וְ/לָ֖/מֶה
𐤅/𐤋/𐤌𐤄
mâh
and why
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 Samuel 1:8 · Word #11
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 HC/R/Ti
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | i — Interrogative — Interrogative |
Common Translation
| Phrase | and why |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4100-20
and for what?
| Morphological Notes | Conjunction וְ + preposition לְ (assimilated as לָ) + interrogative particle מָה; no gender or number. |
| Rendering Rationale | The form combines the conjunction וְ (and) with the preposition לָ (for/to) prefixed to the interrogative particle מֶה, yielding the literal sense "and for what?" which preserves both prefixes and the questioning force of the particle. |
View full lexicon entry for H4100 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
and why
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | Repetition of the interrogative. 'And why' is correct English for this context; P1 'and for what?' is not idiomatic in the question. |