Numbers 23:8

Paleo Hebrew Niqqud

RBT Hebrew Interlinear:

מה מָה

what/why/how!

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

מה

mâh

Definition

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

Root

or מה; or מ; or מ; also מה; a primitive particle;

Exhaustive

or מה; or מ; or מ; also מה; a primitive particle; 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; how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H4100

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

מָה

interrogative pronoun • Root מה • Strongs / High • Page 815

An interrogative pronoun, meaning 'what?'. It has various applications, including direct and indirect questions, functioning as a substantive ('what of...'), expressing quality ('what kind of...'), conveying reproach or negation, serving as an exclamation of wonder ('how...!'), and meaning 'whatever' or 'why'.

מָה

interrogative pronoun / adverb • Strongs / High • Page 816

An interrogative pronoun and adverb with various meanings including: what?, why?, how?, in what way?

מָה

interrogative pronoun • Strongs / High • Page 817

how what! = but how! how great! An interrogative pronoun, what? Also signifies 'on account of that, for that'.

מָה

aramaic pronoun (aramaic) • Strongs / High • Page 817

Aramaic interrogative pronoun, same as Hebrew. what? whatever, quidquid.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

מָה

interrog. pron. / particle • Page 358

1. what? spoken of things (Judg. 11:12; 2 Sam. 16:10, 19:23; Jer. 2:18; Hos. 14:9). 2. without an interrogation, what, whatever, something, any thing (Prov. 9:13; 2 Sam. 18:23; Job 13:13, 14; Ecc. 1:9, 3:15, 22:6; Dan. 10:10 (Aram.)). 3. before substantives, what, of what sort, qualis (Josh. 22:16; 1 Sam. 28:14; 1 K. 9:13). 4. how? (Gen. 44:16; Ex. 10:26; Gen. 28:17). 5. wherefore? (Judg. 8:1; Ps. 42:12). 6. not (Cant. 8:4; Job 16:6, 31:1, 20, 24).

מָה

interrog. pron. • Page 358

Chald. what, as in Heb. with and without an interrogation. מָה דִי that which (Dan. 2:28). Combined with prepositions: (1.) כְּמָה how, how very (Dan. 3:33). (2.) לְמָה דִי lest, that not (Ezra 4:22, 7:23).

Pronoun interrogative

LXX: τί τίσ τίνι ἐστιν ὡσ

LXX Usage Statistics

H4100:

τί 516× (62.9%)

τίσ 44× (5.6%)

τίνι 29× (3.2%)

ἐστιν 24× (2.6%)

ὡσ 14× (1.8%)

'' 13× (1.4%)

---% 11× (1.1%)

τίνοσ 11× (1.3%)

τι 10× (1.1%)

--- 10× (1.3%)

אקב אֶקֹּב

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

קבב

qâbab

Definition

to scoop out, i.e. (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e. stab with words)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to scoop out, i.e. (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e. stab with words); [idiom] at all, curse.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6895

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

קָבַב

perf. • Root קבב • Strongs / High • Page 1253

I. To cut into or through, to dig through, to split, to cut off, to hollow out, or to deepen a vessel. Figuratively: to curse, to revile, to blaspheme.

קָבַב

verb • Root קפף • Strongs / High • Page 1253

II. (not used) Intransitive: to be bent round, vaulted, or arched; to be hill-shaped.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

קָבַב

verb • Root נקב • Page 577

to execrate, curse, i. q. נָקַב no. 3. From this form come only the pret. infin. and imper. Num. 23: 8 ff.

Verb Qal imperfect first person common singular

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H6895:

No stats available

לא לֹא

not

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

לא

lôʼ

Definition

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

Root

or לוא; or לה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle;

Exhaustive

or לוא; or לה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3808

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

לֹא

negative particle • Root אל • Strongs / High • Page 759

A negative particle; not, no. It functions as an absolute negative, a negative answer to a question, or a refusal. Used with verbs in various tenses and moods to express negation or prohibition.

לֹא

particle • Strongs / High • Page 761

A K'ri reading for לוֹ.

לֹא

adverb / particle • Strongs / High • Page 760

Not; No; Nothing (substantive use); Before (cognate sense to טֶרֶם).

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

לֹא

adverb • Page 338

A primitive adverb of negation (more rarely לוֹא). 1. not. 2. no (Gen. 19:2). 3. nothing (Job 6:21). 4. without (1 Chr. 2:30). 5. interrogative, nonne? (Jon. 4:11). 6. lest, that not (Ex. 28:32). 7. In combination with adjectives/substantives it gives a negative signification (e.g., לֹא עֹז without strength).

