לְ/מַ
𐤋/𐤌
mâh
at the first
An interrogative particle used principally to ask about the nature, identity, quantity, or quality of entities or actions, often translated as 'what?' or 'how?'. Also functions in exclamations and indefinite or relative senses (e.g., 'whatever', 'that which'). The precise meaning is heavily context-dependent, ranging from direct questions ('what is this?'), to expressions of astonishment ('how mighty!'), to indirect questions or statements ('whatever you do').
1 Chronicles 15:13 · Word #2
Lexicon H4100
| Lemma | מָה |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤌𐤄 |
| Transliteration | mâh |
| Strong's | H4100 |
| Definition | An interrogative particle used principally to ask about the nature, identity, quantity, or quality of entities or actions, often translated as 'what?' or 'how?'. Also functions in exclamations and indefinite or relative senses (e.g., 'whatever', 'that which'). The precise meaning is heavily context-dependent, ranging from direct questions ('what is this?'), to expressions of astonishment ('how mighty!'), to indirect questions or statements ('whatever you do'). |
Morphology HR/Ti
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | i — Interrogative — Interrogative |
Common Translation
| Phrase | at the first |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4100-08
for what?
| Morphological Notes | Interrogative pronoun מָה with prefixed preposition לְ (“to/for”); no gender or number marking. |
| Rendering Rationale | The base particle מָה expresses inquiry (“what?”), and the prefixed לְ adds a directional or purposive sense (“to/for”). Together they yield a purpose-oriented question, best rendered concisely as “for what?” preserving the interrogative force. |
View full lexicon entry for H4100 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
at the first
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | Contextually, this form introduces a reference to sequence or timing, not a question; 'for what?' is incorrect. 'At the first' aligns with standard rendering and the referenced meaning in this context. |
| P1 Flag | P1 is incorrect; not an interrogative in context (wrong Strong's sense). |