מַה
𐤌𐤄
mah
What
or מַה; or מָ; or מַ; also מֶה; a primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses; how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.
H4100
Proverbs 31:2 · Word #1
Lexicon H4100
| Lemma | מָה |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤌𐤄 |
| Transliteration | mâh |
| Strong's | H4100 |
| In-context | What |
Morphology HTi
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | T — Particle — Function word |
| Subtype | i — Interrogative — Interrogative |
SIBI-P1 H4100-09
what?
| Root | מה (m-h) |
| Core Meanings | interrogation, inquiry, specification, indefiniteness |
| Semantic Range | what, how, why, for what reason, how much, whatever, that which, an exclamation of surprise (what!) |
| Conceptual Significance | מָה gives voice to human questioning—whether seeking information, expressing lament, or marveling in awe. It frequently introduces theological reflection, especially in questions directed toward יהוה, highlighting human limitation, dependence, and wonder before the divine. |
| Morphological Notes | Hebrew interrogative particle (HTi); indeclinable; no gender, number, or person distinctions; often combines with prepositions or maqqef to form adverbial or conjunctive expressions. |
| Rendering Rationale | מָה is an indeclinable interrogative particle from the root מה, expressing inquiry or specification. Since it carries no gender, number, or person marking (HTi: Hebrew interrogative particle), the faithful rendering simply preserves its direct interrogative force as "what?" while allowing contextual expansion (how? why?) where required. |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Words from Root מה (interrogation, inquiry, specification, indefiniteness)
| SILEX Code | Transliteration | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
H4100-01 |
bamah | with what? |
H4100-02 |
bameh | in what? |
H4100-03 |
bemeh | in what? |
H4100-04 |
kamah | what? |
H4100-05 |
kameh | as-what-amount? |
H4101-01 |
kemah | as-what? |
H4100-06 |
lamah | for-what? |
H4100-07 |
lameh | for what? |
H4100-08 |
lema | for-what? |
H4101-02 |
lemah | for what? |
H4478-01 |
man | What-thing |
H4100-10 |
meh | what? |
|
mhm | what are they? |
|
mlkhm | What is it to you (men)? |
H4100-11 |
my | what? |
H4100-12 |
shalamah | for-what? |
H4479-01 |
uleman | and to whom? |
H4100-13 |
umah | and what? |
H4479-02 |
uman | and who? |
H4100-14 |
umeh | and what? |
H4100-15 |
uvamah | and in-what? |
H4100-16 |
uvameh | and in what? |
H4100-17 |
vameh | in what? |
H4100-18 |
vekhamah | and how much? |
H4100-19 |
velamah | and for-what? |
H4100-20 |
velameh | and to what? |
Word Usage (750 occurrences of H4100)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis 2:19 | מַה | mah | what |
| Genesis 3:13 | מַה | mah | What |
| Genesis 4:6 | לָ֚/מָּה | lamah | Why |