Particle negative

LXX: οὐκ οὐ μὴ οὐδὲ οὐχ

LXX Usage Statistics

H3808:

οὐκ 1137× (34.5%)

οὐ 797× (24.2%)

μὴ 184× (5.6%)

οὐδὲ 150× (4.5%)

οὐχ 127× (3.9%)

οὐχὶ 120× (3.6%)

--- 98× (3.0%)

'' 94× (2.4%)

---% 62× (1.5%)

οὐκέτι 50× (1.4%)

קבה קַבֹּה

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

קבב

qâbab

Definition

to scoop out, i.e. (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e. stab with words)

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; to scoop out, i.e. (figuratively) to malign or execrate (i.e. stab with words); [idiom] at all, curse.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H6895

ו

Definition

him, personal pronoun - verb/prep. 3rd person masculine singular

Root

Exhaustive

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H9033

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

קָבַב

perf. • Root קבב • Strongs / High • Page 1253

I. To cut into or through, to dig through, to split, to cut off, to hollow out, or to deepen a vessel. Figuratively: to curse, to revile, to blaspheme.

קָבַב

verb • Root קפף • Strongs / High • Page 1253

II. (not used) Intransitive: to be bent round, vaulted, or arched; to be hill-shaped.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

קָבַב

verb • Root נקב • Page 577

to execrate, curse, i. q. נָקַב no. 3. From this form come only the pret. infin. and imper. Num. 23: 8 ff.

Verb Qal perfect third person masculine singular, Suffix pronominal third person masculine singular

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H6895:

No stats available

אל אֵל

toward

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

אל

ʼêl

Definition

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)

Root

shortened from H352 (איל);

Exhaustive

shortened from איל; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity); God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.'

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H410

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

אֵל

pronominal stem • Strongs_Numbers • Page 127

Aramaic demonstrative pronoun, same as Hebrew II. in a variety of senses.

אֵל

noun masculine • Strongs_Numbers • Page 127

God (used in proper names like טָבְאֵל).

אֵל

noun • Strongs_Numbers • Page 127

Used as a groundform for אַלִי.

אֵל

pronoun demonstrative • Root אלה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 129

Pronominal stem abridged from 'ela, a demonstrative vocable. Demonstrative pronoun plural 'these'. A stronger form than 'ela, namely 'elle. Often found with the article הָאֵל (these).

אֵל

pronoun • Root אלה • Strongs_Numbers • Page 129

Aramaic equivalent to the Hebrew אֵל II. Found only in Ezr. 5, 15 K'ri, for which the K'tib has אֵלֶּה synonymous with the Targumic אִלֵּךְ.

אֵל

noun masculine • Root איל אול • Strongs_Numbers • Page 129

A very old Semitic name of the highest deity, which already appears in the pre-historic period: God. Stands both for the God of the Hebrews (Jehovah), gods of another nation, or idols. Also means 'strong' or 'mighty'.

אֵל

noun masculine • Strongs_Numbers • Page 130

God, Deity; applied to the true God, pagan gods, or in proper names. Also denotes strength, might, or power (e.g., in the phrase 'it is in the power of my hand').

אֵל

pronom. stem • Strongs_Numbers • Page 131

Collateral form of pronoun demonstrative אֵל (these).

אֵל

pronom. stem • Strongs_Numbers • Page 131

Construct of אֶל I. (preposition 'to', 'towards').

אֵל

abbreviation • Strongs_Numbers • Page 131

An abbreviation of God in proper names, e.g. אֶלְעָלָא, אֶלְזָבָד.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

אֶל

chald. • Page 49

Chald. idem. [to Hebrew אַל]. Dan. 2: 24.

אֶל

preposition • Page 50

Primary preposition meaning: 1. to (sign of the dative); 2. towards, even to (Num. 24:1); 3. at, on, near (1 K. 13:20); 4. about, concerning (Gen. 20:2); 5. in, into (Gen. 8:9); 6. among (1 Sam. 10:22); 7. through (Ezek. 44:7); 8. for, on account of (1 K. 14:5); 9. in combination with other prepositions implies direction.

אֵל

m. verbal / dec. i. a. • Root אול • Page 49

1. strong, mighty (Ezek. 31:11). 2. strength, power (Gen. 31:29; Prov. 3:27). 3. most frequently God, applied both to Jehovah and heathen gods (Is. 44:10).

אֵל

pronoun • Page 49

pronoun plural; i. q. אֵלֶּה [these]. Also appears in the form הָאֵל.

אֵל

chald. • Page 50

Chald. idem. Ezra 5:15 Keri.

Noun common both singular absolute

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H0410:

No stats available

ומה וּמָה

and what/how

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

ו

wə

Definition

and

Root

From H8505; a prefix

Exhaustive

The conjunctive ו is not merely a fixed coordinator with a stable semantic value (“and/but/or/then”). Its core function is linkage, not meaning. It binds units into a single discourse field—phrases, clauses, or whole scenes—while leaving the logical relation to be inferred from aspect, word order, genre, and context.

So the variability in translation (“and / but / or / even / then”) is not polyvalence in the particle; it is underspecification by design. The language expects the reader/hearer to perceive the relation rather than have it encoded.

