Proverbs 9:13

אֵ֣שֶׁת

Root word wife, woman, wives, women, one, …

Dictionary form: אִשָּׁה · ish-SHAW

Noun — Common, feminine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: woman

wife ×73 woman ×55 his wife ×53 the woman ×44 wives ×40 to wife ×35 a woman ×29 the women ×28

More options

woman — Broadest rendering; prefer when no marital relationship implied.

wife — Use when a specific marital bond is in view.

female — Emphasizes sex/gender contrast; good in legal or biological contexts.

women — Plural contexts; collective or group references.

each one — Distributive idiom; use in 'each woman/one' constructions.

bride — Nuanced option for betrothal or covenant-entry passages.

BDB612 H802

אִשָּׁה₇₇₅ noun feminine woman, wife, female (Arabic , Sabean אנתֿת etc. DHM^{ZK 1884, 360}, Aramaic אִתְּתָא, אִנְתְּתָא, אִתָּא, , Palmyrene, Nabataean אנתתא, Ethiopic Phoenician אשת, Assyrian aššatu COT^Gloss) — ׳א absolute Gen 2:33 +; construct אֵשֶׁת Gen 11:29 + (apparently absolute Deut 21:11; 1Sam 28:7; Ps 58:9 but compare Bö^{§ 728} Ges^{«GKC:130»§ 130}. 5); suffix אִשְׁתִּי Gen 20:11 +; אִשְׁתְּךָ Gen 12:18 + (אֶשְׁתְּךָ Ps 128:3), etc.; Plural אִשֹּׁת Ezek 23:44 (Co לעשׂות); נָשִׁים Gen 4:19 +; construct נְשֵׁי Gen 4:23 +; suffix נָשַׁי Gen 30:26; 1Kgs 20:7 נְשֵׁיכֶם Exod 22:23 +, etc.; —

1. woman Gen 3:1; Gen 3:2; Gen 12:11 +; opposed to man Gen 2:22; Gen 2:23; Exod 35:29; Exod 36:6; Deut 7:2; Deut 7:5; Deut 22:22; 1Sam 21:5 +; ׳א emphatic a genuine (or ideal) woman Eccl 7:28 (|| אדם); simile of men as feeble, timid Jer 50:37; Jer 51:30 note especially הַטַּף בַּנָּשִׁים the children among the women, female children Num 31:18 (P); as conceiving Exod 2:2; Lev 12:2; 2Sam 11:5 +; travailing Jer 13:21 bearing children Judg 13:24; 1Kgs 3:18 compare Job 14:1; Job 15:14; Job 25:4 +, etc.; suckling Isa 49:15 אֹרַח כַּנָּשִׁים Gen 18:11 דֶּרֶח נָשִׁים Gen 31:35 with adjective, or app., מֵינֶקֶת׳א nursing woman, nurse Exod 2:7 זוֺנָה ׳א harlot Josh 2:1; Josh 6:22; Judg 11:1; Judg 16:1; 1Kgs 3:16; Prov 6:26; Jer 3:3; Ezek 16:30; Ezek 23:44 so זָרָה ׳א Prov 2:16; Prov 7:5 compare also Ezek 23:44 above; מְנָאָ֑פֶת ׳א adulteress Prov 30:20 (compare אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ Prov 6:26), אֵשֶׁת זְנוּנִים Hos 1:2 נָשִׁים נָכְרִיּוֺת foreign women 1Kgs 11:1; 1Kgs 11:8; Ezra 10:2; Ezra 10:10; Ezra 10:11; Ezra 10:14; Ezra 10:17; Ezra 10:18; Ezra 10:44; Neh 13:26; Neh 13:27 (compare vNeh 13:23); חֲכָמָה ׳א wise woman, one known as clever, shrewd 2Sam 14:2; 2Sam 20:16, etc.; also פִּילֶגֶשׁ ׳א concubine Judg 19:1; Judg 19:27: אַלְמָנָה ׳א widow 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 11:26; 1Kgs 17:9; 1Kgs 17:10 נְבִיאָה ׳א prophetess Judg 4:4 also construct before noun of quality אֵשֶׁת רָ֑ע Prov 6:24 בְּסִילוּת ׳א Prov 9:13 חֵן ׳א Prov 11:16 חַיִל ׳א Prov 12:4; Prov 31:10; Ruth 3:11 מִדְיָנִים ׳א Prov 21:9; Prov 25:24; Prov 27:15 וָכָ֑עַס ׳מ ׳א Prov 21:19.

2. Wife (woman belonging to a man, usually construct or suffix) Gen 2:24; Gen 2:25; Gen 3:8; Gen 3:17; Gen 4:1; Gen 4:17 + often; of one betrothed (ארשׂ) Deut 20:7; Deut 28:30 בַּעַל (הָ)אִשָּׁה Exod 21:3; Exod 21:22 אִישׁ הָאִשָּׁה Judg 20:4 לְאִשָּׁה to wife Gen 2:22; Gen 12:19; Gen 16:3; Gen 34:21 + often (after לָקַח, נָתַן husband or father subject); for wife (after הָֽיְתָה, woman subject) Gen 20:12; Num 36:3; Num 36:6 (twice in verse); Num 36:11; Num 36:12; Deut 22:19; Deut 22:29 +; for unfaithful wife compare 1; construct in phrase אֵשֶׁת חֵיקֶ֑ךָ Deut 13:7 compare Deut 28:54 נְעוּרֶיךָ ׳א Prov 5:18; Mal 2:14; Mal 2:15 בְּרִיתֶ֑ךָ ׳א vMal 2:14 אֵשֶׁת אָב = step-mother Lev 18:8; Lev 18:11; Lev 20:11.

3. Female of animals Gen 7:2 (twice in verse); see also below

4.

4. With distributive & reciprocal sense, מֵאֵת ׳א רְעוּתָהּ each woman from her neighbour Exod 11:2 (E); compare Ruth 1:8; Ruth 1:9; Jer 9:19 each one, of birds of prey Isa 34:15 compare vIsa 34:16 (strike out Bi Che); of cows (figurative of heartless women of Israel) Amos 4:3 of sheep (figurative of Israel) Zech 11:9 & of inanimate things (P, & late) אֶל אֲחֹתָהּ ׳א Exod 26:3 (twice in verse); Exod 26:5; Exod 26:6; Exod 26:17 (P) Ezek 1:9 (strike out Co) vEzek 1:23; Ezek 3:13.

BDB9321 H802

II. אנשׁ (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew III. אנשׁ, אִשָּׁח).

wife, woman, wives, women, one, …

ʾiššâ

a woman

woman, wife, female

woman (opposite of man)

כְּ֭סִילוּת

Root word foolish

Dictionary form: כְּסִילוּת · keh-see-LOOT

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: a foolish

a foolish ×1

More options

foolishness — Most natural noun form; broadly applicable in any context.

folly — Slightly literary; suits poetic or wisdom literature well.

stupidity — Blunt, colloquial; emphasizes lack of sense or judgment.

senselessness — Neutral and precise; highlights absence of reason or wisdom.

ignorance — Use when the fool's lack of knowledge is in view.

BDB4121 H3687

כְּסִילוּת noun feminine stupidity; — Prov 9:13 ׳אֵשֶׁת כ, the woman Stupidity, in antithesis with חָכְמוֺת the Supreme Wisdom personified as a woman.

foolish

kĕsîlût

silliness

foolishness, stupidity

הֹֽמִיָּ֑ה

Root word noise, roar, disquieted, sound, troubled, …

Dictionary form: הָמָה · haw-MAW

Verb — Qal, Participle Active, feminine singular, absolute state simple action — "he did" ongoing action — try "___ing" or "one who ___s"

In the KJV here: is clamorous

shall sound ×3 art thou disquieted ×2 thereof roar ×2 a tumultuous ×1 and cry aloud ×1 and let them make a noise ×1 and make a noise ×1 and was troubled ×1

More options

roar — Best for natural forces — sea, wind, crowd.

rage — Suits violent, angry commotion of nations or enemies.

tumult — Noun sense; loud, chaotic uproar in public settings.

rumble — Softer, rolling noise; good for distant or building sound.

clamor — Human voices specifically; noisy, insistent shouting.

be in an uproar — Emphasizes collective disorder; vivid in narrative contexts.

BDB2189 H1993

[הָמָה] verb murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous ( ᵑ7 הֲמָא, but rare, and perhaps not genuine Aramaic; compare Arabic murmur); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine plural הָמוּ Ps 46:7 + 2t.; וְהָמוּ consecutive Jer 5:22 + 2 t.; Imperfect יֶהֱמֶה Jer 6:23 + 3 t.; 2 feminine singular תֶּהֱמִי Ps 42:12; Ps 43:5 וַתֶּהֱמִי Ps 42:6 אֶהֱמֶה Ps 55:18 אֶהֱמָ֑יָה Ps 77:4 יֶהֱמוּ Ps 46:4 + 3 t.; וַיֶּהֱמוּ Isa 51:15; Jer 31:35 יֶהֱמָיוּ֑ן Ps 39:7 + 2 t.; 1 plural נֶהֱמֶה Isa 59:11 Infinitive הֲמוֺת Isa 17:12 Participle הֹמֶה Prov 20:1; Jer 4:19 feminine הוֺמָה 1Kgs 1:41, הֹמִיָּה Prov 7:11; Prov 9:13, הוֺמִיָּה Isa 22:2 feminine plural הֹמִיּוֺת Prov 1:21, הֹמוֺת Ezek 7:16 (Co הַמָּוֶת compare ᵐ5 ᵑ6); —

1. growl like a dog כַּכָּ֑לֶב Ps 59:7; Ps 59:15, subject wicked men; groan (in distress, lamentation), like bears כַּדֹּבִים Isa 59:11 (|| כיונה הגה); of doves (also in simile) Ezek 7:16 compare Da (si vera lectio, see above).

2. murmur, figurative of soul (נֶפֶשׁ) in discouragement Ps 42:6; Ps 42:12; Ps 43:5 in prayer Ps 55:18; Ps 77:4 (both || אָשִׂיחָה); also subject מֵעִים of the thrill of deep-felt compassion or sympathy, followed by לְ of person pitied, Jer 31:20 (|| רחם ארחמנו), followed by עַל Song 5:4 further כַּכִּנּוֺר like the lyre (zither) Isa 16:11 כַּחֲלִילִים like flutes, subject לֵב Jer 48:36 (followed by לְ); vJer 48:36 (followed by אֶל); compare Jer 4:19 לִי לִבִּי הֹמֶהֿ.

3. roar, of waves, subject גַּלִּים Jer 5:22; Jer 31:35; Isa 51:15 compare Ps 46:4 simile of roar of multitudes Isa 17:12; Jer 6:23; Jer 50:42 metaphor id., Jer 51:55 be tumultuous, of peoples Ps 46:7 (|| מָטוּ); Ps 83:3 (|| נָָֽשְׂאוּ ראֹשׁ).

4. be in commotion, stir, of city 1Kgs 1:41; Isa 22:2 so participle feminine plural as substantive הֹמִיּוֺת ראֹשׁ Prov 1:21 head of stirring, bustling streets (|| פתחי שׁערים); of man, אַךְהֶֿבֶל יֶהֱמָי֑וּן Ps 39:7 surely to no purpose they bustle about (|| יִתְהָלֶּךְאִֿישׁ אַךְבְּֿצֶלֶם)

5. be boisterous, turbulent, as with wine Zech 9:5 (but read perhaps דָּמָם compare Fi^{Hexapl. ii. 3, 1024} Klo^{ThLZ, 1879, 564} Sta^{ZAW 1881, 18}); also participle as adjective, of שֵׁכָר (by meton.) Prov 20:1 of shameless woman Prov 7:11; Prov 9:13.

noise, roar, disquieted, sound, troubled, …

hāmâ

to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar

(Qal)

to growl

פְּ֝תַיּ֗וּת

Root word simple

Dictionary form: פְּתַיּוּת · peh-ta-YOOT

Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: she is simple

she is simple ×1

More options

naivety — Most natural modern noun; implies innocent lack of experience.

simpleness — Closest modernization of the KJV gloss; slightly formal.

gullibility — Emphasizes susceptibility to deception; stronger negative tone.

foolishness — Use when context stresses moral or practical failing.

open-mindedness — Rare positive spin; only if context warrants a neutral reading.

BDB6860 H6615

פְּתַיּוּת id. Prov 9:13 (Toy conjectures מְפַתָּה).

simple

pĕtayyût

silliness (i.e., seducibility)

simplicity, naivete

וּ בַל

וּ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

בַל

Particle not

Dictionary form: בַּל · bahl

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: and

not ×7 shall not ×5 they shall not ×5 he shall not ×3 nor ×3 i shall not ×2 neither ×2 that they may not ×2

More options

not — General negation; suits most poetic and prose contexts.

never — Stresses absolute or emphatic negation; strong assertion.

nor — Use when continuing a negative clause in a series.

cannot — Highlights inability rather than mere negation.

no — Blunt, forceful denial; works well before a noun or verb.

nothing — Use when בַּל negates an implied object or quantity.

BDB1126 H1077

בַּל₆₉ adverb not (Phoenician id.: e.g. CIS^{i. 165, 15} בל יכן לכהן shall not be for the priest; :3, 3 בל עתי = before my time) a poetic synonym of לֹא, of comparatively rare occurrence, Hos 7:2; Hos 9:16 (Qr) Isa 14:21; Isa 35:9; Isa 43:17; Prov 9:13; Prov 14:7; Prov 19:23; Prov 22:29; Prov 23:7; Prov 23:35 (twice in verse); Prov 24:23; 1Chr 16:30 ( = Ps 96:10), only besides, except in the passages cited, in other Psalms: often repeated in the same context, as Isa 26:10 (twice in verse); Isa 26:11; Isa 26:14 (twice in verse); Isa 26:18 (twice in verse); Isa 33:20 (twice in verse); Isa 33:21; Isa 33:23 (twice in verse); Isa 33:24; Isa 44:8; Isa 44:9 (3 t. in verse); Ps 10:4; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:15; Ps 10:18; Ps 16:2; Ps 16:4 (twice in verse); Ps 16:8; Ps 17:3 (twice in verse); Ps 17:5; Ps 21:3; Ps 21:8; Ps 21:12 also used often with אֶמּוֺט, יִמּוֺט, תִּמּוֺט Ps 10:6; Ps 16:8; Ps 21:8; Ps 30:7; Ps 46:6; Ps 93:1; Ps 96:10; Ps 104:5; Prov 10:30; Prov 12:3; Job 41:15. In Isa 40:24 it is probably that it acquires from the context the sense of hardly: yea, hardly are they planted, yea, hardly are they sown ..., when he even bloweth upon them, and they wither; compare לֹא 2Kgs 20:4. Joined anomalously with an infin., Ps 32:9 בַּל קְרוֺב אֵלֶיךָ (else) there is not coming nigh thee (i.e. else they will not approach thee).

not, nor, neither, no, cannot, …

bal

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

not, hardly, else

יָ֥דְעָה

Root word know, known, knew, knowest, knoweth, …

Dictionary form: יָדַע · yaw-DA

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person feminine singular simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "she (or it)"

In the KJV here: knoweth

know ×83 i know ×46 knoweth ×40 knowest ×36 knew ×34 known ×28 and ye shall know ×26 and they shall know ×21

More options

know — Direct, neutral default; suits most contexts.

understand — Emphasizes comprehension or insight gained.

recognize — Good for identifying or acknowledging something/someone.

perceive — Highlights experiential or sensory knowing.

be aware of — Stresses conscious knowledge; useful in warnings.

acknowledge — Best when relational or confessional nuance is present.

BDB3454 H3045

יָדַע₉₄₃ verb know (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic יְדַע ; Phoenician ידע; Ethiopic II. I. indicate, announce, narrate; Assyrian idû, know, COT^Gloss; Sabean ידע, especially in compound proper name DHM^{ZMG 1875, 612}) —

Qal Perfect יָדַע Gen 4:1 +; יָדָ֑ע Lev 5:1 +; suffix יְדָעוֺ Deut 34:10; Job 28:7 יְדָעָהּ Gen 24:16; 1Kgs 1:4 יְדָעָ֫נוּ Isa 63:16 3 feminine singular יָָֽדְעָה Judg 11:39 + 4 t.; 2 masculine singular יָדַעְתָּ Gen 30:26 +; יָדַ֫עְתָּה 2Sam 2:26 יָדַ֫עַתְּ Ruth 2:11; 1Kgs 2:15 יָדָ֑עַתְּ Jer 50:24 וְיָדַ֫עַתְּ consecutive Ruth 3:4 + 6 t. (including Ezek 22:16, Co וִידַעְתֶּם, so ᵐ5 ᵑ7) + Ezek 28:22 Co (for וְיָדְעוּ), so ᵐ5; יָדַ֫עְתִּי Gen 4:9 +; suffix יְדַעְתִּ֫יךָ Exod 33:12 + 2 t.; יְדַעְתִּיו Gen 18:19 יְדַעְתִּים Prov 30:18 יְדַעְתִּין Isa 48:7 יָָֽדְעוּ Gen 19:8 +; יָדָ֑עוּ 2Kgs 4:39 +; יָָֽדְעוּן Deut 8:3; Deut 8:16 (Dr^{§ 6 n}.); 2 masculine plural יְדַעְתֶּם Gen 44:15 +; 2 feminine plural יְדַעְתֶּן Gen 31:6 וִידַעְתֶּן consecutive Ezek 13:21; Ezek 13:23, etc.; Imperfect יֵדַע Isa 7:16 +; יֵדָ֑ע Josh 22:22 + 5 t.; וְיֵדָ֑ע Ps 138:6 (read probably יֵידָ֑ע see Ges^{«GKC:69»§ 69}, 2 R, 3); וַיֵּ֫דַע Gen 4:17 +; suffix יֵדָעֶנּוּ Jer 17:9 וְיֵדָעֵם Hos 14:10 Imperative דַּע Gen 20:7 + 10 t.; דְּעֶה Prov 24:14 דָּ֑ע Eccl 11:19 suffix דָּעֵ֫הוּ Prov 3:6 דְּעִי Jer 2:19 + 4 t.; דְּעוּ Num 32:23 + 15 t.; Infinitive construct דֵּעָה Exod 2:4 דַּ֫עַת Gen 3:22 +; דַּעְתִּי Deut 9:24, etc.; Infinitive absolute יָדוֺעַ Gen 43:7; Josh 23:13 יַדֹעַ Gen 15:3 + 11 t.; Participle active יֹדֵעַ Gen 3:5 +; feminine יֹדַ֫עַת Num 31:17 + 2 t.; יֹדְעִים 2Kgs 17:26 +; passive וִידוּעַ construct Isa 53:3 plural וִידֻעִים Deut 1:13; Deut 1:15 —

1. a. know, learn to know, good and evil Gen 3:22 (J), followed by אֶתאֲֿשֶׁר 1Sam 28:9 מִסְפַּר הָעָם 2Sam 24:2 anything מְאוּמָה 1Sam 20:39 לֹא יָדַע אִתּוֺ מְאוּמָה Gen 36:6 (see II. אֵךְ

1. b), so vGen 36:8 כָּלדָּֿבָר 2Sam 15:11, subject God, knowing fowls Ps 50:11 way to wisdom Job 28:23 etc.; of bird of prey נָתִיב לֹא יְדָעוֺ עָ֑יִט Job 28:7 the price of wisdom Job 28:13 something future יום מוֺתִי Gen 27:2 (J); especially followed by clause Gen 12:11 (J) I Know that thou art a woman of fair appearance, Gen 22:12 (E), Eccl 1:17 לֹא ידעתי Gen 28:16 answering question Where ? without other object, Gen 4:9 (both J); followed by accusative + בְּ, in, in the matter of (see בְּ 1 2 b) לֹא יָדַע עַבְדְּךָ בְּכָלֿ זֹאת דָּבָר קָטֹן אוֺ גדוֺל 1Sam 22:15 thy servant knoweth not of all this anything, little or much; followed by בְּ (rare), gain knowledge of, learn of or about, with infinitive הֲתֵדַע בְּשׂוּםאֱֿלוֺהַּ עֲלֵיהֶם Job 37:15 dost thou know about God's enjoining upon them? also with substantive אִישׁ אַליֵֿדַע בַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה Jer 38:24 let not a man know of these words; similarly followed by עַל, only הֲתֵדַע עַלמִֿפְלְשֵׂיעָֿ֑ב Job 37:16 dost thou know concerning the balancings of clouds? (in Job 12:9 בְּ is instrumental, as Gen 15:8; Ps 41:12); followed by מִן, הַמַּחֲבֹאִים רְאוּ וּדְעוּ מִכָּלֿ 1Sam 23:23 observe and get knowledge of all the hiding-places; but followed by object clause + מִן of source, קֶדֶם יָדַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּי Ps 119:152 long ago I gained knowledge out of thy testimonies that etc.; followed by לְ, have knowledge of, יָדַעְתָּ לְאִוַּלְתִּי Ps 69:6 thou knowest my foolishness; especially יהוה וידע כי אני and he shall (thou shalt, etc.) know that I am Yahweh Exod 10:2 (R), Exod 6:7; Exod 14:4; Exod 16:12; Exod 29:46 (all P), Ezek 6:7; Ezek 6:10; Ezek 6:13 + often in Ezekiel; 1Kgs 20:13; 1Kgs 20:28 followed by accusative, which is really subject of following clause, Gen 18:19 (J) I know him that he will, etc. 2Sam 3:25 (Ges^{«GKC:117»§ 117}. 1, R. 6).
b. perceive Gen 19:33; Gen 19:35 (J; object clause infinitive with בְּ); with added idea of observing, taking note of, a place, accusative Ruth 3:4 with בְּ, יָדַעְתָּ בְּצָרוֺת נַפְשִׁי Ps 31:8 (|| רָאָה אֶתֿ).
c. || ראה, imperative דע וראה perceive and see 1Sam 12:17; 1Sam 24:12 find out and discern 1Sam 14:38; 1Sam 23:22 in reverse order, ראו ודעו only 1Sam 23:23 (see a above), Jer 5:1 (see Dr^Sm). — Seealso g below
d. discriminate, distinguish הַאֵדַע בֵּיןטֿוֺב לְרָ֑ע 2Sam 19:36, compare Deut 1:29 (no בֵּין); לֹא יָדְעוּ בֵיןיְֿמִינוֺ לִשְׂמאֹלוֺ Jonah 4:11 they cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left.
e. know by experience, וִידַעְתֶּם בְּכָלֿ לְבַבְכֶם וּבְכָלנַֿפְשְׁכֶם כִּי Josh 23:14 (D) and know in all your hearts, and all your souls, that, etc.; learn to know ׳י Hos 13:14 learn (a bitter lesson) Hos 9:7; Isa 9:8; Ps 14:4 experience ׳י's vengeance Ezek 25:14; Ps 14:4 (absolute); quietness Job 20:20. feminine recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess Jer 3:13; Jer 14:20; Isa 59:12; Ps 51:5.
g. consider דְּעוּ מַהתַּֿעֲשׂוּ Judg 18:14 || ראה, imperative דע וראה, דעו וראו, 2Sam 24:13; 1Kgs 20:7; 1Kgs 20:22 also וְיָדַעְתָּ עִםלִֿבָבֶ֑ךָ כִּי Deut 8:5 and thou shalt consider with (in) thy heart, that, Deut 4:39.
h. לֹא ידע not know = not except Isa 47:11; Ps 35:8.

2. know a person, be acquainted with Gen 29:5 (J), Exod 1:8 (E), Job 42:11, know ׳י Job 24:1 c לֹא, object especially other gods, strange land, etc. = have no knowledge of, or acquaintance with, have not heard of, especially Deuteronomy, Jeremiah: — Deut 11:28; Deut 13:3; Deut 13:7; Deut 13:14; Deut 28:64; Deut 29:25; Deut 32:17 (poem), Jer 7:9; Jer 9:15; Jer 14:18; Jer 16:13; Jer 17:4; Jer 19:4; Jer 22:28; Jer 44:3 participle active acquaintance Job 19:13 passive participle acquainted with אִישׁ מַכְאֹבוֺת וִידוּעַ חֹ֑לִי Isa 53:3 (literally known of sickness, see Thes Ew Che Di Du); well-known (with implied trustworthiness) Deut 1:13; Deut 1:15 ; of beasts knowing owner and master's crib Isa 1:3 (compare Jer 8:7); especially of knowing God ׅ׳לֹא יָדַעְתִּי (י ׳אֶתיֿ Exod 5:2 (J); involving intelligent worship, obedience, etc. Judg 2:10; 1Sam 2:12 (read יֵדַע for ᵑ0 יָדַע Dr), 1Sam 3:7; Hos 2:22; Hos 8:2; Hos 5:4; Ps 79:6 (see also דַּעַת 2 b); of God's Knowing persons etc., throughly Hos 5:3; Job 11:11 knowing the heart 1Kgs 8:39; 2Chr 6:30; Ps 139:4 knowing his true servants, recognising and acknowledgingthem 2Sam 7:20; Nah 1:7; 1Chr 17:18 +; יְדַעְתִּיךָ בְּשֵׁם Exod 33:12 (JE); = take notice of, regardPs 1:6; Ps 31:7; Ps 37:18 so of Israel as chosen people Amos 3:2; Hos 13:5 (Assyrian idûšu, God regardeth him, Hpt^{BAS i, 15}) compare Gen 18:19 (J).

3. know a personcarnally, of sexual intercourse, followed by accusative: man subject Gen 4:1; Gen 4:17; Gen 4:25; Gen 24:16; Gen 38:26 (all J), 1Sam 1:19; Judg 19:25; 1Kgs 1:4 woman subject Gen 19:8 (J), Num 31:17; Num 31:18; Num 31:35 (all P), Judg 11:39 יֹדַעַת מִשְׁכַּב זָכָר Judg 21:11 לֹא יָדְעָה אִישׁ לְמִשְׁכַּב זָכָר vJudg 21:12 man subject and object (of sodomy) Gen 19:5 (J), Judg 19:22.

