therefore becomes the springboard for God’s “Yes” to the nations.
3. Authority of Revelation – Peter’s eventual obedience demonstrates the primacy of divine revelation over tradition when properly interpreted within the canon of Scripture.

Ministry Applications

• Discernment – Believers must test heartfelt convictions against the whole counsel of God. A vehement “By no means!” should yield when Scripture and the Spirit unite to correct us.
• Mission – Just as Peter crossed cultural boundaries, modern disciples are called to welcome those whom God is cleansing, refusing prejudice while upholding holiness.
• Humility – Peter’s willingness to recount his own initial resistance (Acts 11) models transparent leadership and teaches that growth often begins with correction.

Related Scriptural Parallels

• Romans 6:2; Galatians 2:17 – Paul’s repeated “May it never be!” (another strong negation) shows a consistent biblical pattern of emphatic denial when core gospel truths are at stake.
• Mark 14:31 – Peter’s earlier protest, “Even if I must die with You, I will never deny You,” foreshadows his later “By no means,” illustrating that sincere devotion still requires sanctification.

Reflection for Today

The cry “By no means!” may surface whenever the Lord stretches His people beyond familiar boundaries. Acts reminds us that obedience does not discard the moral law but transcends ritual distinctions now fulfilled in Christ. The believer’s task is to surrender every absolute “No” to the absolute authority of God’s “Yes,” trusting that His purposes remain pure, holy, and good.

Forms and Transliterations

Μηδαμως μηδαμώς Μηδαμῶς Medamos Medamôs Mēdamōs Mēdamō̂s

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 10:14 Adv
GRK: Πέτρος εἶπεν Μηδαμῶς κύριε ὅτι
NAS: said, By no means, Lord,
KJV: Peter said, Not so, Lord; for
INT: Peter said In no way Lord for

Acts 11:8 Adv
GRK: εἶπον δέ Μηδαμῶς κύριε ὅτι
NAS: But I said, 'By no means, Lord,
KJV: But I said, Not so, Lord: for
INT: I said moreover In no way Lord for

Strong's Greek 3365
2 Occurrences

Μηδαμῶς — 2 Occ.