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מָה

𐤌𐤄

mâh

H4101 pronoun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Interrogative pronoun and adverb used primarily to inquire about the identity, nature, extent, quantity, cause, or manner of a thing or situation; also used in exclamatory sentences to express surprise, emphasis, or intensity (often translated 'what!', 'how!', 'how much!'). In some occurrences, it functions as an indefinite pronoun ('whatever', 'anything') or relative marker ('that which').

Semantic Range

what?, how?, why?, for what reason?, how great?, that which, whatever, anything, exclamation of surprise or emphasis, interrogative pronoun or adverb, exclamatory particle

Root / Etymology

Root/etymology uncertain; likely related to the Proto-Semitic interrogative *ma-, functioning as a base form for queries about entities, attributes, or circumstances. The form is ancient and attested widely in Semitic languages. In Biblical Hebrew, מָה functions both as an interrogative and exclamatory particle, also appearing in variations such as מַה and incorporating into compound forms (e.g., לָמָה 'why').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מָה is most frequently found as the primary interrogative pronoun for questions demanding clarification or identification (Genesis 3:13: 'מָה זֹּאת עָשִׂית?''—'What is this you have done?'). It may serve independently ('What?') or in combination with prepositions or particles (e.g., עַל־מָה 'for what reason?'; לָמָּה 'why?'). Exclamatory use reflects astonishment or emphasis rather than a true question (e.g., Psalm 8:5: 'מָה אֱנוֹשׁ...'—'What is humanity...!'). Less commonly, מָה appears as an indefinite marker, especially in poetic texts, meaning 'whatever' or 'anything.' The corresponding Aramaic form is often spelled identically in the biblical text but should be distinguished by context. Though later translations sometimes render מָה with broader philosophical or theological implications (especially in exclamatory or poetic passages), its fundamental function is as an interrogative or emphatic exclamatory particle. Mָה is distinct from related terms such as מִי ('who') which seeks a person, and אֵי/אַיֵּה ('where'), which seeks a place. Its usage remains stable from the earliest narrative strata (patriarchal period) through later poetic and prophetic texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to מָה; {properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what}; how great (mighty), that which, what(-soever), why.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

מ־ה (mâh) — to question, to interrogate, to inquire

Root מ־ה to question, to interrogate, to inquire

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4101-03 מָ֥ה mah ATi what what? what 7
H4101-01 כְּ/מָ֣ה kemah AR/Pfxcs how like what? how 2
H4101-02 לְ/מָה֙ lemah AR/Ti why for what? lest 2
H4101-04 וּ/מָ֣ה umah AC/Pfxcs and-what and what? and what 2

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4101-03 Daniel 2:15 מָ֥ה mah ATi is what? what?
H4101-03 Daniel 2:22 מָ֣ה mah APfxbs what what? what
H4101-03 Daniel 2:28 מָ֛ה mah APfxbs what what? what
H4101-03 Daniel 2:29 מָ֛ה mah APfxbs what what? what
H4101-03 Daniel 2:29 מָה mah-2 APfxbs what what? what
H4101-03 Daniel 2:45 מָ֛ה mah APfxbs what what? what
H4101-01 Daniel 3:33 כְּ/מָ֣ה kemah AR/Pfxcs how like what? how
H4101-01 Daniel 3:33 כְּ/מָ֣ה kemah-2 AR/Pfxcs how like what? how
H4101-03 Daniel 4:32 מָ֥ה mah APixbs what what? what
H4101-02 Ezra 4:22 לְ/מָה֙ lemah AR/Ti why for what? why
H4101-04 Ezra 6:9 וּ/מָ֣ה umah AC/Pfxcs and-what and what? and what
H4101-04 Ezra 7:18 וּ/מָ֣ה umah AC/Pfxcs and-whatever and what? and whatever
H4101-02 Ezra 7:23 לְ/מָ֤ה lemah AR/Pixcs why for what? lest
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