Lexical Summary mé ouk: not, no Original Word: μή οὐκ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance neither, never, not. I.e. me and ou; as interrogative and negative, is it not that? -- neither (followed by no), + never, not. Compare ou me. see GREEK ou see GREEK ou me see GREEK me NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee mé and ou,. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3378: μή οὐκμή οὐκ, see μή, III. 1. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3378 designates the collocation μή οὐκ, a rare pairing of the two principal Greek negatives. Unlike the more familiar οὐ μή (Strong’s 3364), μή οὐκ does not occur in the extant text of the Greek New Testament; nevertheless, it appears in Classical writers, in certain Septuagint books, and in a few early Christian commentators. Its study sheds light on the biblical writers’ choice of negatives and safeguards accurate exegesis where translators must decide how best to render emphatic or nuanced negation. Grammatical and Literary Function 1. Distinct Spheres of Negation When μή precedes οὐκ, the writer is able to deny either possibility simultaneously: “Do not—under any circumstance—suppose that it is not so.” The first particle aims at the reader’s mental supposition; the second particle denies the proposition itself. 2. Rhetorical Questioning In Greek rhetoric μή often introduces a question expecting a negative reply, whereas οὐκ implies a positive reply. Placing μή before οὐκ sets up an initial challenge to assumption (“Surely you are not thinking…”) and then answers that thought with categorical denial (“…for it is in fact not so.”) In effect the combination rebukes doubt and affirms certainty. 3. Tone and Force While οὐ μή promises that something will “never ever” occur, μή οὐκ forestalls a wrong inference. One might paraphrase, “Do not imagine for a second that it is not the case.” The expression is forceful without sounding harsh, suitable for warnings, corrections, and prophetic assurances. Relationship to Other Negatives • οὐ μή (Strong’s 3364) declares impossibility (“will certainly not”). By observing these distinctions, translators avoid flattening every double negative into the same English idiom and conserve the inspired author’s intent. Septuagint and Early Jewish Context Although absent from the New Testament, μή οὐκ occurs in the Septuagint version of Job and Wisdom literature. For instance, Job 6:28a LXX: “Νῦν δὴ ἐπιβλέψατέ μοι, μή οὐκ ψεύσομαι ἐνώπιόν σας” (“Now then, look upon me; do not think I am lying before you”). Here μή controls the audience’s inward suspicion; οὐκ negates the slander. The pattern finds analogues in Qumran Greek fragments and later patristic homilies, indicating a living idiom familiar to Hellenistic Jews. Theological Significance 1. Protection of Doctrinal Certainty By coupling the two negatives, biblical writers separate faithful confidence from skeptical doubt. When expounders today encounter emphatic negatives elsewhere (especially οὐ μή), awareness of μή οὐκ keeps them from overstating or understating the force. Clear delineation between potential unbelief and actual impossibility fortifies doctrines such as the efficacy of Christ’s atonement and the unbreakable nature of God’s promises. 2. Reverence for Divine Revelation The very existence of nuanced negatives reminds the interpreter that Scripture is not careless with words. As Proverbs 30:5 affirms, “Every word of God is flawless.” Respecting the difference between the various combinations upholds verbal inspiration. Implications for Interpretation and Translation • Careful translators may occasionally render μή οὐκ with an introductory cautionary clause (“Do not think…not…”) followed by a declarative denial. While English rarely tolerates a literal “not not,” a dynamic rendering ought to preserve both the prohibition of doubt and the statement of fact. Pastoral and Homiletical Reflections 1. Guarding Minds and Hearts Preachers can draw on the logic of μή οὐκ when combating modern forms of unbelief. First, confront the audience’s hidden suspicion (“Do not imagine that God does not see”), then affirm truth (“for He surely does see,” echoing Psalm 94:9). Teaching believers to recognize the different shades of biblical negation deepens assurance. When Hebrews promises that God “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, employing οὐ μή), pastors may explain that Scripture possesses other, equally precise ways to cancel doubt, one of which is reflected in μή οὐκ. Questions for Personal Study and Group Discussion 1. How do the various Greek negatives (μή, οὐκ, οὐ μή, μήποτε, μή οὐκ) help us hear the pastoral tone of Jesus’ and Paul’s warnings? Summary Though Strong’s 3378 μή οὐκ is not attested in the Greek New Testament, its role in the broader Greco-Jewish milieu underscores the Spirit’s meticulous care in phrasing divine revelation. Recognizing its force protects readers from careless exegesis and equips the Church to convey God’s sure Word with clarity and confidence. Forms and Transliterations μη ουχίLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Μῆδοι — 1 Occ.μηκέτι — 22 Occ. μῆκος — 3 Occ. μηκύνηται — 1 Occ. μηλωταῖς — 1 Occ. μὴν — 1 Occ. μὴν — 1 Occ. μῆνα — 2 Occ. μῆνας — 14 Occ. μηνὶ — 1 Occ. μηνύσαντα — 1 Occ. μηνύσῃ — 1 Occ. μηνυθείσης — 1 Occ. Μήποτε — 1 Occ. μήπω — 2 Occ. μηρὸν — 1 Occ. μήτε — 34 Occ. μήτηρ — 32 Occ. μητέρα — 26 Occ. μητέρας — 2 Occ. |
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