Strong's Hebrew: 3964. מָא (ma) -- What, how, why

◄ 3964. ma ►

Strong's Lexicon

ma: What, how, why

Original Word: מָא
Part of Speech: pronoun interrogative; indefinite
Transliteration: ma'
Pronunciation: mah
Phonetic Spelling: (maw)
Definition: What, how, why
Meaning: that

Word Origin: A primitive particle

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G5101 (τί): An interrogative pronoun in Greek, often translated as "what" or "which."

Usage: The Hebrew word "ma" is an interrogative pronoun used to ask questions about identity, nature, or reason. It is often translated as "what," "how," or "why" in English. This word is used to inquire about the specifics of a situation, object, or action, seeking to understand more about the subject in question.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, asking questions was a fundamental part of learning and understanding the world. The use of interrogative pronouns like "ma" reflects a culture that valued inquiry and dialogue. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, questions often lead to deeper revelations about God's nature, human identity, and moral responsibilities.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
(Aramaic) the same as mah, q.v.

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מָה (מָא Ezra 6:8) pronoun interrogative and

indefinite what? (Biblical Hebrew מָה; Nabataean מה; Zinjirli מ; ᵑ7 מא; Syriac ; Arabic : compare W^{CG 124 f.}); —

1 what ? Daniel 4:32 מה עבדת.

2 whatever, what (compare Biblical Hebrew 1b end) Daniel 2:22 ידע מח בחשׁוכא knoweth what is in darkness, Ezra 6:9: so מָה דִּי (compare דִּי 1b: so Nabataean; Palmyrene מא די, מדי, Lzb³⁰⁶ Cooke^{320, 332}) Daniel 2:28,29 (twice in verse); Daniel 2:45; Ezra 6:8 למא די תעבדון with regard to what ye shall do, Ezra 7:18 (= whatsoever).

3 with prefixes:

a. כְּמָה how! Daniel 3:33 (twice in verse).

b. לְמָה why? (compare Biblical Hebrew לָמָּה) Ezra 4:22 be not slack herein: why should damage grow, etc., virtually = lest damage grow (ᵐ5 μή ποτε), Ezra 7:23 די למה להוא קצף for why should there be wrath ? = lest [ᵐ5 μή ποτε] there be wrath (compare ᵑ7 דִּילְמָא, Syriac lest: and see מָה