Conjunction – δέ and μέν

ObjectivesLearning objectives

The syntax and semantics of the conjunctions δέ and μέν

VocabularyVocabulary

Greek	Gloss	Part of speech	Paradigm
ἡ βουλή, -ῆς	the plan	noun	B.a.α.i
ἡ διδαχή, -ῆς	the teaching	noun	B.a.α.i
ὡς	as/like	conjunction
βαπτίζομαι	(I) get baptized	verb	C.a.θ
πάλαι	formerly	adverb
πονηρός, -ή, -όν	evil	adjective	A.a.α

SyntaxSyntax: Conjunction – δέ and μέν

Both δέ and μέν belong to a class of conjunctions in Greek called post-positives. This means they cannot occur at the beginning of the clause they connect:

(124) ὁ δὲ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἔχει ποῦ τὴν κεφαλὴν κλίνῃ (Matt 8:20)
But the son of man does not have any place he might lay his head

We return to this example in the semantics section, but notice here that the clause connected with δέ begins with ὁ. This is what clauses with μέν and δέ look like. The conjunction will never begin the clause. As in our example, post-positives normally stand in the second position, but on occasion you will find them further back.

SemanticsSemantics: Conjunction – δέ and μέν

The conjunctions μέν and δέ normally contrast two things. In the majority of cases when μέν is used, it is found in the first clause and δέ will be in the second clause, and this usually sets up a contrast between the two:

Example 125Contrasting two things

Ἐγὼ μὲν ὕδατι βαπτίζω ὑμᾶς, ἔρχεται δὲ ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου…αὐτὸς βαπτίσει ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ (Luke 3:16)

While I am baptizing you with water, one greater than me is coming after me … he will baptize you with the holy spirit

John draws a contrast between himself and Jesus with the use of μέν in the first clause and δέ in the second. He describes Jesus as greater than himself and as baptizing with the Holy Spirit rather than with water. While μέν is sometimes used without δέ, another contrastive clause is normally implied. At other times, μέν and δέ are used together in lists:

Example 126In lists

(The seeds) bore fruit, some [μέν] one hundred-fold, others (δέ) sixty-fold, and others (δέ) thirty-fold (Matt 13:8)

Although μέν is normally used with δέ, the majority of occurrences of δέ, which is a very common conjunction, do not occur with μέν. As we have seen, δέ is used to mark contrast when used in combination with μέν, but it can also do so on its own. This use of δέ is very common, and we saw it above in our example from Matt 8:20 which contrasted the homes of foxes and birds with Jesus who does not have any place to lay his head. Within narratives, δέ is often used to introduce a new speaker talking:

Example 127Introduction of new speaker

ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς λέγει αὐτοῖς (Matt 21:16)

But Jesus says to them …

This sentence follows a statement from the chief priests and scribes, and the switch to Jesus being the speaker is marked with δέ.

Another example within narrative is when δέ is used to introduce the next event in a sequence:

Example 128Next event in a sequence

Ἔλεγεν δὲ ταύτην τὴν παραβολήν (Luke 13:6)

But he began saying this parable

This statement comes after Jesus talking about repentance; he is said to then (δέ) tell a parable about the same theme. In this kind of example, there is no contrast, and δέ is better approximated with something like ‘and then.’

Finally, δέ is also used with καί at times where καί means ‘also’ and δέ means ‘and’:

Example 129With καί introducing an additional (non-contrasting) element

… δὲ καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν γάμον (John 2:2)

… and both Jesus and his disciples (were called) to the wedding

End of Chapter 14Take the Chapter 14 exam10 questions covering all 4 lessons in this chapter

Become a fluent reader of the biblical languages

Biblingo is the only language-learning app (mobile and web) that provides everything you need to go from zero knowledge of Greek, Hebrew, and Latin to reading the Bible in its original and historic languages — all in one place.

Start Free Trial