οὐ
no, not
Definition
οὐ is the primary negative particle in Greek, used to deny facts, statements, or questions. It is the standard word for 'no' or 'not' and is used to negate indicative verbs, making an absolute denial of objective reality (e.g., Matthew 1:25, 'he knew her not'). This contrasts with μή (G3361), which typically negates non-indicative moods and expresses subjective negation like prohibition or conditionality. In the New Testament, οὐ is often used in emphatic denials of key theological truths, such as Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:17, 'I have not come to abolish the Law.'
Biblical Usage
οὐ appears over 1,400 times in the New Testament, making it the most common negative. It is used uniformly across all books and genres to negate factual statements. A common pattern is its use in rhetorical questions expecting a 'no' answer, as in Matthew 7:16, 'Do grapes come from thornbushes?' It is also frequently paired with other particles for emphasis, such as οὐ μή (emphatic negation, e.g., John 4:14).
Etymology
Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ne, meaning 'not,' which is also the source for Latin 'non' and English 'no.' In classical and Koine Greek, οὐ remained the standard, unmarked negative for factual denial. Its form is invariant and does not decline.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it frames key doctrinal denials and affirmations. For instance, in Matthew 4:4, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, 'Man shall not live by bread alone,' using οὐ to absolutely negate a false premise. Understanding the force of οὐ helps readers discern when the biblical text is making an absolute, objective denial, which is crucial for doctrines concerning Christ's nature (e.g., He did not sin), human inability (e.g., 'cannot please God,' Romans 8:8), and the certainty of God's promises (emphatic οὐ μή).
In the Greco-Roman world, οὐ was the straightforward, unambiguous word for factual negation in both common speech and formal rhetoric. Its usage in the New Testament aligns perfectly with this cultural understanding—there is no significant gap between its ancient and modern logical function as a negative.
μή (mē, G3361) — negates non-indicative moods (commands, wishes, conditions); expresses subjective negation, prohibition, or general statements.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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