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μηδείς

mēdeís

G3367 indefinite pronoun

SILEX Entry

Root μη- not, not one, none, no one, nothing

Definition

Negative pronoun meaning 'no one, nothing, not even one.' Used to indicate total absence or exclusion of persons or things, with emphasis on not a single instance or amount. Frequently functions as a substantive (without a noun), adjectival (modifying a noun), or adverbial in negating both animate and inanimate referents. Commonly appears in negative clauses and questions, or following certain particles and verbs of prohibition or denial, to reinforce absolute exclusion.

Semantic Range

no one, none, not one, nothing, not at all, no person, no thing, not even one (person or thing), none at all, by no means

Root / Etymology

From the negative particle μή ('not' used with non-indicative verbs or in certain constructions) and εἷς ('one'). The word is a compound formed by crasis, common in Greek negative pronouns/adjectives.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μηδείς appears throughout Koine Greek texts (including the Septuagint and New Testament) to negate the presence or involvement of any person or thing. It is distinguished from οὐδείς, which combines οὐ ('not,' typically with the indicative mood) with εἷς. While both forms mean 'no one, nothing,' μηδείς is used in non-indicative, volitional, or subjunctive moods, and after verbs requiring μή (e.g., prohibitions, wishes, potential actions), whereas οὐδείς follows the rules for οὐ. The word is found in earlier Greek, but continues standardly into Koine. English translations often vary depending on the context, using 'no one,' 'none,' 'nothing,' but may fail to reflect the modal nuance of μή. In the Septuagint and New Testament, μηδείς may refer to both persons or things, without regard to gender or number, and can be used absolutely (as the only word in a clause) or attributively. Its use is strictly grammatical, not influenced by theological interpretation or later traditions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μή and εἷς; not even one (man, woman, thing):--any (man, thing), no (man), none, not (at all, any man, a whit), nothing, + without delay.

Root Family

μηδείς (mēdeis) — not, not one, none, no one, nothing

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3367-03 μηδὲν meden PRO.I NOM N SG nothing nothing 35
G3367-05 μηδενὶ medeni PRO.I DAT M SG no one to no one 21
G3367-01 μηδεὶς medeis PRO.I NOM M SG no one not even one 15
G3367-04 μηδένα medena PRO.I ACC M SG no one no one 8
G3367-02 μηδεμίαν medemian QUAN ACC F SG no not even one 7
G3367-06 μηδενὸς medenos PRO.I GEN N SG no of nothing 3
G3367-07 μηθὲν methen PRO.I ACC N SG nothing nothing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

90 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3367-05 Matthew 8:4 μηδενὶ medeni PRO.I DAT M SG to no one
G3367-01 Matthew 9:30 μηδεὶς medeis PRO.I NOM M SG not even one
G3367-05 Matthew 16:20 μηδενὶ medeni PRO.I DAT M SG to no one
G3367-05 Matthew 17:9 μηδενὶ medeni PRO.I DAT M SG to no one
G3367-03 Matthew 27:19 μηδὲν meden PRO.I NOM N SG nothing
G3367-05 Mark 1:44 μηδενὶ medeni PRO.I DAT M SG to anyone to no one
G3367-03 Mark 1:44 μηδὲν meden PRO.I ACC N SG nothing nothing
G3367-03 Mark 5:26 μηδὲν meden PRO.I ACC N SG not nothing
G3367-01 Mark 5:43 μηδεὶς medeis PRO.I NOM M SG no one not even one
G3367-03 Mark 6:8 μηδὲν meden PRO.I ACC N SG nothing nothing
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