A method for processing a query includes providing an inverted multi-path index for storing path-value pairs. Each path-value pair references at least one structured document stored in a database system, and comprises an index path expression of an indexed element and an indexed value associated with the indexed element. The method includes receiving a clause including a path expression-value pair comprising a path expression associated with an element, determining that the clause can be processed by the inverted multi-path index, processing the clause to identify a path-value pair in the inverted multi-path index matching the path expression-value pair of the clause, and identifying the structured document referenced by the matching path-value pair.