3777. oute
Lexical Summary
oute: Neither, nor

Original Word: οὔτε
Part of Speech: Conjunction,Negative
Transliteration: oute
Pronunciation: OO-teh
Phonetic Spelling: (oo'-teh)
KJV: neither, none, nor (yet), (no, yet) not, nothing
NASB: nor, neither, neither nor, or, either
Word Origin: [from G3756 (οὐ - no) and G5037 (τέ - both)]

1. not too, i.e. neither or nor
2. (by analogy) not even

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
neither, nor

From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even -- neither, none, nor (yet), (no, yet) not, nothing.

see GREEK ou

see GREEK te

HELPS Word-studies

3777 oúte (a conjunction derived from 3756 /ou, "not, denying as a fact" and 5037 /té, "also") – properly, nor (both not), neither also.

[3777 /oúte ("neither, nor") occurs 87 times in the critical text and 94 times in the Textus Receptus.]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ou, and te
Definition
and not, neither
NASB Translation
either (4), neither (11), neither...nor (4), neither...nor (11), neither...nor...nor (1), never* (1), no...either (1), nor (32), nothing (1), or (9), useless* (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3777: οὔτε

οὔτε (οὐ and τέ), an adjunctive negative conjunction (from Homer down) (differing fr., μήτε as οὐ does from μή (which see ad at the beginning), and from οὐδέ as μήτε does from μηδέ; see μήτε and οὐδέ), neither; and not.

1. Examples in which οὔτε stands singly:

a. οὐ ... οὔτε, Revelation 12:8 Rec. (where G L T Tr WH οὐδέ); Revelation 20:4 R G (where L T Tr WH οὐδέ); οὐδείς ἄξιος εὑρέθη ἀνοῖξαι τό βιβλίον οὔτε βλέπειν αὐτό, Revelation 5:4; cf. Winers Grammar, 491 (457); Buttmann, 367 (315); οὐ ... οὐδέ ... οὔτε, 1 Thessalonians 2:3 R G (where L T Tr WH more correctly οὐδέ) (Winers Grammar, 493 (459); Buttmann, 368 (315)); οὐδέ ... οὔτε (so that οὔτε answers only to the οὐ in οὐδέ), Galatians 1:12 R G T WH text (Winers Grammar, 492 (458); Buttmann, 366 (314)).

b. οὔτε ... καί, like Latinneque ...et, neither ... and: John 4:11; 3 John 1:10 (Euripides, Iph. T. 591; but the more common Greek usage was οὐ ... τέ, cf. Klotz ad Devar. 2:2, p. 714; Passow, under the word, B. 2; (Liddell and Scott, under the word, II. 4); Winers Grammar, § 55, 7; (Buttmann, § 149, 13 c.)).

c. By a solecism οὔτε is put for οὐδέ, not ... even: 1 Corinthians 3:2 Rec. (where G L T Tr WH οὐδέ) (Winers Grammar, 493 (459); Buttmann, 367 (315); § 149, 13 f.); Mark 5:3 R G (where L T Tr WH have restored οὐδέ (Winers Grammar, 490 (456); Buttmann, as above)); Luke 12:26 R G (where L T Tr WH οὐδέ (Winers Grammar, as above and 478 (445); Buttmann, 347 (298))); οὔτε μετενόησαν, Revelation 9:20 R L Tr (where G WH text οὐ, T οὐδέ not ... even; WH marginal reading οὔτε or οὐδέ (cf. Buttmann, 367 (315))); after the question μή δύναται ... σῦκα; follows οὔτε ἁλυκόν γλυκύ ποιῆσαι ὕδωρ, James 3:12 G L T Tr WH (as though οὔτε δύναται ... σῦκα had previously been in the writer's mind (cf. Winers Grammar, 493 (459); Buttmann, as above)).

2. used twice or more, neither ... nor (Latinnec ...nec;neque ...neque): Matthew 6:20; Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; (Mark 14:68 L text T Tr WH); Luke 14:35 (34); John 4:21; John 5:37; John 8:19; John 9:3; Acts 15:10; Acts 19:37; Acts 25:8; Acts 28:21; Romans 8:38f (where οὔτε occurs ten times); 1 Corinthians 3:7; 1 Corinthians 6:9f; (οὔτε eight times (yet T WH Tr marginal reading the eighth time οὐ)); ; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; Revelation 3:15; Revelation 9:20; Revelation 21:4; οὔτε ... οὔτε ... οὐδέ (German auchnicht, also not), L Tr WH in Luke 20:35f, and L T Tr marginal reading WH in Acts 24:12f; cf. Winers Grammar, 491 (457f); Buttmann, 368 (315) note.

