Original Word: οὐ μή
Part of Speech: Particle
Transliteration: ou mé
Pronunciation: oo may
Phonetic Spelling: (oo may)
KJV: 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)
Word Origin: [i.e. G3756 (οὐ - no) and G3361 (μή - no)]

1. a double negative strengthening the denial, "not at all"

anymore, at all, neither, never

I.e. ou and me; 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 me ouk.

see GREEK me

see GREEK me ouk

see GREEK ou

3364 ou mḗ (from 3756 /ou, " not a fact" and 3361 /mḗ, "not a possibility") – a double negative which emphatically conveys, "not a fact . . . not even a possibility!" – literally, "no, no!"

[In English, a double negative has a positive meaning. In Greek, a double negative is extra-emphatic, expressing very dramatic, forceful negation.]

Word Origin
see ou, and mé.

Nature and Function

The phrase οὐ μή combines the two primary Greek negatives to form the strongest way of denying something. Employed predominantly with the aorist or future subjunctive, it rules out even a potential occurrence and conveys an iron-clad certainty that an event “will absolutely never” happen or, conversely, that something promised “will by no means fail.” It is the linguistic equivalent of placing a divine seal on the statement that follows.

Distribution in Scripture

Although catalogued under a single Strong’s number, οὐ μή is not a stand-alone word but a two-word construction that appears scores of times across the New Testament, especially in the Gospels and the Epistle to the Hebrews. Its presence often marks the climactic assurance of a promise or the decisive rejection of a possibility. Examples include:

• Assurance of Christ’s abiding word: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
• Promise of sustained life: “Whoever believes in Me will never die.” (John 11:26)
• Finality of judgment: “They will never enter My rest.” (Hebrews 3:11)

The Septuagint, too, uses οὐ μή to translate emphatic Hebrew negatives such as לֹא + אִם or לֹא + a doubling particle, thereby preserving the Hebrew resolve in Greek garb. This continuity allows New Testament writers to echo covenant language familiar from the Old Testament.

Emphatic Negation and Covenant Certainty

When God declares οὐ μή, He is binding Himself to a course of action. Hebrews 13:5 joins a five-fold negative to affirm, “I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you,” hearkening back to Deuteronomy 31:6. Such stacking of negatives is not rhetorical excess but covenant liturgy; it communicates the impossibility of divine failure.

The prophets often couched future hope in similar terms. Isaiah 54:10 (LXX), for instance, records, “My covenant of peace shall never be removed.” The New Testament adopts this pattern to assure believers of the unchangeable nature of salvation in Christ.

Christological Emphasis

Jesus frequently employed οὐ μή to underscore the security of His followers. John 6:37 declares, “Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away.” Matthew 26:29 uses the phrase to speak of His postponed fellowship in the kingdom: “I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day….” In each case, the construction seals His word with messianic authority.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Assurance of Salvation: Passages such as John 10:28 (“they will never perish”) form a bulwark for the doctrine of eternal security. Pastors may lean on the emphatic negation to comfort struggling saints.
2. Holiness Motivation: Conversely, Hebrews 10:17 (“their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more”) provides both relief from guilt and impetus for holy living.
3. Courage in Mission: Matthew 28:20 closes the Great Commission with the promise, “I am with you always,” reinforced by the underlying οὐ μή idea of unfailing presence.

Historical and Linguistic Notes

Koine Greek retained οὐ μή from Classical usage but with heightened theological weight in Scripture. Greek authors outside the Bible employ it for strong denial, yet in biblical contexts it is uniquely tethered to divine certitude. Early Church Fathers recognized this and used οὐ μή passages in debates on apostasy and perseverance.

Relation to Faith Response

The presence of οὐ μή does not negate human responsibility but rather frames it. The certainty of divine action invites faith: “Whoever believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) The promise is sure; the call to trust remains urgent.

Conclusion

Οὐ μή stands as a linguistic pillar supporting many of Scripture’s most precious promises and sternest warnings. Whether assuring believers that God will “by no means leave” or declaring that the unrepentant “shall never enter” His rest, the construction communicates an unassailable verdict. For preaching, teaching, and personal exhortation, recognizing the weight carried by this double negative enriches both understanding and faith.

ουInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts