כַּ/מָּ֣ה
𐤊/𐤌𐤄
mâh
How many
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').
Job 13:23 · 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 HR/Ti
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | i — Interrogative — Interrogative |
Common Translation
| Phrase | How many |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4100-04
what?
| Morphological Notes | Interrogative particle (HR/Ti); indeclinable; may appear with prefixed prepositions or in exclamatory/relative functions. |
| Rendering Rationale | As a primitive interrogative particle with no recoverable verbal root, מָה fundamentally signals inquiry or specification. "What?" most directly preserves its core interrogative force without imposing contextual nuance such as "how" or "why." |
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