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usage Across Scripture

Strong’s 3777 marks the negative correlative “neither…nor.” By pairing with itself or with μή/οὐ, it excludes every alternative under consideration. The term appears 87 times, scattered through narrative, discourse, parable, epistle, and apocalypse, supplying a consistent device for total negation.

Structural Function in Koine Greek

Οὔτε normally links two (or more) syntactically parallel elements—subjects, verbs, objects, clauses—to form one integrated denial. It may introduce the first element of the pair (e.g., Matthew 6:20) or follow a preceding negative (e.g., Romans 8:38). Because the conjunction assumes previous knowledge of both elements, it tightens argumentation and prevents ambiguity, showing that no part of the set escapes the negation.

Emphasis on Exclusivity and Exhaustiveness

Scripture often employs οὔτε to underscore comprehensive exclusion:
Matthew 22:30—no marriage relationships apply to resurrected saints.
John 5:37—neither audible voice nor visible form of the Father had been perceived by Jesus’ opponents.
Acts 24:12—Paul denies every accusation of riotous conduct, whether in synagogue, city, or temple.

The device assures the reader that alternative possibilities have been considered and decisively ruled out.

Key Theological Passages

1. Soteriology: Romans 8:38-39 compresses ten antithetical pairs, seven of them bound by οὔτε, to proclaim unbreakable union with Christ. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2. Pneumatology: 1 Corinthians 12:13 (implicitly) and Galatians 5:6 employ οὔτε to deny salvific value to ritual or ethnicity: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith expressed through love.”
3. Eschatology: Revelation 21:4 closes the canon with a cluster of οὔτε phrases: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,” asserting a total eradication of every curse.

Christological and Soteriological Implications

By declaring what is categorically absent, οὔτε sharpens what is gloriously present. In Hebrews-like fashion (though Hebrews does not use 3777), the New Testament negates human merit and angelic mediation, intensifying the sufficiency of Christ alone. Each οὔτε eliminates a potential rival—works, lineage, observances—so that grace stands solitary.

Ecclesial and Ethical Applications

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul strings nine οὔτε clauses to indict habitual unrighteousness: “Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers…nor thieves…will inherit the kingdom of God.” Such exhaustive lists guide church discipline and personal examination, leaving no loophole for cherished sin while also preparing the ground for the gospel’s transforming “but you were washed” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Eschatological Assurance

Οὔτε offers comfort to persecuted believers:
Revelation 3:15-16 warns Laodicea that neither hot nor cold devotion marks them, exposing spiritual complacency.
Revelation 5:3-4 reports that “no one in heaven nor on earth nor under the earth was able to open the scroll,” preparing readers for the Lamb’s unique worthiness (Revelation 5:5).

The stark negation heightens anticipation of divine intervention.

Homiletical Observations

Preachers can lean on οὔτε to frame sermons emphasizing absolute statements:
• “No middle ground” texts (Matthew 12:32).
• “No divided loyalties” calls (Luke 14:35).
• “No condemnation” assurances (Romans 8:38-39).

The conjunction’s rhythmic pairing readily forms antithetic parallelism that congregations remember.

Historical Reception and Translation Choices

Early Latin versions (neque…neque), Syriac (lā…w’lā), and later vernacular translations all sought to preserve the double-negative force. Reformation translators consistently rendered οὔτε with two “nor/neither” forms, maintaining emphatic cadence. Modern dynamic-equivalence translations sometimes collapse paired οὔτε phrases into a single clause, but traditional renderings better reflect the apostolic rhetorical punch.

Practical Ministry Takeaways

1. Use οὔτε passages to counsel believers wavering between options Scripture denies (e.g., syncretism, legalism).
2. In apologetics, highlight Romans 8:38-39 to show unbelievers the exhaustive scope of gospel security.
3. During funerals, read Revelation 21:4 to paint the coming new creation where οὔτε waves away every sorrow.
4. Dedicate catechetical sessions to 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, pairing the negative catalogue with the positive gospel indicatives.

Through eighty-seven Spirit-breathed instances, οὔτε teaches the church to embrace definitive boundaries, reject false inclusions, and rest in the absolute sufficiency of God’s redemptive plan.