4. a. know how to do a thing, be able to do it, often with לֹא and followed by infinitive לֹא יָדְעוּ עֲשׂוֺתֿ נְכֹחָה Amos 3:10 they know not how to do right; לֹא יָדַעְתִּי דַבֵּר Jer 1:6; Jer 6:15; 1Kgs 3:7; Isa 56:11 (twice in verse), with לְ Isa 50:4; Eccl 10:15 לֹא יָדַע לְהִזָּהֵר Eccl 4:13 know not how to be admonished (Eccl 4:17 know that); infinitive absolute ידע מָאוֺס בָּרָע וּבָחוֺר בַּטּוֺב Isa 7:15; Isa 7:16.
b. be skilful in,especially participle, followed by accusative יֹדֵעַ צַיִד Gen 25:27 (J) skilled in hunting; ידע סֵפֶר skilled in a book, learnedIsa 29:11; Isa 29:12 (twice in verse); as plural construct יוֺדְעֵי נֶ֑הִי Amos 5:16 knowers of lamentation,professional mourners; יֹדְעֵי הַיָּם 1Kgs 9:27 skilled in the sea, 2Chr 8:18 especially followed by infinitive יֹדֵעַ נַגֵּן 1Sam 16:18 skilled in playing,1Kgs 5:20; 2Chr 2:6; 2Chr 2:7; 2Chr 2:13: יֹדֵעַ מְנַגֵּן בַּכִנּוֺר 1Sam 16:16 knowing, (as) a player on the lyre (see Dr).

5. absolute have knowledge, be wise: לַֹיּדְעִים Eccl 9:11 (|| חֲכָמִים, נְבֹנִים); especially have knowledge of God and duty, or in practical affairs Isa 1:3 (|| בין), Isa 56:10 often with accusative of congnate meaning with verb: דַּעַת Prov 17:27; Prov 30:3 בִּינָה Isa 29:24; Prov 4:1; 2Chr 2:12, compare יוֺדְעֵי בִינָה לָעִתִּים 1Chr 12:33 (Baer), Esth 1:13 also יֹדְעֵי דָּת וָדִין vEsth 1:13 יֹדְעֵי דַעַת וּמְבִינֵי מַדָּע Dan 1:4 object שֶׂכֶל וּבִינָה 2Chr 2:11 (|| בֵּן חָכָם); חָכְמָה וּמוּסָר Prov 1:2 (|| הבין אִמְרֵי בִּינָה); חָכְמָה Prov 24:14; Eccl 8:16. Niph`al Perfect נוֺדַע Gen 41:21 + 10 t.; וְנוֺדַע consecutive 1Sam 6:3 + 2 t.; 3 feminine singular וְנוֺדְעָה Lev 4:14; Isa 66:14, etc.; Imperfect יִוָּדַע Gen 41:31 + 10 t.; יִוָּדֵ֑עַ Prov 10:9 וַיִּוָּדַ֫ע Esth 2:22 3 feminine singular תִּוָּדֵ֑עַ Prov 14:33 2 feminine singular תִּוָּדְעִי Ruth 3:3 וָאִוָּדַע Ezek 20:5 Infinitive suffix הִוָּדְעִי Jer 31:19 Participle נוֺדָע Ps 76:2 + 2 t.; —

1. be made known, beor become known,of things Gen 41:31 (followed by בְּ), Exod 2:14 (both E), Lev 4:14 (P), Judg 16:9; 2Sam 17:19; Nah 3:17; Zech 14:7 (followed by לְ), Ps 77:20; Ps 79:10 (followed by בְּ); Ps 88:13 (followed by בְּ); of hand of ׳י Isa 66:14 (followed by אֶת); with subject clause Exod 21:36; Exod 33:16 (both J E), Deut 21:1; 1Sam 6:3 (followed by לְ), 1Kgs 18:36; Ezek 36:32 (followed by לְ) Ruth 3:14; Eccl 6:10; Esth 2:22 (followed by לְ); of person, Prov 31:23 (followed by בְּ) Isa 61:9 (followed by בְּ and בְּתוֺךְ); of ׳י Ps 76:2 (followed by בְּ); = be revealed, discovered, of person 1Sam 22:6; Jer 28:9; Prov 10:9 of things Neh 4:9; Prov 12:16; Prov 14:33.

2. make oneself known,of person, followed by לְ Ruth 3:3, usually of God (׳י) Exod 6:3 (P; || וָאֵרָא אֶלֿ), Isa 19:21; Ezek 20:5, followed by לְעֵינֵי Ezek 38:23 followed by אֶלֿ Ezek 20:9 followed by בְּ Ezek 35:11; Ps 48:4 without preposition Ps 9:17.

3. be perceived (passive of Qal), of perception by the eye Gen 41:21 (E), Ps 74:5.

4. be instructed (passive of Hiph`il) Jer 31:19, in spiritual sense, through chastisement. Pi`el Perfect 2 masculine singular יִדַּ֫עְתָּ, only ידעתה שַׁחַר מקֹמוֺ Job 38:12 Kt; read with Qr יִדַּעְתָּ הַשַּׁחַר cause to know, followed by 2 accusative; so Ps 104:19 according to Bae, who reads יִדַּע, after Aq Symm. Po. Perfect יוֺדַעְתִּי 1Sam 21:3 I have caused to know, i.e. directed, followed by accusative, but read יוֺעַדְתִּי or יָעַדְתִּי, from יעד, so ᵐ5 We Dr. Pu`al Participle known מידעת Isa 12:5 Kt (Qr מוּדַעַת see Hoph`al); elsewhere as substantive = acquaintance מְיֻדָּעִי Ps 55:14 מְיֻדָּעָיו 2Kgs 10:11 מְיֻדָּעַי Ps 88:9; Job 19:14 (|| קְרוֺבָ֑י), Ps 88:19 (|| אֹהֵב and רֵעַ); מְיֻדָּעָ֑י Ps 31:12, Kt מידע Ruth 2:1 (Qr מוֺדַע q.see below) Hiph`il Perfect הוֺדִיעַ Ps 98:2 הוֺדִיעַ֫נִי Jer 11:18 הוֺדַ֫עְתָּ 1Kgs 1:27 + 2 t.; הוֺדָ֑עְתָּ Job 26:3, etc.; Imperfect יוֺדִיעַ Ps 103:7; Isa 38:19 jussive יֹדַ֫ע Num 16:5 וַיֹּדַע Judg 8:16 יוֺדִיעֶנּוּ Isa 40:13; Isa 40:14 2 masculine singular תּוֺדִיעַ Hab 3:2 תּוֺדִיעֵנִי Ps 16:11; Ps 51:8 1 singular אוֺדִיעַ Ps 89:2; Ezek 39:7 אוֺדִיעָה Prov 1:23; Isa 5:5 יוֺדִיעוּ Job 32:7 יוֺדִעֻם Ezek 44:23 נוֺדִיעָה 1Sam 14:12 Imperative הוֺדַע Prov 9:9 + 3 t. (הוֺדַ֑ע Ps 90:12); suffix הוֺדִיעֵנִי Job 10:2 + 6 t., etc.; Infinitive construct הוֺדִיעַ 2Sam 7:21 + 3 t.; הֹדִיעַ 1Chr 17:19 הוֺדִיעֵנִי 1Sam 28:15, etc.; Participle מוֺדִיְעֲךָ Dan 8:19 מוֺדִיעָם Jer 16:21 מוֺדִיעִים Isa 47:13; 2Chr 23:13 — make known, declare, with accusative of thing Num 16:5 (P), Ezek 39:7; 1Chr 17:19; Job 26:3; Ps 89:2; Ps 98:2; Ps 106:8 object omitted Hab 3:2 teach, with accusative of thing Job 32:7 followed by infinitive Ps 90:12 and (peculiarly) לְהַלֵּל ׳מ 2Chr 23:13 i.e.led in praising; with לְ person Prov 9:9 with accusative of person Isa 40:13; Judg 8:16 (but read וַיָּ֫דָשׁ, see דושׁ); make known, declare, with accusative of thing, + לְ person Exod 18:20; Deut 4:9; Neh 8:12; Neh 9:14; Ps 78:5; Ps 103:7; Ps 145:12; Isa 38:19; Isa 64:1 with clause of thing, + לְ person 1Sam 10:8 make one know, with clause of thing and accusative (suffix) person Exod 33:12; Deut 8:3; 1Sam 6:2; 1Sam 16:3; 1Sam 28:15; Job 10:2; Job 37:19 with accusative of thing + suffix person הוֺדִעֵנִי נָא אֶתֿ דְּרָכֶ֔ךָ וְאֵדָעֲךָ Exod 33:13 (JE) make me, I pray, to know thy ways, that I may know thee; Jer 16:21; Ezek 20:4; Ezek 22:2; Ezek 43:11; Isa 40:14 (|| וַיְלַמְּדֵהוּ דַעַת, also v^a וַיְבִינֵהוּ), Prov 22:21; Job 13:23; Ps 16:11; Ps 25:4 (|| לַמְּדֵנִי), vPs 16:14 (on infinitive with לְ see Ges^{§158; 114, 2, R. 2, Exx},), Ps 39:5; Ps 51:8; Ps 143:8 (|| הַשְׁמִיעֵנִי); חַטָּאתִי אוֺדִיעֲךָ Ps 32:5 (|| עֲוֺנִי לֹאכִֿסִּיתִי); followed by 2 separate accusative Gen 41:39 (E), 1Sam 14:12; Isa 5:5; Ezek 20:1; Ezek 16:2; Prov 1:23; Dan 8:19 accusative of person omitted Exod 18:16 (E); accusative of thing omitted Josh 4:22 = teach one (D), so Isa 40:13; 2Sam 7:21; 1Kgs 1:27 = answer Job 38:2; Job 40:7; Job 42:4 with suffix person, accusative of thing omitted Jer 11:18; Jer 16:21; Prov 22:19 followed by accusative of thing + בְּ Ps 77:15 thou hast made known thy might among the peoples, Isa 12:4; 1Chr 18:8 = Ps 105:1 followed by clause + בְּ person Hos 5:9 followed by בֵּין, teach the difference between, to discriminate between בֵּין הַטָּמֵא לְטָהוֺר Ezek 22:26 + suffix person Ezek 44:23 (compare Qal 1 d); followed by מִן partitive מוֺדִעִים לֶחֳדָשִׁים מֵאֲשֶׁר יָבוֺאוּ Isa 47:13 who declare, at the new moons, of (the things) which are to come. Hoph`al Perfect הוֺדַע Lev 4:23; Lev 4:28 (see Kö^{i, 427}); Participle מוּדַעַת Qr Isa 12:5 (> Kt מְידַֻּעַת); — made known (Participle) Qr Isa 12:5 let this be made known in (בְּ) all the earth (> Kt Punic Participle which is not elsewhere in this sense); followed by אֵלָיו if his sin be made known unto himself Lev 4:23; Lev 4:28 (P). Hitph. Imperfect אֶתְוַדָּ֑ע Num 12:6 (E); sq: אֶלֿ make oneself known to, of ׳י; Infinitive הִתְוַדַּע אֶלֿ Gen 45:1 (E), of Joseph.

