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μήτι

mḗti

G3385 particle

SILEX Entry

Root μή-, τι- not (negation), anything (neuter pronoun)

Definition

Interrogative particle introducing a question expecting a negative answer; it marks a question in which the expected or desired answer is 'no,' often conveying doubt, disbelief, or rhetorical negation. It is sometimes used to express incredulity or to prompt denial from the respondent.

Semantic Range

interrogative particle seeking a negative answer, rhetorical question expressing doubt or denial, affirming or rejecting a suggestion by anticipatory negation

Root / Etymology

From μή (not, expressing strong negation) and the enclitic indefinite pronoun τὶ (something, anything) in the neuter accusative singular; originally μή + τι ("not anything?" or "is it so?"); the form contracted to μήτι; used as a composite interrogative particle.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, μήτι is attested as an interrogative particle primarily in direct questions, usually seeking or anticipating a negative response. In Koine Greek, especially in the New Testament and Septuagint, μήτι retains this nuanced function: it frames yes/no (polar) questions where the answer 'no' is implied or desired by the speaker (e.g., John 4:29, "μήτι οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός;"—'This isn't the anointed one, is it?'). The presence of μήτι at the beginning of a clause signals to the reader or hearer that the question is not posed neutrally but leads or presupposes a negative response. This differs from εἰ and εἰ μή, which can mark conditional or less rhetorically-loaded questions. Standard English translations ('surely not,' 'it isn't... is it?') often attempt to reflect this expectation, but there is no one-to-one particle in English. The use of μήτι is more restricted than μή in questions, being specialized for this negative-anticipatory function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μή and the neuter of τὶς; whether at all:--not (the particle usually not expressed, except by the form of the question).

Root Family

μήτι (mēti) — not, anything, rhetorical negation, interrogative doubt

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G3385-01 μήτι meti T perhaps surely not? 18

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G3385-01 Matthew 7:16 μήτι meti T surely not?
G3385-01 Matthew 12:23 μήτι meti T surely not?
G3385-01 Matthew 26:22 μήτι meti T surely not?
G3385-01 Matthew 26:25 μήτι meti T surely not?
G3385-01 Mark 4:21 μήτι meti T Surely not surely not?
G3385-01 Mark 14:19 μήτι meti T surely not surely not?
G3385-01 Luke 6:39 μήτι meti T can...? surely not?
G3385-01 Luke 9:13 μήτι meti T perhaps surely not?
G3385-01 John 4:29 μήτι meti T Is not surely not?
G3385-01 John 8:22 μήτι meti T Surely not surely not?
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