μήποτε (= μή ποτε, and so written in WH, exc. Mat.25:9), negative particle, related to οὔποτε as μή to οὐ. 1) As neg. particle,
never: Heb.9:17 (R, mg, but see infr; WH, txt, μή τότε). 2) As conjc, lest ever, lest haply (the idea of chance rather than of time seems to prevail in NT): Mat.4:6 (LXX) Mat.5:25 7:6 13:15 " (LXX), Mat.13:29 15:32 27:64, Mrk.4:12 " (LXX) Mrk.14:2, Luk.4:11 12:58 14:12, 29, Act.28:27; after verbs of fearing or taking heed, Luk.21:34, Heb.2:1 3:12 4:1; with ellipse of the verb or ptcp, Luk.14:8, Act.5:39; in later writers (see M,
Pr., 192 f.), perhaps, Mat.25:9. 3)
As interrogative; (a)
in direct questions, like μή, expecting a negative answer: Jhn.7:26, Heb.9:17, (R, txt, cf. Westc, in l; but see supr.); (b)
in indirect questions, whether haply, if haply: Luk.3:15, 2Ti.2:25. (
AS)