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μέν

mén

G3303 particle

SILEX Entry

Definition

μέν is a particle used to indicate affirmation, emphasis, or to set up a contrast that is commonly completed with δέ (but) as a pair. Its primary lexical meaning is to mark something as worthy of special attention, or to signal that a statement will be balanced, contrasted, or supplemented by another. Depending on context, it can be translated as 'indeed,' 'on the one hand,' or left untranslated when its function is purely discursive.

Semantic Range

affirmation, concessive marker, emphatic particle, contrastive marker (in coordination with δέ), discourse organizer, marker of expectation for contrasting or supplementary information

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: The origin of μέν is uncertain; it operates as a primary particle in Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historical & Contextual Notes: In classical Greek, μέν is frequently used in the construction μέν ... δέ, serving to coordinate or contrast ideas (e.g. 'on the one hand ... on the other'). The pair organizes discourse, with μέν marking the first member and signaling an expectation of a balancing element, often introduced by δέ. In some cases, especially in later and Koine Greek—including the New Testament—μέν may stand alone, imparting affirmation or emphasis ('indeed,' 'truly'), though often its force is stylistic and not directly translatable. English translations sometimes render μέν with words such as 'indeed,' 'truly,' or ignore it altogether, as its discursive function does not always have an equivalent. The term can also combine with other particles for intensified meanings but remains fundamentally distinct from assertion or oath forms. Its use is pervasive in written and spoken Greek from the classical through the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Translational traditions can obscure its discourse-structuring function, as English usually does not replicate the μέν ... δέ pairing explicitly.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.

Root Family

μέν (men) — affirmation, emphasis, contrast marking

Root μεν to affirm, to mark contrast, to emphasize

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3303-01 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed 178

Occurrences in Scripture

178 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3303-01 Matthew 3:11 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 9:37 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 10:13 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 13:4 μὲν men PART [indeed] indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 13:8 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 13:23 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 13:32 μέν men PART indeed indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 16:3 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 16:14 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed
G3303-01 Matthew 17:11 μὲν men PART indeed indeed indeed
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