BDB9571 H3045 H3046

יְדַע verb know (see Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳י Dan 5:21; Dan 6:11, 2 masculine singular יְדַ֫עָתָּ Dan 5:22, 1s. יִדְעֵת Dan 4:6 Imperfect 2 masculine singular תִּנְדַּע (K^{§ 11, 4. b}) β)) Ezra 4:15 +, etc.; Imu. דַּע masculine singular (K^{§ 11. 3 a})) Dan 6:16 Participle active יָדַע Dan 2:8 +; plural יָָֽדְעִין Dan 5:23, etc.; passive יְדיעַ Dan 4:12 +; — know, with accusative of thing Dan 2:30; Dan 5:22, accusative of thing omitted Ezra 7:25 ׳יָֽדְעֵי דָּתֵי א, vEzra 7:25, יָָֽדְעֵי בִינָה Dan 2:21 with object clause vDan 2:8 vDan 2:9 vDan 2:22; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:14; Dan 4:23; Dan 4:29; Dan 5:21; Dan 6:11; Dan 6:16; Ezra 4:15, so (of God) Dan 4:22 participle active absolute Dan 5:23 having capacity of knowledge; passive in periphrase conjugation, subject clause + ל person Dan 3:18; Ezra 4:12; Ezra 4:13; Ezra 5:8. Haph`el Perfect 3 masculine singular הוֺדַע Dan 2:15 +, suffix הוֺדְעָךְ vDan 2:29, 2 masculine singular suffix הוֺדַעְתַּ֫נִי vDan 2:23, תֶּ֑נָה- vDan 2:23 1 plural הוֺדַ֫עְנָא Ezra 4:14 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יְהוֺדַע Dan 2:25, suffix יְהוֺדְעִנַּ֑נִי Dan 7:16, etc. (see K^{§ 43 c})); Infinitive לְהוֺדָעָה Dan 5:8, suffix לְהוֺדָעֻתַ֫נִי Dan 4:15; Dan 5:16, etc.; Participle active plural מְהוֺדְעִין Dan 4:4 +; — cause to know, inform : ל person Ezra 4:14, + accusative of thing Dan 2:15; Dan 2:17; Dan 2:25; Dan 2:30; Dan 4:4; Dan 5:8; Dan 5:17, so (sf, person) Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:26; Dan 4:3; Dan 4:15; Dan 5:15; Dan 5:16; Dan 7:16, and (subject God) Dan 2:23 ל person + object clause Ezra 4:16; Ezra 7:24, so (of God) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29; Dan 2:45, and (suffix person) V:23; accusative of person only Ezra 5:10; Ezra 7:25.

know, known, knew, knowest, knoweth, …

yādaʿ

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

to know

(Qal)

to know

to know, learn to know

to be made known, be or become known, be revealed

to be known

מָּֽה

Particle turns the sentence into a question

Dictionary form: מָה · maw

Particle — Interrogative

In the KJV here: nothing

what ×268 why ×81 wherefore ×64 how ×44 and what ×35 wherein ×12 and why ×10 him what ×9

More options

what — Default interrogative; fits most direct questions.

why — Use when context implies reason or motive.

how — Use when manner or degree is in view.

for what reason — Formal alternative to 'why'; clarifies rhetorical force.

wherein — Replaces archaic form; for 'in what respect'.

whatever — Use for indefinite or relative pronoun contexts.

BDB4521 H1767 H4078 H4100

מַדַּי (i.e. מַהדַּֿי) 2Chr 30:3, see מה 1 e.

מִדֵּי see דַּי.

מִדְיָן, מְדִינָה see דין.

מִדְיָנִים see I. מדון. מְדֹכָה see דוך.

מַדְמֵן, I, II. מַדְמֵנָה, מַדְמַנָּה see דמן.

מְדָן see דין. מְדָנִים see מדון, מִדְיָנִי.

מַדַּע, מֹדַע, מֹדַ֫עַת see ידע.

[מַדְקָרָה], plural construct מַדְקְרוֺת see דקר.

מַדְרֵגָה see דרג. מְדֻרָה see דור.

[מִדְרָךְ] see דרך. [מִדְרָשׁ] see דרשׁ.

[מְדֻשָׁה] see דושׁ.

BDB4522 H4100 H4078

מָה, rarely מָהֿ (e.g. Gen 31:43; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1), מַהֿ, מַהּ , מֶה, מַּ ( Exod 4:2; Isa 3:15; Mal 1:13; 1Chr 15:13; 2Chr 30:3), מָ (only in מָהֵם Ezek 8:6 Kt., Qr. מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of these forms, see Ges^{«GKC:37»§ 37} —

pronoun interrogative and indefinite what? how? aught; used of things, as מִי of persons (Aramaic , מָא, Arabic ; probably apocope from a longer form with n or nt, Assyrian minû (Dl^{HWB 417 f.}), Ethiopic ment; compare W^{CG 123 ff.} K?:ii. 368): —

