מְאָה
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction}
Definition
The word מְאָה (mᵉʼâh) is an Aramaic noun meaning 'a hundred.' It functions primarily as a cardinal number, denoting the quantity one hundred, as seen in Ezra 6:17 where 'a hundred bulls' were sacrificed. It can also be used in a multiplicative sense, meaning 'a hundred times' or 'a hundredfold,' and in a fractional sense, meaning 'a hundredth part,' as indicated in Ezra 7:22 where it refers to precise measurements for temple offerings. In Daniel 6:1, it is used administratively to denote divisions of a kingdom ('a hundred and twenty satraps'), showing its application in organizational contexts.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament (Ezra and Daniel). It is used in three distinct contexts: for counting sacrificial animals (Ezra 6:17), for specifying exact weights and measures in royal decrees (Ezra 7:22), and for describing political or administrative divisions (Daniel 6:1). Its usage is formal and precise, tied to royal edicts, temple service, and governance.
Etymology
This is the Aramaic form corresponding directly to the Hebrew noun מֵאָה (H3967), both meaning 'a hundred.' It derives from a common Semitic root for the numeral, indicating it is a primitive, base-ten numeral. The Aramaic form was adopted into the biblical text in sections written during or reflecting the post-exilic period when Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Persian Empire.
Semantic Range
While primarily a numeral, its use in Ezra connects to themes of restoration and precise obedience in worship, as the returned exiles meticulously follow Persian decrees to reestablish temple sacrifices. In Daniel, its administrative use in Daniel 6:1 sets the stage for the satraps' conspiracy, highlighting the structure of human kingdoms contrasted with God's sovereign rule. Understanding it as Aramaic reminds readers of the historical context of exile and God's faithfulness amidst foreign dominion.
In the ancient Near East, large, round numbers like 'a hundred' often symbolized completeness, abundance, or a large administrative unit. The precise measurements in Ezra 7:22 reflect the standardized systems of the Persian Empire, which facilitated trade and taxation. Its use in Daniel 6:1 mirrors the administrative terminology of the Babylonian and Persian empires, organizing vast territories.
מֵאָה (mēʼâh, H3967) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, used far more frequently throughout the Hebrew Old Testament.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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