ἵνα μή + Aorist Subjunctive Purpose Clause (Greek)¶
Definition¶
The construction ἵνα μή plus an aorist subjunctive introduces a negative purpose or prevention clause: "in order that X not happen," "so that X might not occur." The aorist subjunctive views the prevented event as a bounded occurrence, while μή is the normal negator for non-indicative moods.
- Negative purpose - states the intended non-occurrence of an action.
- Prevention after command/permission/action - follows verbs of command, request, permission, separation, confinement, or action designed to avert an outcome.
- Bounded event in view - the aorist subjunctive treats the possible action as a whole event, not as an ongoing process.
Form Recognition¶
- ἵνα (
CONJ) followed by μή (PRT-N). - A following aorist subjunctive verb, often
V-AAS-*orV-2AAS-*. - Usually translated "that ... not," "lest," or "so that ... not."
- Parser pattern:
CONJ PRT-N V-AAS-* - Parser search for verb:
tense=aorist mood=subjunctive
Functions with Examples¶
1. Prevention / Negative Purpose¶
| Reference | Greek | Morph Code | KJV Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luke 8:31 | ἵνα μὴ ἐπιτάξῃ | CONJ + PRT-N + V-AAS-3S | "that he would not command them" |
| John 19:31 | ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ | CONJ + PRT-N + V-AAS-3S | "that the bodies should not remain" |
| Rev 20:3 | ἵνα μὴ πλανήσῃ | CONJ + PRT-N + V-AAS-3S | "that he should deceive ... no more" |
The clause names the result intended to be prevented. In Rev 20:3 the prevented action is πλανήσῃ, an aorist active subjunctive of πλανάω.
2. Negative Purpose After Imperative or Directive Speech¶
| Reference | Greek | Morph Code | KJV Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rev 18:4 | ἵνα μὴ συνκοινωνήσητε | CONJ + PRT-N + V-AAS-2P | "that ye be not partakers" |
| Rev 18:4 | ἵνα μὴ λάβητε | CONJ + PRT-N + V-2AAS-2P | "that ye receive not" |
| 2 John 1:8 | ἵνα μὴ ἀπολέσητε | CONJ + PRT-N + V-AAS-2P | "that we lose not" |
The construction can follow a command or warning and supplies the negative purpose for the command.
3. Negative Purpose After Grant or Restriction¶
| Reference | Greek | Morph Code | KJV Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rev 9:5 | ἵνα μὴ ἀποκτείνωσιν | CONJ + PRT-N + V-AAS-3P | "that they should not kill them" |
| 2 Cor 10:9 | ἵνα μὴ δόξω | CONJ + PRT-N + V-AAS-1S | "that I may not seem" |
The syntax is the same whether the matrix clause is permission, request, command, or narrative action.
Contrast with Related Forms¶
| Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
ἵνα μή + aorist subjunctive |
negative purpose / prevention of bounded event | Rev 20:3 ἵνα μὴ πλανήσῃ |
ἵνα + aorist subjunctive |
positive purpose / intended event | Phil 2:10 κάμψῃ |
οὐ μή + subjunctive |
emphatic negation, not purpose by itself | Rev 18:7 οὐ μὴ ἴδω |
| μή + aorist subjunctive without ἵνα | prohibition or dependent negation, depending on syntax | Rev 22:10 μὴ σφραγίσῃς |
Rev 20:3 Parser-Verified Form¶
| Word | Lemma | Strong | Parsing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἵνα | ἵνα | G2443 | CONJ |
| μὴ | μή | G3361 | PRT-N |
| πλανήσῃ | πλανάω | G4105 | V-AAS-3S |
The phrase ἵνα μὴ πλανήσῃ ἔτι τὰ ἔθνη is a negative purpose clause. The grammar says the preceding action is ordered toward preventing the deception of the nations; theological identification and chronology are outside the grammar entry.
Generated from: greek_parser.py (--verse, --pattern, --lemma) Last updated: 2026-05-07