1. interrogative what ?
a. in a direct question, before either verbs or nouns Gen 4:10 מֶה עשׂית what hast thou done ? Gen 15:2 מהתֿתןלֿי what wilt thou give me ? Exod 3:13 מַהשְּֿׁמוֺ, Exod 12:26; Exod 13:14 and so very often: מַההִֿיא Zech 5:6 מה אלה Zech 1:9 מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה Jer 1:11; Amos 7:8 +; Jl Amos 4:14 מה אתם לי; Judg 18:8 מה אתם see Commentaries, vJudg 18:24 מה לי עוד what have I still ? Isa 21:11 מהמֿלילה what (= how much) of the night (is past) ? = as what ? (qualem ?) Hag 2:3 (compare מִי Amos 7:2); to express surprise, Job 9:12 who shall say to him, מה תעשׂה what doest thou ? Job 22:13; Eccl 8:4; Isa 45:9; Isa 45:10 followed by כִּי, Gen 20:10 מה ראית כי עשׂית what hadst thou in view, that thou hast done, etc.? Gen 31:36; Exod 16:7 וְנַחְנוּ מָה כִּי and what are we, that . . .? Exod 32:21; Num 22:28; Hab 2:18, etc. Note in particular —
(a) מָה is followed sometimes by a substantive in apposition (against Arabic usage, which does not permit this: W^{AG. ii. § 170}), so that it becomes virtually an adjective: מַהבֶּֿצַע what profit . . .? Gen 37:26; Ps 30:10; Mal 3:14; Isa 40:8 מַהדְּֿמוּת, Mal 1:13; Ps 89:48 זְכָראֲֿנִי מֶה חָ֑לֶד (inverted for חֶלֶד אָ֑נִי מַה) remember (of) what (short) duration I am, Eccl 1:3; Eccl 5:10; Eccl 5:15; Eccl 6:8; Eccl 6:11 (Da^{§ 8, R. 2 K?:iii. 23 f.}); as exclamation, Ps 89:48b Job 26:14. And with the substantive idiomatically at the end (in Arabic preceded then by : W^{AG. ii. § 49. 7}), 1Sam 26:18 ומַהבֿידי רעה and what is there in my hand, evil ? 1Sam 20:10 (see 3), 2Sam 19:29; 2Sam 24:13; 2Sam 1:16; מהמֿצאו אבותיכם בי עָוֶל, Eccl 11:2; Esth 6:3.
(b) מַהזֶּֿה what now ? 1Sam 10:11, contracted מַזֶּה Exod 4:2 (זֶה 4 c); Gen 3:13 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָ; Gen 12:18; Gen 29:25 מַהזּֿאֹת עָשִׂיתָה לִּי; similarly Gen 26:10; Gen 42:28 +, either what, now, hast thou done ? or what is this that thou hast done ? (see זֶה 4 d).
(c) לְּךָ מַהֿ what to thee ? i.e. what aileth thee ? or what dost thou want ? Gen 21:17 מַהלָּֿךְ הָגָר; Josh 15:18; 2Sam 14:5; 1Kgs 1:16; 2Kgs 6:28; Ezek 18:2 (accents); followed by כִּי, Judg 18:23 מהלֿך כי נזעקת, Gen 20:9 (compare 1Sam 11:5 לעם כי יבכו מה), Isa 22:1 מַהלָּֿךְ כִּי עָלִיתְ (compare τί παθὼν, τοῦτο ποιεῖς;), Ps 114:5 without כִּי Isa 3:15 (compare Qor 57:8; 57:10); with a participle, Jonah 1:6 what is it to thee as a sleeper ? (accusative: Da^{§ 70 a} cites Qor 74:50), Ezek 18:2 (if אתם be treated as strengthening לכם).
(d) פֹה (לִי) מַהלְּֿךָ = what hast thou (have I) here ? Judg 18:3; 1Kgs 19:9; Isa 22:16; Isa 52:5.
(e) in the genitive, Jer 8:9 וְחָכְמַתמֶֿה לָהֶם, and wisdom of what (= what kind of wisdom) is theirs ? Num 23:3 (see below 3).
b. often in an indirect question, as after ראה, Gen 2:19 to see מהיֿקראלֿו what he would call it, Gen 37:20 וְנִרְאֶה מהיֿהיו חלֹמֹתיו to what his dreams will come, Num 13:19f.; Hab 2:1 הִכִּיר Gen 31:32 ידע Gen 39:8; Exod 2:4 לדעת מהיֵּֿעָשֶׂה לו, Exod 16:15; Exod 32:1; Job 34:4 שׁמע Num 9:8 ׳וְאשׁמעה מהיֿצוה י (compare Ps 85:9), 2Sam 17:5 פֹּרַשׁ Num 15:34 שׁאל 1Kgs 3:5; 2Kgs 2:9 הֵבִין Job 6:24; Job 23:5: Num 13:18 מה היא וראיתם את הארץ, Ps 39:5; Isa 41:22 הראשׁנות מָה הֵנָּה הַגִּידוּ. — In some such cases it approximates in meaning to the simple rel., as Jer 7:17; Jer 33:24; Mic 6:5; Mic 6:8; Job 34:33.
c. = of what kind ? (German was für ein ... ?), with an insinuation of blame, or reproach, or contempt: Gen 37:10 מה החלום הזה what is this dream which thou hast dreamt? Gen 44:15; Josh 22:16; Judg 8:1; Judg 15:11; Judg 20:12; 1Sam 29:3 מָה הָעִבְרִים האלה, 1Kgs 9:13 מה העדים האלה אשׁר נתתה לי, 2Kgs 9:22; 2Kgs 18:19.
d. מה is often used in questions to which the answer little, or nothing, is expected, and it thus becomes equivalent to a rhetorical negative (compare הֲ b, מִי f c):
(a) Gen 23:15 land worth 400 shekels..., מה היא what is it ? (i.e. it is something quite insignificant), Gen 27:37; Judg 8:3 עשׂות ככם ומהיֿכלתי, Judg 14:18; Hos 9:5; Hos 10:3; Ps 30:10; Ps 56:5; Job 15:9; Job 16:6; Job 21:21; Job 22:13; Job 22:17; Lam 2:13; Song 5:9 מַהאדּוֺדֵךְ מִדּוֺד what is thy beloved (more) than a(nother) beloved ? || לא, 1Kgs 12:16 מַהלָּֿנוּ חֵלֶק בְּדָוֺד וְלֹאנַֿחֲלָה בְּבֶן יִשַׁי (2Sam 20:1 ׳אֵיןלָֿנוּ חֵלֶק וג), Job 16:6.
(b) followed by כִּי (כִּי 1 f), Gen 20:9; Gen 37:26 מַהבֶּֿצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג what profit (is it) that we should slay him ? Exod 16:7; Num 16:11; Hab 2:18; 2Kgs 8:13 what is thy servant, the dog, that he should do, etc.? and often in poetry, as Ps 8:5 מָה אנושׁ כי תזכרנו what is man that thou rememberest him ? Job 6:11 מַהכֹּֿחִי כִּי אֲיַחֵל, vJob 6:11 b Job 7:17; Job 15:12f; Job 15:14; Job 16:3; Job 21:15 + (compare ׳מִ f b). Hence,
(c) in the formula of repudiation, or emphatic denial, (וְלָכֶם) מַהלִּֿי וָלָךְ what is there (common) to me and to thee ? i.e. what have I to do with thee ? Judg 11:12; 2Sam 16:10 מה לי ולכם, 2Sam 19:23; 1Kgs 17:18; 2Kgs 3:13; 2Chr 35:21 compare Josh 22:24; 2Kgs 9:18; 2Kgs 9:19 rather differently, without וְ, Jer 2:18 ׳מה לך לדרך מ what is there to thee with reference to the way to Egypt ? Hos 14:9 מַהאלּוֺ לַעֲצַבִּים, compare Ps 50:16 (לְסַפֵּר); with את, Jer 23:28 מַהלַֿתֶּבֶן אֶתהַֿבָּר beside (or in comparison with) the wheat ? compare τί ἐμοὶ(ἡμῖν)καὶ σοί; Matt 8:29; Mark 5:7; John 2:4 and Arabic
e. = whatsoever (compare מִי g):
(a) Judg 9:48 ראיתם עשׂיתי מהרו עשׂו כמוני מה אתם, literally what do you see (that) I have done ? hasten, and do like me (= whatever ye see, etc.), 2Sam 21:4 אעשׂה לכם מה אתם אמרים, Job 6:24 with the apodosis introduced by וְ, 1Sam 20:4 מה תאמר נפשׁך ואעשׂה לך; Esth 5:3 בַּקָּשָׁתֵךְ ֗֗֗ וְיִנָּתֵן לָךְ מַהֿ, vEsth 5:6; Esth 7:2; Esth 9:12 hence in the late and strange idiom of Chronicles, it sinks twice almost to the rel. what, 1Chr 15:13 כי לְמַבָּרִאשׁוֺנָה לא אתם because ye were not (employed) for what was at first (on the former occasion), J. etc., 2Chr 30:3 לְמַדַּי according to what was sufficient (= in sufficient numbers), compare Esth 9:26.
(b) -מַהשֶּֿׁ (late: frequently in Mishna, etc.), whatever, what (compare מִי אֲשֶׁר, מִי
g. end): Eccl 1:9 מַהשֶּֿׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, literally what is that which hath been ? it is that which shall be (= whatever hath been, it is that which shall be), vEccl 1:9; Eccl 3:15; Eccl 3:22; Eccl 6:10; Eccl 7:24; Eccl 8:7; Eccl 10:14.

