Word Study for H4102 (מָהַהּ)

mâhahh /maw-hah'/ Ask about this word

Rootapparently a denominative from מָה

Meaningproperly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant

KJV usagedelay, linger, stay selves, tarry.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mâhahh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mâhahh, represented by H4102, conveys a sense of hesitation or delay. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible. Based on the idea of questioning or being reluctant, its primary meaning is to delay, linger, stay, or tarry.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H4102 often highlights a critical moment of inaction. When Lot lingered in Sodom, the angels had to lay hold of his hand to bring him out of the city, an act of mercy from the Lord Genesis 19:16. Jacob's sons reflect that if they had not lingered, they could have completed their journey to Egypt and returned much sooner Genesis 43:10. In a contrasting scene, the Israelites could not tarry when leaving Egypt because they were thrust out and had no time to prepare provisions Exodus 12:39. The word is also used prophetically, assuring that though a vision may seem to tarry, it will surely come and not be late Habakkuk 2:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the context and consequences of delaying:

H309 ʼâchar (delay, tarry longer): This word is a close synonym for procrastination or loitering. It is used in Habakkuk to affirm that God's vision will not tarry Habakkuk 2:3.
H2363 chûwsh (haste): As a direct antonym, this word means to hurry or be eager. The psalmist uses it to express righteous urgency, stating, "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments" Psalms 119:60.
H2388 châzaq (seize, be strong): This word describes the forceful action taken in response to hesitation. Because Lot lingered, the angels laid hold upon his hand to rescue him Genesis 19:16.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4102 is significant, often contrasting human hesitation with divine purpose.

Reluctance versus Divine Intervention: Lot's lingering in Sodom demonstrates human reluctance in the face of divine command. His hesitation required a direct, physical intervention to ensure his deliverance, highlighting God's mercy Genesis 19:16.
Patience in Prophetic Fulfillment: The word is used to address the human perception of divine timing. A vision from God may seem to tarry, but believers are instructed to wait for it, trusting in its certain fulfillment Habakkuk 2:3.
The Virtue of Prompt Obedience: Delaying is set in opposition to righteous action. The psalmist presents not delaying as a key aspect of keeping God's commandments Psalms 119:60, while Isaiah uses the command to "stay yourselves" to describe a state of spiritual stupor and staggering Isaiah 29:9.

Summary

In summary, H4102 is more than a simple reference to being late; it captures the critical nature of delay and hesitation. The word illustrates moments of human reluctance that require divine intervention, the tension between human perception and God's sovereign timing, and the spiritual importance of acting with prompt obedience. It reveals how a moment of lingering can have significant consequences, whether it allows an enemy to escape Judges 3:26 or requires an act of God for salvation Genesis 19:16.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Hithpael Infinitive Construct 2×
Hithpael Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Hithpael Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
Hithpael Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
Hithpael Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Hithpael Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
Hithpael Perfect 1st Plural common gender 1×
Hithpael Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×

Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender: Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect: Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Hithpael: Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect: Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect: Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute: The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct: Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 7 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Genesis and Judges (2 verses each); never once in the other 32.

Genesis

Exodus

Judges

2 Samuel

Psalms

Isaiah

Habakkuk

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.