BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Me (μή) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
μή (Strong's G3361) is a Greek adverb/conjunction meaning 'not' or 'lest,' used in prohibitions, conditional clauses, and questions expecting a negative answer.
Meaning of the word
μή is a particle that functions as an adverb of negation ('not') or as a conjunction meaning 'lest' or 'that...not.' It appears frequently in prohibitions (commands forbidding an action) and in clauses expressing purpose or result where a negative outcome is to be avoided.
The word is also used in indirect questions where a negative answer is presumed. The lexicon entry notes that in such interrogative uses it implies a negative answer, contrasting with G3756 (οὐ), which expects an affirmative reply. This distinction is grammatical rather than semantic emphasis: μή reflects the speaker's expectation or wish, not objective fact.
Usage in Scripture
In the Sermon on the Mount, μή appears repeatedly in Jesus' negative commands: 'Think not that I came to destroy the law' (Matthew 5:17), 'swear not at all' (Matthew 5:34), 'resist not him that is evil' (Matthew 5:39). These are prohibitions, the most common use of μή in imperatival contexts.
μή also introduces clauses warning against an undesirable outcome, as in 'Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge' (Matthew 5:25). Here the conjunction sense ('lest') is at work, expressing the negative purpose of swift reconciliation.
The word in detail
- G3361 μή primarily negates the mood or volition of a clause (prohibitions, wishes, conditions) rather than declaring objective fact, distinguishing it in role from the factual negation οὐ (G3756, Strong's G3756).
Example verses
- Matthew 5:17 μή in a direct prohibition: 'Think not' addresses the mind's tendency to misunderstand Jesus' relation to the Law.
- Matthew 5:25 μή functioning as 'lest,' warning of the negative outcome (prison) if reconciliation is delayed.
- Matthew 5:34 In 'swear not at all,' μή marks a sweeping categorical prohibition introduced by 'I say unto you.'
- Matthew 5:39 μή in 'resist not' frames the command as a moral stance rather than a tactical suggestion.
Common questions
Is μή the same as οὐ?
No. μή (G3361) typically negates mood-related constructions such as prohibitions, conditions, and wishes. οὐ (G3756) is the factual negation used with indicative statements. The distinction is grammatical, not about stronger vs. weaker negation.
What is the most common use of μή in the New Testament?
μή appears most often in prohibitions (commands forbidding an action), as in 'swear not' or 'think not.' It also introduces purpose clauses meaning 'lest' or 'that...not.'
Where does μή appear in Matthew 5?
The provided examples in Matthew 5 show μή in prohibitions (5:17, 5:18, 5:20, 5:34, 5:39, 5:42, 6:1-3) and as 'lest' (5:25, 5:26). These cluster heavily in the Sermon on the Mount.