2. Used adverbially:
a. as an interrogative:
(a) how ? especially in expressing what is regarded as an impossibility, Gen 44:16 מַהנִּֿצְטַדָּ֑ק how shall we justify ourselves ? Num 23:8 (twice in verse); 1Sam 10:27 מַהיּֿשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה, 2Kgs 4:43; Job 9:2; Job 25:4 (twice in verse); Job 31:1 I made a covenant with my eyes, ׳וּמָה אֶתְבּוֺנֵן עַל ב and how should I look upon a maid ? (ᵐ5 οὐ, ᵑ9 non), Prov 20:24 דַּרְכּוֺ וְאָדָם מַהיָּֿבִין; in an indirect question, Exod 10:26; Ps 39:5 ֵאדְעָה מֶהחָֿדֵל אָ֑נִי; מַהזֶּֿה, how, now ? (in surprise), Gen 27:20 מַהזֶּֿה מִהַרְתָּ לִמְצאֹ בְּנִי, Judg 18:24; 1Kgs 21:5; 2Kgs 1:5.
(b) why ? Exod 14:15 אֵלַי מַה תִּצְעַק, Exod 17:2 (twice in verse); 2Kgs 6:33; 2Kgs 7:3; Ps 42:6 מַהתִּֿשְׁתּוֺחֲחִי עלי, Job 15:12 +; Song 8:4 I adjure you מַהתָּֿעִירוּ וּמַהתְּֿעוֺרֲרוּ, why will ye stir up, etc.? (i.e. do not: || אִם Song 2:7; Song 3:5). — The transition from the interrogative to the negative, to which in Hebrew there is an approximate (see above: especially 1Kgs 12:16; Job 31:1; Song 8:4), is in Arabic complete, being there used constantly in the sense of not (compare Walker^{Hebraica. xii. 244 ff.}; Kö^{iii, 478}).
b. as an exclamation, how ...! with adjectives and verbs, Gen 28:17 מַהנּֿוֺרָא הַמָּקוֺם הַזֶּה how dreadful is this place! Gen 38:29; Num 24:5 מַהטֹּֿבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ, Isa 52:7; Ps 3:2 מה רבו, Ps 8:2 מה אדיר, Ps 21:2; Ps 36:8, etc., Song 4:10 (twice in verse); Song 7:2 ironically, 2Sam 6:20; Jer 2:33; Jer 2:36; Job 26:2; Job 26:3.

3. indefinite pronoun anything, aught, Num 23:3 וּדְבַרמַֿהיַּֿרְאֵנִי וְהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ and he will shew me the matter of aught, and I will tell thee (= if he shew me... I will, etc., Dr^{§ 149}), 1Sam 19:3 וְרָאִיתִי מָה וִהִגַּדְתִּי לָ֑ךְ = and if I see aught, I will, etc., 1Sam 20:10 אוֺ מַהיַּֿעַנִךָ אָבִיךָ קָשָׁה if perchance thy father shall answer thee aught that is harsh (order, 1 a a), 2Sam 18:22 וִיהִימָֿה אָרוּצָהנָּֿא but let there happen what may (literally aught), I will run, v2Sam 18:23 (compare Job 13:13 וְיַעֲבֹר עָלַי מָה), vJob 13:29 וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה (compare Prov 9:13), Prov 25:8. compare Kö^{iii. § 65.}

4. With prepositions:
a. בַּמָּה₉, בַּמֶּה₁₉ wherein ? Exod 22:26; Judg 16:5; 1Sam 14:38 (indirect question; We בְּמִי); and so according to the various senses of בְּ: whereby ? Gen 15:8; Exod 33:16; Mal 1:2; Mal 1:6; Mal 1:7; Mal 2:17; Mal 3:7-8 wherewith ? 1Sam 6:2; 2Sam 21:3; Mic 6:6 by what means ? Judg 16:5 וּבַמֶּה נוּכַל לוֺ; at what (worth) ? Isa 2:22 for what ? 2Chr 7:21 (|| 1Kgs 9:8 עלמֿה).
b. יַעַן מֶה Hag 1:9 because of what ?
c. כַּמָּה, כַּמֶּה, properly the like of what ? (Arabic , Syriac ); hence
(a) how much ? how many ? ׳כַּמָּה יְמֵי וגו Gen 47:8; 2Sam 19:35; Ps 119:84; Job 13:23 עַד כַּמֶּה פְעָמִים 1Kgs 22:16 (= 2Chr 18:15); כַּמָּה how often ? Job 21:17 (i.e. how seldom !); in an indirect question, how much ? Zech 2:6 (twice in verse). As an exclamation, Zech 7:3 as I have done זֶה כַמֶּה שָׁנִים now (זֶה 4 i), how many years ! Ps 78:40 כַּמָּה how often !
(b) for how long ? Ps 35:17 כמה תראה, Job 7:19.
d. לָ֫מָּה, לָמָ֫ה (לָמָ֫ה mostly before the gutturals א, ה, ע and ׳י [i.e. אֲדֹנָי], but twice besides, Ps 42:10; Ps 43:2 לָ֫מָּה also occurs before guttural, in five places noted by Masoretes on Ps 43:2, namely 1Sam 28:15; 2Sam 2:22; 2Sam 14:31; Ps 49:6; Jer 15:18, and before ךְ Gen 4:6; 2Sam 14:13; 2Sam 24:3; Eccl 2:15), לָ֫מָה Job 7:20, לָ֫מֶה 1Sam 1:8 (3 t. in verse), for what reason ? why? Gen 4:6 למה חרה לך why art thou angry ? Gen 24:31, etc.; often strengthened by זֶה (זֶה 4 e), Gen 18:13; Gen 32:30 (= Judg 13:18) למה זה תשׁאל לשׁמי, Judg 33:15; Exod 2:20; Exod 5:22; Exod 17:3, etc., Jer 6:20; Jer 20:18 +; Gen 25:22 זה אנכי אם כן למהֿ if so, why, then, am I ? (why do I continue to live ?); = to what purpose (followed by לִ person), Gen 27:46 למה לי חיים, Isa 1:11; Jer 6:20; Amos 5:18 למה זה ׳לכם יום י, Job 30:2 in an indirect question, 1Sam 6:3; Dan 10:20. Note especially
(a) in expostulations, Gen 12:18 למה לא הגדת לי why didst thou not tell me, etc. ? vGen 12:19; Gen 29:25; Gen 31:27; Gen 42:1; Gen 43:6; 1Sam 21:15; 1Sam 22:13; 1Sam 24:10; Ps 22:2; Ps 44:24; Ps 44:25; Ps 74:1; Ps 74:11 + often;
(b) with an imperfect, often deprecating, or introducing rhetorically, the reason why something should, or should not, be done, why should . . .? 1Sam 19:5; 1Sam 19:17; 1Sam 20:8 but to thy father (emphatic) למה זה תביאני, why shouldst thou bring me ? 1Sam 20:32 מה עשׂה למה יומת why should he be put to death ? 2Sam 13:26; 2Sam 16:9; 2Sam 20:19; 2Kgs 14:10, etc.: in such cases, it approximates in meaning to lest (compare Phoenician CIS^{i. 2, 21} יסגרינם אלנם לָםָ ne tradant eos dii), and is in ᵐ5 often rendered by μήποτε, as Gen 27:45 למה אשׁכל why should I be bereaved, etc. ? Exod 32:12 יאמרו מצרים למה Neh 6:3; Ps 79:10; Ps 115:2; Eccl 7:16, μή, Jer 40:15, ἵνα μή, Gen 47:19; 2Sam 2:22; 2Chr 25:16; Eccl 5:5; Eccl 7:17, or ὅπως μή, Joel 2:17 (in 1Sam 19:17; 2Sam 13:26, paraph. by εἰ μή); and, connected with the foregoing sentence by אשׁר, or שֶׁ, in late, or dialect., Hebrew it actually has that meaning, Dan 1:10 אֲשֶׁר לָמָּה יִרְאֶה lest he see, Song 1:7 שַׁלָּמָ֫ה אֶהְיֶה lest I become (so in Aramaic לְמָה דִּי Ezra 7:23, דִּילְמָא ᵑ7, Syriac , both regularly = lest).
e. עַדמָֿה (Ps 4:3 עַדמֶֿה) until when ? how long ? Num 24:22 (aposiop.), Ps 4:3; Ps 79:5; Ps 89:47 in indirect question, Ps 74:9 (compare עד אנה, עד מתי). feminine עַלמָֿה, and עַלמֶֿה, upon what ? Job 38:6; 2Chr 32:10 upon what ground ? wherefore ? Num 22:32 עַלמָֿה הִכִּיתָ אֶתאֲֿתֹנְךָ, Deut 29:23 (compare 1Kgs 9:8; Jer 22:8), Isa 1:5; Jer 8:14; Jer 9:11; Jer 16:10; Ezek 21:12; Ps 10:13; Job 13:14 (probably dittograph from vJob 13:13); עלמֿהזֿה Neh 2:4. In an indirect question, Job 10:2 הוֺדִיעֻנִי עַל מַהתְּֿרִיבֻנִי, Esth 4:5 לָדַעַת מַהזֶּֿה וְעַלמַֿהוֶּֿה.