Forms and Transliterations
ουδέ ουτε ούτε οὔτε oute oúte
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 6:20 Conj
GRK: οὐρανῷ ὅπου οὔτε σὴς οὔτε
NAS: in heaven, where neither moth nor
KJV: heaven, where neither moth nor
INT: heaven where neither moth nor

Matthew 6:20 Conj
GRK: οὔτε σὴς οὔτε βρῶσις ἀφανίζει
NAS: neither moth nor rust destroys,
KJV: neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
INT: neither moth nor rust destroys

Matthew 12:32 Conj
GRK: ἀφεθήσεται αὐτῷ οὔτε ἐν τούτῳ
NAS: it shall not be forgiven him, either in this
KJV: be forgiven him, neither in this
INT: it will be forgiven him neither in this

Matthew 12:32 Conj
GRK: τῷ αἰῶνι οὔτε ἐν τῷ
NAS: in this age or in the [age] to come.
KJV: world, neither in
INT: the age nor in the

Matthew 22:30 Conj
GRK: τῇ ἀναστάσει οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε
NAS: For in the resurrection they neither marry
KJV: the resurrection they neither marry,
INT: the resurrection neither do they marry nor

Matthew 22:30 Conj
GRK: οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε γαμίζονται ἀλλ'
NAS: marry nor are given in marriage,
KJV: marry, nor are given in marriage,
INT: neither do they marry nor are given in marriage but

Mark 12:25 Conj
GRK: νεκρῶν ἀναστῶσιν οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε
NAS: from the dead, they neither marry
KJV: from the dead, they neither marry, nor
INT: [the] dead they rise neither do they marry nor

Mark 12:25 Conj
GRK: οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε γαμίζονται ἀλλ'
NAS: marry nor are given in marriage,
KJV: marry, nor are given in marriage;
INT: neither do they marry nor are given in marriage but

Mark 14:68 Conj
GRK: ἠρνήσατο λέγων Οὔτε οἶδα οὔτε
NAS: [it], saying, I neither know
INT: he denied saying Not I know nor even

Mark 14:68 Conj
GRK: Οὔτε οἶδα οὔτε ἐπίσταμαι σὺ
NAS: I neither know nor understand what
INT: Not I know nor even understand you

Luke 14:35 Conj
GRK: οὔτε εἰς γῆν
NAS: It is useless either for the soil
KJV: It is neither fit for
INT: Neither for soil

Luke 14:35 Conj
GRK: εἰς γῆν οὔτε εἰς κοπρίαν
NAS: It is useless either for the soil or
KJV: the land, nor yet for
INT: for soil nor for manure

Luke 20:35 Conj
GRK: ἐκ νεκρῶν οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε
NAS: from the dead, neither marry
KJV: from the dead, neither marry, nor
INT: from among [the] dead neither marry nor

Luke 20:35 Conj
GRK: οὔτε γαμοῦσιν οὔτε γαμίζονται
NAS: marry nor are given in marriage;
KJV: marry, nor are given in marriage:
INT: neither marry nor are given in marriage

John 4:11 Conj
GRK: γυνή Κύριε οὔτε ἄντλημα ἔχεις
NAS: You have nothing to draw
KJV: thou hast nothing to draw with,
INT: woman Sir nothing to draw with you have

John 4:21 Conj
GRK: ὥρα ὅτε οὔτε ἐν τῷ
NAS: when neither in this
KJV: when ye shall neither in this
INT: an hour when neither on the

John 4:21 Conj
GRK: ὄρει τούτῳ οὔτε ἐν Ἰεροσολύμοις
NAS: mountain nor in Jerusalem
KJV: this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem,
INT: mountain this nor in Jerusalem

John 5:37 Conj
GRK: περὶ ἐμοῦ οὔτε φωνὴν αὐτοῦ
NAS: Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard
KJV: me. Ye have neither heard his
INT: concerning me Neither voice of him

John 5:37 Conj
GRK: πώποτε ἀκηκόατε οὔτε εἶδος αὐτοῦ
NAS: at any time nor seen
KJV: voice at any time, nor seen his
INT: at any time have you heard nor form of him

John 8:19 Conj
GRK: ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς Οὔτε ἐμὲ οἴδατε
NAS: You know neither Me nor
KJV: answered, Ye neither know me,
INT: Answered Jesus Neither me you know

John 8:19 Conj
GRK: ἐμὲ οἴδατε οὔτε τὸν πατέρα
NAS: You know neither Me nor My Father; if
KJV: know me, nor my Father:
INT: me you know nor the Father

John 9:3 Conj
GRK: ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς Οὔτε οὗτος ἥμαρτεν
NAS: answered, [It was] neither [that] this man
KJV: Jesus answered, Neither hath this man
INT: Answered Jesus Neither this [man] sinned

John 9:3 Conj
GRK: οὗτος ἥμαρτεν οὔτε οἱ γονεῖς
NAS: sinned, nor his parents;
KJV: this man sinned, nor his parents:
INT: this [man] sinned nor the parents

Acts 2:31 Conj
GRK: χριστοῦ ὅτι οὔτε ἐνκατελείφθη εἰς
NAS: of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED
INT: Christ that neither was left in

Acts 2:31 Conj
GRK: εἰς ᾅδην οὔτε ἡ σὰρξ
NAS: TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh
INT: in Hades nor the flesh

Strong's Greek 3777
87 Occurrences


οὔτε — 87 Occ.

3776
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