בְּ/מֶ֖ה
𐤁/𐤌𐤄
mâh
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 3:22 · Word #16
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 HR/Ti
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | i — Interrogative — Interrogative |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4100-03
in what?
| Morphological Notes | Preposition בְּ + interrogative particle מָה/מֶה; inseparable prefix attached to primitive interrogative. |
| Rendering Rationale | The form combines the preposition בְּ (in, with, by) with the interrogative particle מֶה, yielding a prepositionally governed inquiry. "In what?" preserves both the interrogative force and the prefixed preposition without importing context. |
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