οὐ μή
ou mḗ
G3364
SILEX Entry
Definition
A strongly emphatic double negative, combining prohibitive (οὐ) and subjunctive (μή) negators, used to assert that something will absolutely not occur; expresses an emphatic denial or prohibition, especially with verbs in the subjunctive mood or future tense.
Semantic Range
emphatic denial, absolute negation, strong prohibition, rhetorical assurance that something will never occur, 'by no means', 'certainly not', 'in no case', 'never under any circumstances'
Root / Etymology
Formed by the juxtaposition of οὐ (objective negation) and μή (subjective or potential negation). Often used together for emphasis, particularly before subjunctive verbs; functionally a grammatical construction rather than a compound word.
Historical & Contextual Notes
οὐ μή is a distinctly emphatic negative phrase, typical of later Greco-Roman Greek (especially Koine), intensifying the negative force found in either particle alone. In the New Testament and similar Koine texts, it is most commonly followed by an aorist or future subjunctive verb, serving to stress that an action will 'never, by any means' happen. Classical Greek generally did not use οὐ μή in this way; the construction is especially characteristic of Hellenistic and NT Greek, where it often corresponds to a rhetorical assurance that something cannot or will not take place. Standard English translations with phrases like 'shall not ever' or 'will by no means' do not fully reflect the emphatic force of the construction, and occasionally render it with multiple negatives for impact.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
i.e. οὐ and μή; a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all:--any more, at all, by any (no) means, neither, never, no (at all), in no case (wise), nor ever, not (at all, in any wise). Compare μὴ οὐκ.
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.