מַה
𐤌𐤄
mâh
Hear
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').
Psalms 30:10 · Word #1
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 | Hear |
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 profit
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | In Psalm 30:10, 'מַה' with 'בֶּצַע' forms the phrase 'what profit,' meaning 'what advantage'; this contextual rendering is justified over 'what?' alone since 'ill-gotten gain' does not fit the context of questioning profit in death. |