μήν (mēn)
mēn
month
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun mēn simply means "month," referring to the lunar cycle that structured ancient timekeeping. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from historical narratives to apocalyptic visions, often marking specific periods or durations. For instance, Luke uses it to describe the timeline of Elizabeth’s pregnancy and John the Baptist’s conception (Luke 1:24, 26), grounding sacred events in ordinary human chronology.
Its usage extends into the prophetic literature of Revelation, where it measures divine judgments. In Revelation 9:5 and 10, the "month" defines the limited duration of torment, emphasizing that even severe trials have a set end point. This contrasts with the indefinite suffering often feared in ancient mythology, offering a structured sense of time within God’s sovereign plan.
The word also appears in Acts to denote periods of ministry or travel, such as Paul staying in Corinth for a month (Acts 18:11). In Galatians 4:10, Paul references observing "months" alongside days and years, likely alluding to Jewish calendar festivals. This highlights how early Christians navigated their faith within the existing cultural rhythms of lunar months.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word mēn simply means "month," anchoring sacred history in the rhythm of ordinary time. In Luke’s gospel, it marks the six months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy and Mary’s visit, showing that God’s interventions unfold within human seasons rather than outside them. This grounding reminds us that divine timing respects our natural cycles.
In Revelation, the term defines the limits of judgment, such as the five-month torment or forty-two months of tribulation. These specific durations offer comfort by confirming that trials are bounded and temporary. Unlike ancient myths where suffering feels endless, Scripture presents a sovereign plan where even pain has an expiration date set by God.
Paul’s reference to observing months in Galatians highlights how early believers navigated cultural calendars while focusing on Christ. Whether measuring ministry duration or prophetic periods, the word points to a structured universe under divine control. We can trust that our lives, like the calendar, move toward a purposeful end.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- months13×
- month4×
- for months1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μῆνας14×
- μῆνα2×
- μὴν1×
- μηνὶ1×
Key Verses
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Luke 1:26
Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
This verse establishes the timeline for Gabriel’s announcement to Mary by referencing the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.
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Revelation of John 9:5
They were given power, not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a person.
The word sets a strict limit on the scorpion-like torment, showing that divine judgment is measured and finite.
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Acts 18:11
He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Paul’s year-and-a-half stay in Corinth demonstrates how months structured the practical spread of the gospel message.
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Revelation of John 11:2
Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.
The forty-two month period defines the duration of the holy city’s desecration, marking a specific era of testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word mēn mean?
Why does Revelation use months to describe judgment?
How is mēn used in the Gospels?
Every Occurrence (18 verses across 5 books)
Luke 5 verses
After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
Luke 1:26Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
Luke 1:36Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was…
Luke 1:56Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
Luke 4:25But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and…