Quick Definition
μήπως Neg.cj. lest in any way, lest perhaps
Strong's Definition
lest somehow
Derivation: from G3361 (μή) and G4458 (-πώς);
KJV Usage: lest (by any means, by some means, haply, perhaps)
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
μήπως [ἃ T, or μή πως L Tr WH], (μή and ras), [fr. Hom. down}; 1. a conjunction, lest in any way, lest perchance ; a. in final sentences, w. an aor. subj., preceded by a pres. 1 Co. ix. 27; preceded by an aor., 2 Co. ii. 7; ix. 4. b. after verbs of fearing, taking heed: w.an aor. subj.,—after βλέπειν, 1 Co. viii. 9; after φοβεῖσθαι, Acts xxvii. 29 R; 2 Co. xi. 3; xii. 20; w. a perf. indic., to indicate that what is feared has actually taken place [W. § 56, 2b. a.; B. 242 (209)], Gal. iv. 11; w. an aor. subj., the idea of fearing being suppressed, Ro. xi. 21 Rec. [B. § 148, 10; ef. W. 474 (442)]. 2. an interrogative particle, whether in any way, whether by any means: in an indirect question, with an indic. present (of a thing still continuing) and aorist (of a thing already done), Gal. ii. 2 (I laid before them the gospel etc., sc. inquiring, whether haply ete.; Paul expects a negative answer, by which he wished his teaching concerning Christ to be approved by the apostles at Jerusalem, yet by no means because he himself had any doubt about its soundness, but that his adversaries might not misuse the authority of those apostles in assailing this teaching, and thereby frustrate his past and present endeavors ; cf. Hofmann ad loc. [B. 353 (303). Others. however, take τρέχω as a subjunctive, and render lest kaply I should be running etc. ; see W.504 sq. (470), ef. Ellicott ad loc.]). w. the indicative (of a thing perhaps already done, but which the writer wishes had not been done) and the aor. subjunctive (of a thing future and uncertain, which he desires God to avert) in one and the same sentence, 1 Th. iii. 5 (where μήπως depends on γνῶναι; ef. Schott, Liinemann, [Ellicott],ad loc.; [B. 353 (304); W. 505 (470)]).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
μήπως or μή πως (so WH), negative particle, as conjc., lest haply: in final sentences, I Co 9:27, II Co 2:7 9:4; after verbs of fearing or taking heed, I Co 8:9, II Co 11:3 12:20, Ga 4:11; with an ellipse of ptcp. (sc. φοβούμενος; cf. Bl., § 65, 3; Burton, § 225), I Th 3:5 (but v. infr.).
As interrogative, whether haply: Ga 2:2, I Th 3:5 (cf. M, Th., in l., but v. supr.).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
μήπως in the sense of “lest perchance” may be illustrated from the interesting letter of a son to his father, expressing anxiety regarding his safety, P Oxy XIV. 16808 (iii/iv A.D.) καὶ yap mpd τούτου σοι ἐδήλωσα λυπούμενος ἐπὶ TH ἐν ἡμῖν σου ἀπουσίᾳ, μήπως ὃ μὴ εἴοι (/. εἴη) σοι γένοιτο καὶ μὴ εὕρωμέν σου τὸ σῶμα, “1 have indeed told you before of my grief at your absence from among us, and my fear that something dreadful might happen to you and that we may not find your body ” (Edd.). For a similar meaning with the ind. see P Flor II. 194!4 (A.D. 259) ὅρα δὲ μήπως οὐκ ἔστιν xpia Acovtay μαθῖν [rept τούτου. In MGr independent μήπως is used in questions expressing doubt or denial, e.g. μήπως σοῦ elma; “have I perhaps told you?” i.e. “1 have not, of course, told you” (Thumb, Handbook, p- 181: see also Proéeg. p. 248).
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
μήπως (mēpōs) — so that. μήπω or μή πω,
I. as adverb not yet, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἀλλὰ μήπω τοῦτο (i.e. σκοπεῖτε) [Refs 8th c.BC+]; μήπω γε nay, not yet, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
II. as conjunction, lest yet, κελόμην ἐπιβαινέμεν.., μή πώ τις.. λάθηται [Refs 8th c.BC+]