BDB8356 H834 H7945 H4100

שֶׁ, also ( Gen 6:3 [? see 4 a], Judg 5:7 (twice in verse); Song 1:7; Job 19:29 [?]) שַּׁ , שָׁ in שָׁאַתָּה Judg 6:17, and שְׁ in שְׁהוּא Eccl 2:22, שְׁהֵם Eccl 3:18 (elsewhere before guttural שֶׁ, as שֶׁאֲנִי Song 1:6; Eccl 2:18, שֶׁאֵין Ps 146:3, שֶׁהֵם Song 6:5; Lam 4:9, שֶׁעַל Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26, שֶׁרּאֹשִׁי Song 5:2), relative particle who, which, that, etc. (constantly in Late Hebrew; Aramaic of Nerab, Ldzb^{371, 445}; Assyrian sha; Phoenician אש (regularly), also sometimes ש (Ldzb^{227 f.}): according to Ges Ew^{§ 181 b} Ol^{p. 439} Sta^{§ 176 e, abbreviated} from אֲשֶׁר; more probably (Sperling [see אֲשֶׁר], Kö^{ii. 323 f.}) an original demonstrative particle), synonym with אֲשֶׁר, but in usage limited to late Hebrew, and passages with north Palestinian colouring, namely Judg 5:7 (twice in verse) [אֲשֶׁר vJudg 5:27], Judg 6:17; Judg 7:12; Judg 8:26; 2Kgs 6:11 (see 4 c), Jonah 1:7; Jonah 1:12; Jonah 4:10 [אֲשֶׁר 11 t.], Ps 122:3; Ps 122:4; Ps 123:2; Ps 124:1; Ps 124:2; Ps 124:6; Ps 129:6; Ps 129:7; Ps 133:2; Ps 133:3; Ps 135:2; Ps 135:8; Ps 135:10; Ps 136:23; Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 144:15; Ps 146:3; Ps 146:5; Lam 2:15; Lam 2:16; Lam 4:9; Lam 5:18; Ezra 8:20; 1Chr 5:20; 1Chr 27:27 Canticles (uniformly, except in title Song 1:1); Ecclesiastes (68 t.; אֲשֶׁא 89 t.); also (dubious) Gen 6:3; Gen 49:10 (שֶׁלֹּה ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7), Job 19:29 and in the proper name (q. v.) מִישָׁאֵל and מְתוּשָׁאֵל. — In usage, שֶּׁ is in the main parallel with אֲשֶׁר, namely

1. as pronoun who, which, whom, Judg 7:12 כַּהוֺל שֶׁעַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם (compare חוֺל c), Ps 122:3; Ps 124:6 etc.; him whom, that which, etc., Song 1:7; Song 3:1; 1Chr 27:27; Eccl 1:11; Eccl 6:3 וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי חַיָּיו and much (verb) is that which his days amount to (Hi De and others), vEccl 6:10 הוּא שֶּׁ that which Eccl 1:9 (twice in verse); in the genitive, אַשְׁרֵי שֶּׁ Ps 137:8; Ps 137:9; Ps 146:5. — On מַהשֶּּֿׁ in Eccl = whatever, what, see מָה 1 e b.

2. as a connecting link; = where (compare אֲשֶׁר p. 81, and 4 b β), מְקוֺם שֶּׁ Eccl 1:7; Eccl 11:3 (compare מְקוֺם אֲשֶׁר Gen 39:20 +: Ges^{«GKC:130c»§ 130c}), whither Ps 122:4 (שֶׁשָּׁם ֗֗֗ ), when Song 8:8; Eccl 12:3 בַּיּוֺם שֶּׁ (compare ib. 4 b a).

3.as a conjunction (compare אֲשֶׁר 8); —
a. that, after רָאָה Eccl 2:13; Eccl 3:18, יָרַע Eccl 1:17; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 9:5; Job 19:19 (?), דִּבֶּר Eccl 2:15, אָמַר Eccl 8:14, עָשָׂה אוֺת Judg 6:17 as subject of sentence, Eccl 3:13; Eccl 5:15 also in the phrases, (a) what is ... that ? Song 5:9 (usually כִּי; see מָךְ 1 d b), מֶה הָיָה שֶּׁ how comes it that ... ? Eccl 7:10
(b) Song 3:4 כִּמְעַט שֶׁעָבַרְתּת מֵהֶם hardly (was it) that (German kaum dass) I had passed, etc., Eccl 7:14 עַל דִּדבְרַת שֶׁלּאֹ יִמְצָא to the intent that ..., Eccl 5:15 כָּלעֻֿמַּת שֶׁבֶּא exactly as ..., Eccl 12:9 תֵר שֶׁ besides that, עַד שֶּׁ (עַד ּ Judg 5:7) until that Ps 123:2; Song 2:7; Song 2:17 + (see III. עַד II 1 a a and b; compare Late Hebrew Yoma Song 5:1), while Song 1:12 (ib. 2 d); עָשָׂהשֶּׁ to make or cause that ..., Eccl 3:14 (compare Ezek 36:27).
b. involving a reason (compare אֲשֶׁר 8 c), because, since, Song 1:6 (twice in verse); Song 5:2; Eccl 2:18 b. Hence שֵׁלָּמָה Song 1:7 since why ? = lest (see מָה 4 d b).

4. compounds:
a. בְּשֶּׁ , i. q. בַּאֲשֶׁר c (p. 84a) in that, seeing that, Eccl 2:16 also (according to ᵑ0 ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Hu De) Gen 6:3 בְּשַׁגַּם הוּא בָשָׂר because that he also is flesh; but see שָׁגַג.
b. כּשֶּׁ , i. q. כַּאֲשֶׁר p. 455: — (a) according as Eccl 5:14; Eccl 12:7 (b) when (so often in Late Hebrew, as Ab Eccl 1:8 (3 t. in verse); Eccl 1:14) Eccl 9:12; Eccl 10:3.
c. מִשֶּּׁ , i. q. מֵאֲשֶׁר a (p. 84:a), 2Kgs 6:12 מִי מִשֶּׁלָּנוּ who of those that are ours ? (but Klo Kmp^Kau Benz מְגַלֵּנוּ who betrays us ? compare ᵐ5); Eccl 5:4 than that (compare מֵאֲשֶׁר Eccl 3:22), + Eccl 2:24 (read מִשֶּׁיּאֹכַל with Ew De, etc.; compare Eccl 3:22).
d. שֶׁל, like אֲשֶׁרלְ (אֲשֶׁר 7 b), a mark of the genitive: thrice, adding slight emphasis to the suffix, Song 1:6 = Song 8:12 כַּרְמִי שֶׁלִּי my vineyard (literally my vineyard, which is mine), Song 3:7 מִטָּתוֺ שֶׁלִּשְׁלֹמֹה (so often in Late Hebrew, but without any special emphasis, as Aboth Song 1:12 הֲוֵי מתלמידיווּ שׁלאֿהרן be of Aaron's disciples, Song 2:1 שְׂכָרָן שֶׁלמִֿצְוֺת, vSong 2:2; Song 3:2 הֲוֵי מתפלל בשׁלומהּ שׁלמֿלכות; compare in Syriac, as Luke 6:42 my words, Nö^{§ 225}). And with בְּ, בְּשֶׁל literally through that which belongs to or concerns, pleonastic for on account of (a late, unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּרִיל, from בְּ, דִּי, and לְ, as in Onk Gen 12:13 בדילי on my account, Gen 30:27; Gen 39:5 בְּדִיל יוֺסֵף, בְּדִיל מָא on account of what ? Judg 8:1; 2Sam 9:1; 1Kgs 11:12; 1Kgs 11:39, etc.), Jonah 1:7 בְּשֶׁלְּמִי on account of whom ? (|| vJonah 1:8 בַּאֲשֶׁר לְמִי; probably a gloss), vJonah 1:12 בְּשֶׁלִּי an account of me (ᵑ7 בְּדִיל מַן, בְּדִילִי); Eccl 8:17 בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ on account of (the fact) that (= seeing that) man labours, etc. (unidiomatic translation of Aramaic בְּדִיל דְּ because that, as Gen 6:3 בְּדִיל דְּאִינוּן בִּסְרָא, Gen 39:9 בְּרִיל דְּאַתְּ אִיתְּתֵיהּ [for Hebrew בַּאֲשֶׁר אַתְּ אִשְׁתּוֺ]; Palmyrene בדיל די Ldzb²³³, — in Tariff Gen 1:4 (Cooke^{N. Semitic Inscr. 320}) = ἐπειδή).

[שֹׁא] see [ שׁוֺא].

BDB9652 H3964 H4101 H4100

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 ? Dan 4:32 מה עבדת.

2. whatever, what (compare Biblical Hebrew 1 b end) Dan 2:22 ידע מח בחשׁוכא knoweth what is in darkness, Ezra 6:9: so מָה דִּי (compare דִּי 1 b: so Nabataean; Palmyrene מא די, מדי, Lzb³⁰⁶ Cooke^{320, 332}) Dan 2:28; Dan 2:29 (twice in verse); Dan 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! Dan 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 4 d b, p. 554:a).
c. עלמֿה wherefore? Dan 2:15.

what, why, wherefore, how, wherein, …

mâ

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

(interr pron) what, how, of what kind

(interrogative)

what?

how, how now

wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

how much?, how many?, how often?

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncfsc

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H802

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncfsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3687

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqrfsa

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H1993

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ncfsa

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6615

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Tn

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H1077

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqp3fs

Verb Chart

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3045

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar Ti

English Options

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H4100

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV