מַה
𐤌𐤄
mâh
what
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').
Ecclesiastes 10:14 · Word #7
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 HTi
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | i — Interrogative — Interrogative |
Common Translation
| Phrase | what |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4100-09
what?
| Morphological Notes | Interrogative particle; invariant form; no gender, number, or stem distinctions. |
| Rendering Rationale | As a primitive interrogative particle, מַה functions to question the nature, identity, or quality of something. Rendering it as "what?" preserves its core interrogative force without importing contextual nuance. |
View full lexicon entry for H4100 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
what
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | In this context, the interrogative does not need the question mark, and English idiom favors just 'what'. P1 adds a question mark, which is not allowed according to the rules. |