לָֽ/מָּה
𐤋/𐤌𐤄
mâh
Why
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 13:24 · 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 | Why |
SIBI-P1 Translation H4100-06
for what?
| Morphological Notes | Interrogative particle מָה with prefixed preposition לְ; no gender or number; functions adverbially. |
| Rendering Rationale | The base interrogative particle מָה means "what?" and seeks specification or explanation. With the prefixed preposition לְ ("to/for"), the compound form literally asks "for what?", preserving both the interrogative force and the prefixed morphology. |
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