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מֵאָה

𐤌𐤀𐤄

mêʼâh

H3967 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root מא numeral, to count by hundreds, denote a hundred

Definition

A cardinal number denoting the quantity 'one hundred.' Used primarily as a numeral in counting people, objects, measurements, time periods, and monetary values. In some contexts, it forms part of larger numerals (e.g., two hundred), distributive phrases ('hundredfold'), or as an ordinal form ('hundredth').

Semantic Range

the number one hundred, a group or set of one hundred, hundredth (ordinal/adjectival use), hundredfold (multiplicative), used in distributive statements, part of composite numerals (e.g., 'two hundred'), fractional sense (e.g., per hundred)

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Likely derived from a root related to numerals, but no distinct verbal root or morphological derivation in Hebrew; appears as a base numeral. Cognates in other Northwest Semitic languages (e.g., Ugaritic mʾt, Aramaic מאה) suggest a common Semitic numeral for 'hundred.' Often grouped with other numeral terms outside standard triliteral roots. The form מֵאיָה is a variant spelling appearing rarely alongside the dominant מֵאָה.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used throughout the Hebrew Bible from early narrative (Genesis) to late texts. כאשר appears most often in censuses, describing age, military units, measurements (cubits, shekels), and lists of tribute or population. In distributive or comparative usage ('hundredfold'), the term can describe abundant return or multiplication, as in agricultural or financial contexts. The semantic scope remains constant through Israelite history; no significant shift in meaning is observed between First Temple, exilic, or later periods. English translations using 'hundred' or 'hundredfold' reliably reflect the underlying Hebrew. The term is distinct from other numerical markers (עֶשֶׂר 'ten', אֶלֶף 'thousand') and not used as a general quantifier outside numerical statements. The Greek Septuagint generally translates as ἑκατόν (hekaton), with similar function. Later rabbinic tradition maintains its use as a standard numeral but expands into discussions of tithes or calculations in ritual law.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or מֵאיָה; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction; hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מא (m-ʾ) — numeral, hundred, counting by hundreds

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3964 מָא in what?
H3969 מְאָה one hundred
H4591 מָעַט hundreds
H4592 מְעַט and hundred-of

Word Forms

18 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3967-13 מֵאֹ֖ת meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds 305
H3967-11 מֵאָ֥ה meah HAcbsa a hundred one hundred 100
H3967-10 מָאתַ֣יִם matayim HAcbda two hundred two hundred 46
H3967-15 וּ/מֵאָ֥ה umeah HC/Acbsa and a hundred and one hundred 34
H3967-14 וּ/מָאתַ֣יִם umatayim HC/Acbda and two hundred and two hundred 28
H3967-04 הַ/מֵּאוֹת֙ hameot HTd/Acbpa of hundreds the hundreds 16
H3967-16 וּ/מְאַת֙ umeat HC/Acbsc and a hundred and a hundred of 16
H3967-12 מְאַ֣ת meat HAcfsc a hundred hundred of 13
H3967-18 וְ/הַ/מֵּא֑וֹת vehameot HC/Td/Acbpa and the hundreds and the hundreds 6
H3967-01 בְּ/מֵאָ֖ה bemeah HR/Acbsa for a hundred in one hundred 5

Occurrences in Scripture

583 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3967-16 Genesis 5:3 וּ/מְאַת֙ umeat HC/Acbsc and a hundred and a hundred of
H3967-13 Genesis 5:4 מֵאֹ֖ת meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds
H3967-13 Genesis 5:5 מֵאוֹת֙ meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds
H3967-16 Genesis 5:6 וּ/מְאַ֣ת umeat HC/Acbsc and a hundred and a hundred of
H3967-13 Genesis 5:7 מֵא֖וֹת meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds
H3967-13 Genesis 5:8 מֵא֖וֹת meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds
H3967-13 Genesis 5:10 מֵא֖וֹת meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds
H3967-13 Genesis 5:11 מֵא֖וֹת meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds
H3967-13 Genesis 5:13 מֵא֖וֹת meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds
H3967-13 Genesis 5:14 מֵא֖וֹת meot HAcbpa hundred hundreds
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