Lexical Summary méde: nor, neither, not even Original Word: μηδέ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance neither, nor, notFrom me and de; but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor -- neither, nor (yet), (no) not (once, so much as). see GREEK me see GREEK de HELPS Word-studies 3366 mēdé (a conjunction, derived from 3361 /mḗ, "subjectively not" and 1161 /dé, "moreover, next") – properly, not even, nor moreover, neither. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mé and de Definition but not, and not NASB Translation either (1), even (5), none (1), nor (16), or (21), or even (1), thereby (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3366: μηδέμηδέ (μή, which see, and δέ) (from Homer down), a negative disjunctive conjunction; (cf. Winers Grammar, § 55, 6; Buttmann, § 149, 13); 1. used in continuing a negation or prohibition, but not, and not, neither; preceded by μή — either so that the two negatives have one verb in common: preceded by μή with a participle, Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:24; by μή with a present subjunctive, 1 Corinthians 5:8 (here L marginal reading present indicative); 1 John 3:18; by μή with imperative, Matthew 6:25; Luke 10:4; Luke 12:22; Luke 14:12; 1 John 2:15; by μή with an aorist subjunctive 2 person plural, Matthew 10:9f; by εἰς τό μή, 2 Thessalonians 2:2 L T Tr WH; — or so that μηδέ has its own verb: preceded by ὅς ἐάν (ἄν) μή, Matthew 10:14; Mark 6:11; by ἵνα μή, John 4:15; by ὅπως μή, Luke 16:26; with a participle after μή with a participle, Luke 12:47; 2 Corinthians 4:2; with an imperative after μή with imperative, John 14:27; Romans 6:12; Hebrews 12:5; μηδενί ἐπιτίθει, followed by μηδέ with imperative 1 Timothy 5:22; with 2 person of the aorist subjunctive after μή with 2 person of the aorist subjunctive, Matthew 7:6; Matthew 23:9; Luke 17:23; Colossians 2:21; 1 Peter 3:14; after μηδέ with an aorist subjunctive Mark 8:26 (T reads μή for the first μηδέ, T WH Tr marginal reading omit the second clause); after μηδένα with an aorist subjunctive, Luke 3:14 (Tdf. repeats μηδένα); μηδέ ... μηδέ with 1 person plural present subjunctive, 1 Corinthians 10:8f (see below); παραγγέλλω followed by μή with inf ... μηδέ with an infinitive, Acts 4:18; 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 6:17; καλόν τό μή ... μηδέ with an infinitive Romans 14:21; with the genitive absolute after μήπω with the genitive absolute, Romans 9:11; with imperative after εἰς τό μή, 1 Corinthians 10:7; μηδέ is repeated several times in a negative exhortation after εἰς τό μή in 1 Corinthians 10:7-10. 2. not even (Latinne ... quidem): with an infinitive after ἔγραψα, 1 Corinthians 5:11; after ὥστε, Mark 2:2; Mark 3:20 (where R G T badly μήτε (cf. Winers Grammar, 489f (456); Buttmann, pp. 367, 369)); with a present imperative, Ephesians 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Topical Lexicon Linguistic Function and Emphatic Negation Strong’s Greek 3366 acts as a coordinating negative (“nor,” “neither,” “not even”) that links prohibitions or exclusions so that nothing slips through the net of command. Used with imperatives, subjunctives, infinitives, or indicative statements, it tightens the boundary: what is prohibited first is not to be done—and “μηδέ” adds that nothing related or comparable is allowed either. The particle therefore supplies comprehensiveness and urgency to moral, doctrinal, and pastoral directives. Foundational Use in the Teaching of Jesus 1. Freedom from anxiety: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… nor about your body, what you will wear” (Matthew 6:25). The word seals off every avenue by which care might re-enter the heart. Apostolic Prohibitions and Ethical Purity Paul, Peter, and John employ the particle to rule out every shade of worldliness. Guarding Doctrine and Worship False teaching and speculative distractions are twice fenced off with this particle: “instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies” (1 Timothy 1:3-4). The negative linkage preserves the purity of apostolic truth and therefore the health of worship. Pastoral Governance and Shepherding To elders: “Shepherd the flock of God… not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; nor for shameful gain, but eagerly” (1 Peter 5:2). The paired negatives mark out motives to avoid so that Christlike service shines without admixture of coercion or greed. Community Care and Practical Charity Luke 14:12 records Jesus’ counsel: when hosting a meal, invite “not your friends… nor your relatives… nor rich neighbors,” opening the way for ministry to the poor. “μηδέ” widens generosity beyond every comfortable circle. Eschatological Sobriety and Prophetic Caution 2 Thessalonians 2:2 warns believers “not to become easily unsettled or alarmed… nor by any letter supposed to have come from us,” blocking both emotional panic and counterfeit correspondence. The church’s stability is doubly secured. Historical Reception and Translation Early Greek writers and later translators alike recognized the particle’s forceful breadth. English versions consistently render it “nor,” “neither,” or “not even,” signaling that a previous prohibition is now being extended. The Church Fathers often cited these texts to argue for total abstention from sin and unwavering courage under persecution. Practical Implications for Contemporary Ministry • Preaching: use the double-edged pattern—state the primary command, then deliberately exclude the loopholes. Summary of Theological Themes Across its fifty-seven New Testament occurrences, “μηδέ” binds together the totality of devotion, purity, courage, and faith. Whether forbidding anxious thoughts, fleshy indulgence, doctrinal drift, or cowardly retreat, the particle underscores Scripture’s consistent call for whole-hearted allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ, shutting the door on every rival claim. Forms and Transliterations μὴ μηδ μηδ' μηδε μηδέ μηδὲ μήδε me mē mḕ med mēd med' mēd' mede medè mēde mēdèLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:25 ConjGRK: τί πίητε μηδὲ τῷ σώματι NAS: you will drink; nor for your body, KJV: ye shall drink; nor yet for your INT: what you should drink nor the body Matthew 7:6 Conj Matthew 10:9 Conj Matthew 10:9 Conj Matthew 10:10 Conj Matthew 10:10 Conj Matthew 10:10 Conj Matthew 10:14 Conj Matthew 22:29 Conj Matthew 23:10 Conj Matthew 24:20 Conj Mark 2:2 Conj Mark 3:20 Conj Mark 6:11 Conj Mark 8:26 Conj Mark 8:26 Conj Mark 12:24 Conj Mark 13:15 Conj Luke 3:14 Conj Luke 12:22 Conj Luke 14:12 Conj Luke 14:12 Conj Luke 14:12 Conj Luke 16:26 Conj Luke 17:23 Conj Strong's Greek 3366 |
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