מָא

מָא

(as indefinitely) that

Definition

The Aramaic word מָא (mâʼ) is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'what?' or 'what thing?'. It functions to introduce a question about an object, action, or matter. In its single biblical occurrence in Ezra 6:8, it is used in a royal decree to specify the resources required for the temple's reconstruction, essentially meaning 'that which' or 'whatever' is needed. It serves as an indefinite relative pronoun, pointing to an unspecified object or set of objects.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Ezra. It is used in the context of a formal decree from King Darius, authorizing the provision of resources for rebuilding the Jerusalem temple. In Ezra 6:8, it is part of the phrase 'and whatever is needed' (וּמָֽה־חַשְׁחָ֡ן), demonstrating its use in official, administrative language to refer to an unspecified but necessary set of items or expenses.

Etymology

This is an Aramaic word, corresponding directly to the Hebrew interrogative pronoun מָה (mâh, H4100), which also means 'what?'. It belongs to a common Semitic root for forming interrogatives. Its meaning developed from a simple question word ('what?') to also function as an indefinite pronoun ('that which', 'whatever') in certain syntactic contexts, as seen in Ezra.

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a common pronoun, its single usage in Ezra 6:8 is theologically significant as part of God's sovereign provision for His people. The decree containing מָא demonstrates how God moved a pagan king's heart to fund the rebuilding of His temple, fulfilling prophecy (Jeremiah 29:10). It highlights God's faithfulness in using even foreign powers to accomplish His redemptive plans and provide for the worship of His name. The word appears in an official Persian imperial decree. Its use reflects the administrative and legal Aramaic common in the Persian Empire, the lingua franca of diplomacy and governance. The context shows the Persian system of funding state-sanctioned religious projects, which provided the cultural and political framework for the temple's restoration. מָה (mâh, H4100) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, used far more frequently throughout the Old Testament with the same core meaning of 'what?'.

Word Details