λαμά
lamá
G2982 Hebrew loanword
SILEX Entry
Definition
An interrogative adverb meaning 'why?' — used to inquire about purpose, reason, or cause. In context, it introduces a direct question asking for the grounds or motive behind an action or event. In Greek texts, λαμά exclusively functions as a citation of Semitic speech, directly representing the Aramaic or Hebrew interrogative for 'why?'.
Semantic Range
why?, for what reason?, on account of what?, for what purpose?
Root / Etymology
Borrowed directly from Semitic (Aramaic/Hebrew) לָמָה (lamah) or similar form. The prepositional prefix ל- (to, for) + מָה (what), together meaning 'why?' Etymology is foreign to native Greek morphology—this is a phonetic loan in the context of speech quotation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
λαμά appears only as a direct transliteration of Semitic speech in the Greek text of the New Testament, specifically as part of the Aramaic/Hebrew quotation uttered by Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34: 'Ἠλί, Ἠλί, λαμὰ σαβαχθανί'), followed by a Greek translation ('My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'). Not a naturally occurring Greek interrogative but a foreign term transferred for accuracy in reporting spoken words. In the Septuagint and wider Greek literature, 'why?' is ordinarily expressed by διὰ τί or ἱνα τί. The inclusion of λαμά in the Greek New Testament reflects a deliberate preservation of the original spoken words, highlighting both the linguistic diversity of the setting and the narrative’s attempt to capture the immediacy of the utterance. English translations typically render λαμά as 'why,' mirroring the function of the Greek gloss. This term should not be understood apart from its Semitic background or as part of ordinary Greek vocabulary.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (מָה with prepositional prefix); lama (i.e. why):--lama.
Root Family
uncertain (bótrys) — proper name, personal name
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1009 | βότρυς | clusters |
| G1050 | Γάϊος | to Gaius |
| G1055 | γαλήνη | calm stillness |
| G108 | Ἄζωτος | Ashdod |
| G1148 | Δαλμανουθά | of Dalmanoutha |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2982-01 |
λεμὰ | lema | TF |
lama | why? | lama | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2982-01 |
Matthew 27:46 | λεμὰ | lema | TF |
lama | why? | why? |
G2982-01 |
Mark 15:34 | λεμὰ | lema | TF |
lama | why? | lama |