Strong's Lexicon méti: "whether," "if," "surely not," "is it?" Original Word: μήτι Word Origin: Derived from μή (mē), a primary particle of qualified negation, and the enclitic particle τίς (tis), meaning "anyone" or "anything." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for the Greek particle μήτι, similar rhetorical questioning can be found in Hebrew using particles like הֲ (ha) or אִם (im), which also introduce questions expecting a negative response. Usage: The Greek particle μήτι is used primarily in rhetorical questions that anticipate a negative response. It is often employed to express doubt or to challenge the listener to consider the improbability of a situation. In the New Testament, it is used to introduce questions that expect a "no" answer, thereby emphasizing the speaker's disbelief or skepticism about the proposition. Cultural and Historical Background: In the context of Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament, rhetorical questions were a common device used in teaching and dialogue. The use of μήτι would have been understood by contemporary audiences as a way to provoke thought or to lead the listener to a particular conclusion. This form of questioning was prevalent in both Jewish and Greco-Roman rhetorical traditions, serving as a tool for persuasion and clarification. HELPS Word-studies 3385 mḗti (from 3361 /mḗ, "not" and 5101 /tís, "anything") – properly, not perhaps, "no on first blush (reaction)" – while still keeping "the possibility open" to elicit the desired reaction from the listener (reader). 3385 (mḗti) then draws out an immediate "no," while still conjuring the idea, "unless . . . ". Example: Jn 4:29: "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not (3385 /mḗti) the Christ, is it?" (NASU). A. T. Robertson, "Is not this the Christ (3385 /mḗti) . . . " elicits "the negative answer ('this cannot be') . . . 'unless He really is the Christ!' (holding out the 'diplomatic possibility') and thus heightening their interest" (WS, 429,30). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mé and the neut. of tis Definition can this be? (interrog. particle expecting a neg. answer) NASB Translation cannot (1), cannot* (1), perhaps (1), surely (4), surely no (1), unless* (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3385: μήτιμήτι (so G T WH R (commonly), but μή τί L (except 1 Corinthians 6:3) Tr (except Matthew 26:22, 25; Mark 4:21)) (μή and τί), whether at all, whether perchance, an interrogative expecting a negative answer; in a direct question (German doch nicht etwa? (in English generally untranslated; cf. Winers Grammar, § 57, 3 b.; Buttmann, 248 (213))): Matthew 7:16; Matthew 26:22, 25; Mark 4:21; Mark 14:19; Luke 6:39; John 7:31 (R G); Strong's Exhaustive Concordance notFrom me and the neuter of tis; whether at all -- not (the particle usually not expressed, except by the form of the question). see GREEK me see GREEK tis Forms and Transliterations μη μητι μήτι meti mēti mḗtiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 7:16 Prtcl-IGRK: ἐπιγνώσεσθε αὐτούς μήτι συλλέγουσιν ἀπὸ INT: you will know them not Do they gather from Matthew 12:23 Prtcl-I Matthew 26:22 Prtcl-I Matthew 26:25 Prtcl-I Mark 4:21 Prtcl-I Mark 14:19 Prtcl-I Luke 6:39 Prtcl-I Luke 9:13 Prtcl-I John 4:29 Prtcl-I John 8:22 Prtcl-I John 18:35 Prtcl-I Acts 10:47 Prtcl-I 1 Corinthians 7:5 Prtcl-I 2 Corinthians 1:17 Prtcl-I 2 Corinthians 12:18 Prtcl-I 2 Corinthians 13:5 Prtcl-I James 3:11 Prtcl-I |
|
