γέ

γέ (Hom.+; apolog. exc. Ar.) enclit. particle, appended to the word or words it refers to; as in Hom.+ it serves to “focus the attention upon a single idea, and place it, as it were, in the limelight: differing thus from δή, which emphasizes the reality of a concept (though in certain respects the usages of the two particles are similar)” (Denniston 114). In oral utterance it would be accompanied by a change in pitch of voice at certain points in the context, and a translator may use an adverb or indicate the point through word order, choice of typeface, or punctuation at least, even, indeed, etc.

ⓐ without other particles

α. limiting at least, at any rate (cp. Just., A I, 4, 4 ὅσον γε ἐκ τοῦ ὀνόματος ‘at least so far as [one can derive a reason for punishment] from the name Christian’): at least διά γε τὴν ἀναίδειαν at least because of (his) shamelessness, persistence (?) Lk 11:8. διά γε τὸ παρέχειν μοι κόπον yet because she bothers me 18:5.

β. intensive (Mel., HE 4, 26, 11 πολύ γε φιλανθρωποτέραν [γνώμην]; cp. Just., D. 127, 2 [of God] ὅς γε ἦν καὶ πρὶν τὸν κόσμον γενέσθαι): even ὅς γε τοῦ ἰδίου υἱοῦ οὐκ ἐφείσατο who did not spare even his own son Ro 8:32. ἁμαρτία γέ ἐστιν indeed, it is a sin Hv 1, 1, 8.

ⓑ added to other particles (for ἄρα γε s. ἄρα, ἆρα; for ἀλλά γε s. ἀλλά):

α. εἴ γε if indeed, inasmuch as (Kühner-G. II 177c) Eph 3:2; 4:21; Col 1:23. τοσαῦτα ἐπάθετε εἰκῇ; εἴ γε καὶ εἰκῇ have you experienced so many things in vain? If it really was in vain Gal 3:4. εἴ γε καὶ ἐκδυσάμενοι οὐ γυμνοὶ εὑρεθησόμεθα assuming, of course, that we shall not be found naked after having put off (our earthly habitation) (sim. NRSV; difft. REB) 2 Cor 5:3. S. also AcPl Ha 8, 24f s.v. εἰ 6b.

β. εἰ δὲ μή γε otherwise (Pla. et al.; Epict. 3, 22, 27; Jos., Bell. 6, 120, Ant. 17, 113; IRG IV, 833; POxy 1159, 6; Mitt-Wilck I/2, 167, 25; PGM 4, 2629; Da 3:15; Bel 8).

א. after affirmative clauses: εἰ δὲ μή γε (sc. προσέχετε), μισθὸν οὐκ ἔχετε otherwise you have no reward Mt 6:1; cp. Lk 10:6. Elliptically: κἂν μὲν ποιήσῃ καρπὸν εἰς τὸ μέλλον• εἰ δὲ μή γε, ἐκκόψεις αὐτήν if in the future it bears fruit (very well); otherwise have it cut down 13:9.

ב. after a negative statement: οὐδὲ βάλλουσιν οἶνον νέον εἰς ἀσκοὺς παλαιούς. εἰ δὲ μή γε, ῥήγνυνται new wine is not poured into old skins; otherwise they burst Mt 9:17; cp. Lk 5:36. No one is to consider me foolish; but if you do, treat me as you would a fool (i.e. let me enjoy some of the prerogatives) 2 Cor 11:16.

γ. καί γε (without a word between [older Gk. sometimes inserts a word between καί and γε: e.g., Pla., Phd. 58d, Pol. 7, 531a]: Hippocr., Septim. 9 vol. VII 450; Cornutus 9 p. 40, 12; Περὶ ὕψους 13, 2; Apsines Rhetor [III A.D.] p. 332, 17 Hammer; LXX; TestReub 4:4 al.) limiting: at least Lk 19:42 v.l. Intensive: even (Jos., Ant. 20, 19) Ac 2:18 (Jo 3:2 v.l.). καί γε οὐ μακράν though he is really not far 17:27. Cp. Hm 8:5; 9:9.—Kühner-G. II 176b; B-D-F §439, 2; Rdm. 35f, 37; Rob. 1129. S. also καί 2iβ.

δ. καίτοι γε and yet; though, of course (Epict. 3, 24, 90) J 4:2; Dg 8:3.—Kühner-G. II 151–52; B-D-F §439, 1; 450, 3; Rob. 1129. S. also καί 2iδ.

ε. μενοῦνγε in NT somet. at the beginning of its clause, contrary to older usage (Phryn. 342 Lob.), stating a correction rather Lk 11:28 v.l.; Ro 9:20; 10:18; Phil 3:8.—B-D-F §450, 4; Hdb. on Ro 9:20. S. also μενοῦν.

ζ. μήτι γε not to mention, let alone 1 Cor 6:3 (also Pla., Ep. 4, 321a; Demosth. 21, 148; Strabo 1, 1, 13; other exx. in Wettstein; PLond I, 42, 23 p. 30 [II B.C.]; B-D-F §427, 3). S. also μήτι.

η. γέ τοι indeed, only in the stereotyped transition formula πέρας γέ τοι and furthermore B 5:8; 10:2; 12:6; 15:6, 8; 16:3 (s. πέρας 3 and τοί).

θ. ὄφελόν γε would that indeed 1 Cor 4:8.—S. also γοῦν.—DELG. M-M.