Lexical Summary mah: what, how, whatever Original Word: מָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance how great mighty, that which, whatsoever, why (Aramaic) corresponding to mah -- how great (mighty), that which, what(-soever), why. see HEBREW mah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to mah Definition what? NASB Translation how (2), reason* (1), what (7), what* (1), whatever (2), why (1). Topical Lexicon OverviewThe Hebrew interrogative particle מָה is the primary Old Testament vehicle for asking “what,” “why,” or “how.” Though functionally small, it carries great theological weight by opening space for inquiry, revelation, worship, and obedience. In the thirteen occurrences catalogued under Strong 4101, all appear in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Daniel, where divine purpose, imperial authority, and covenant faithfulness collide. Occurrences in Ezra: “Whatever the God of Heaven Requires” 1. Ezra 4:22 presents imperial officials charged to avert rebellion: “See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase, to the detriment of the royal interests?” Here מָה frames a warning that political negligence can jeopardize the king’s welfare. Occurrences in Daniel: “What Will Happen in the Latter Days” 1. Dialogue with Arioch (Daniel 2:15): Daniel asks, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” A question sparks intercession and eventual deliverance. Theology of Holy Questioning Scripture never portrays honest questioning as unbelief when it drives the seeker toward God’s character and will. Daniel’s “why” moves him to prayerful dependence, while Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogant “what” is silenced by judgment. Thus מָה serves both the pedagogy of faith and the correction of pride. In Ezra, “whatever” reminds the returned exiles—and modern believers—that worship demands unreserved surrender. Historical Insight All thirteen uses fall within the Persian period, a time when God’s people lived under foreign rule yet experienced prophetic insight and temple restoration. The frequent interrogatives reflect an era of uncertainty: What is God doing among pagan powers? Why are His people still oppressed? Through מָה God reveals that He directs kings (Ezra) and unveils empires’ futures (Daniel), assuring Israel of His unbroken covenant. Ministry Applications • Encourage seekers to bring every “why” or “what” to the Lord, confident that He “reveals the deep and hidden things” (Daniel 2:22). Christological Reflection The New Testament answers the Old Testament’s שאלת־מָה (“what-question”) in the person of Jesus Christ. What will God do about sin? “God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice” (Romans 3:25). What will happen in the latter days? “This same Jesus…will return” (Acts 1:11). The pattern established in Daniel—God revealing “what will happen”—finds its climax in the Revelation given to John, where heavenly worship echoes Daniel 4:3, magnifying the Lamb whose kingdom “endures from generation to generation.” Summary Strong 4101 מָה, while grammatically an interrogative, is spiritually an invitation: ask, and God will disclose; submit, and God will supply; worship, and God will be exalted. Its strategic placement in Ezra and Daniel assures believers that amid political flux and personal trial, the God of heaven still answers every faithful “what” and “why” with revelation, provision, and steadfast dominion. Forms and Transliterations וּמָ֣ה ומה כְּמָ֣ה כמה לְמָ֤ה לְמָה֙ למה מָ֛ה מָ֣ה מָ֥ה מָה־ מה מה־ kə·māh keMah kəmāh lə·māh leMah ləmāh mah māh māh- ū·māh uMah ūmāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:22 HEB: עַל־ דְּנָ֑ה לְמָה֙ יִשְׂגֵּ֣א חֲבָלָ֔א NAS: out this [matter]; why should damage KJV: not to do this: why should damage grow INT: out this why increase damage Ezra 6:9 Ezra 7:18 Ezra 7:23 Daniel 2:15 Daniel 2:22 Daniel 2:28 Daniel 2:29 Daniel 2:29 Daniel 2:45 Daniel 4:3 Daniel 4:3 Daniel 4:35 13 Occurrences |
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