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מָהַהּ

𐤌𐤄𐤄

mâhahh

H4102 verb

SILEX Entry

Root מהה to hesitate, to delay, to linger, to tarry

Definition

To hesitate or linger, with the primary sense of delaying action or remaining in place due to uncertainty, reluctance, or lack of resolution. The term indicates a state of indecision or purposeful tarrying, often in situations that call for immediate or decisive action. It may also refer to physically delaying one's departure or remaining somewhere longer than necessary.

Semantic Range

to hesitate, to be reluctant, to delay, to linger, to tarry, to stay behind due to indecision or reluctance

Root / Etymology

Root: מהה. The verb is likely derived from the root מהה, which is possibly connected to the interrogative מה (mah, 'what?') but functions independently in usage. The root-level sense is 'to hesitate, to tarry,' and the verb מָהַהּ supplies the nuance of lingering or delaying, rather than questioning. Etymology beyond the immediate root is uncertain, and suggestions of denomination from מה ('what?') are not widely agreed upon in modern lexicography.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb מָהַהּ appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Genesis 19:16, where it describes Lot lingering before leaving Sodom, and in Judges 3:26. Its usage is idiomatic, emphasizing delay or hesitation in situations requiring action. Over time, מָהַהּ remains distinct from other Hebrew verbs of waiting, such as קָוָה (to wait with hope or expectation) or שָׁהָה (to stay, remain passively), in that מָהַהּ often conveys reluctance, uncertainty, or lack of resolve. English translations render the term variously as 'linger,' 'tarry,' or 'delay,' but these may fail to capture the nuance of hesitation arising from uncertainty or unpreparedness. The verb lacks developing theological or ideological content; its meaning is consistent in the contexts where it is attested, typically involving a personal decision to stay or delay departure rather than a prescribed period of waiting or positive anticipation. There is no evidence of the word being used as a technical religious term or of its meaning shifting significantly after the monarchic period.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently a denominative from מָה; properly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant; delay, linger, stay selves, tarry.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מהה (m-h-h) — to hesitate, to delay, to linger, to tarry

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4102-02 הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְתִּי hitemahemaheti HVfp1cs I delayed I kept hesitating 1
H4102-05 לְ/הִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ lehitemahemeha HR/Vfc to tarry to delay oneself 1
H4102-07 וַֽ/יִּתְמַהְמָ֓הּ vayitemahemah HC/Vfw3ms he lingered he kept lingering 1
H4102-04 הִתְמַהְמְה֣וּ hitemahemehu HVfv2mp be-astounded Keep lingering 1
H4102-06 מִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ mitemahemeha HVfrmsa will wait the one lingering on 1
H4102-03 הִֽתְמַהְמְהָ֑/ם hitemahemeham HVfc/Sp3mp they delayed their delaying themselves 1
H4102-01 הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְנוּ hitemahemahenu HVfp1cp delayed we kept lingering 1
H4102-08 וְ/הִֽתְמַהְמְה֖וּ vehitemahemehu HC/Vtv2mp and tarry and hesitate yourselves 1
H4102-09 יִתְמַהְמָהּ֙ yitemahemah HVfi3ms it tarries he keeps lingering 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4102-07 Genesis 19:16 וַֽ/יִּתְמַהְמָ֓הּ vayitemahemah HC/Vfw3ms he lingered he kept lingering
H4102-01 Genesis 43:10 הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְנוּ hitemahemahenu HVfp1cp delayed we kept lingering
H4102-05 Exodus 12:39 לְ/הִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ lehitemahemeha HR/Vfc to tarry to delay oneself
H4102-03 Judges 3:26 הִֽתְמַהְמְהָ֑/ם hitemahemeham HVfc/Sp3mp they delayed their delaying themselves
H4102-08 Judges 19:8 וְ/הִֽתְמַהְמְה֖וּ vehitemahemehu HC/Vtv2mp and tarry and hesitate yourselves
H4102-06 2 Samuel 15:28 מִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ mitemahemeha HVfrmsa will wait the one lingering on
H4102-04 Isaiah 29:9 הִתְמַהְמְה֣וּ hitemahemehu HVfv2mp be-astounded Keep lingering
H4102-09 Habakkuk 2:3 יִתְמַהְמָהּ֙ yitemahemah HVfi3ms it tarries he keeps lingering
H4102-02 Psalms 119:60 הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְתִּי hitemahemaheti HVfp1cs I delayed I kept hesitating
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