Crucially, conjunctive ו does not imply temporal sequence. It implies continuity of attention. Think of it as:
- “this belongs with what precedes,”
- “remain within the same frame,”
“do not reset the discourse.”
This is why Hebrew can chain dozens of clauses with ו without subordination or explicit logic markers. The text advances by accumulation, not by branching syntactic trees. Meaning arises from the interaction:
- Aspect (qatal / yiqtol / participle),
- Position (fronted elements, resumptive nouns),
- Genre (law, narrative, oracle),
- Context (who speaks, to whom).
The ו simply keeps the circuit closed so these cues can operate together. Remove tense assumptions, and the system becomes coherent.

Source: The Aonic Nature of Biblical Hebrew Prepositions

מה

mâh

Definition

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

Root

or מה; or מ; or מ; also מה; a primitive particle;

Exhaustive

or מה; or מ; or מ; also מה; a primitive particle; 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; how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H4100

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

מָה

interrogative pronoun • Root מה • Strongs / High • Page 815

An interrogative pronoun, meaning 'what?'. It has various applications, including direct and indirect questions, functioning as a substantive ('what of...'), expressing quality ('what kind of...'), conveying reproach or negation, serving as an exclamation of wonder ('how...!'), and meaning 'whatever' or 'why'.

מָה

interrogative pronoun / adverb • Strongs / High • Page 816

An interrogative pronoun and adverb with various meanings including: what?, why?, how?, in what way?

מָה

interrogative pronoun • Strongs / High • Page 817

how what! = but how! how great! An interrogative pronoun, what? Also signifies 'on account of that, for that'.

מָה

aramaic pronoun (aramaic) • Strongs / High • Page 817

Aramaic interrogative pronoun, same as Hebrew. what? whatever, quidquid.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

מָה

interrog. pron. / particle • Page 358

1. what? spoken of things (Judg. 11:12; 2 Sam. 16:10, 19:23; Jer. 2:18; Hos. 14:9). 2. without an interrogation, what, whatever, something, any thing (Prov. 9:13; 2 Sam. 18:23; Job 13:13, 14; Ecc. 1:9, 3:15, 22:6; Dan. 10:10 (Aram.)). 3. before substantives, what, of what sort, qualis (Josh. 22:16; 1 Sam. 28:14; 1 K. 9:13). 4. how? (Gen. 44:16; Ex. 10:26; Gen. 28:17). 5. wherefore? (Judg. 8:1; Ps. 42:12). 6. not (Cant. 8:4; Job 16:6, 31:1, 20, 24).

מָה

interrog. pron. • Page 358

Chald. what, as in Heb. with and without an interrogation. מָה דִי that which (Dan. 2:28). Combined with prepositions: (1.) כְּמָה how, how very (Dan. 3:33). (2.) לְמָה דִי lest, that not (Ezra 4:22, 7:23).

Conjunction, Pronoun interrogative

LXX: τί τίσ τίνι ἐστιν ὡσ

LXX Usage Statistics

H4100:

τί 516× (62.9%)

τίσ 44× (5.6%)

τίνι 29× (3.2%)

ἐστιν 24× (2.6%)

ὡσ 14× (1.8%)

'' 13× (1.4%)

---% 11× (1.1%)

τίνοσ 11× (1.3%)

τι 10× (1.1%)

--- 10× (1.3%)

אזעם אֶזְעֹם

None

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

זעם

zâʻam

Definition

properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e. to be enraged

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e. to be enraged; abhor, abominable, (be) angry, defy, (have) indignation.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H2194

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

זָעַם

verb • Root זעם • Strongs / High • Page 440

To roar, to foam; then to be irritated, excited, enraged, to be angry, to rage; spoken of God, to perform judgment, to punish; to curse. Figuratively, of a measure, to be cursed or scant.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

זָעַם

verb • Page 206

1. to be angry with, to have indignation against, hence to punish with indignation (Mal. 1:4; Zech. 1:12; Is. 66:14; Dan. 11:30). 2. to curse, to execrate (Num. 23:7, 8; Prov. 24:24; Mic. 6:10). Niphal: (as if pass. of Hiphil) to be angry (Prov. 25:23).

Verb Qal imperfect first person common singular

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H2194:

No stats available

לא לֹא

not

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

לא

lôʼ

Definition

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

Root

or לוא; or לה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle;

Exhaustive

or לוא; or לה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3808

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

לֹא

negative particle • Root אל • Strongs / High • Page 759

A negative particle; not, no. It functions as an absolute negative, a negative answer to a question, or a refusal. Used with verbs in various tenses and moods to express negation or prohibition.

לֹא

particle • Strongs / High • Page 761

A K'ri reading for לוֹ.

לֹא

adverb / particle • Strongs / High • Page 760

Not; No; Nothing (substantive use); Before (cognate sense to טֶרֶם).

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

לֹא

adverb • Page 338

A primitive adverb of negation (more rarely לוֹא). 1. not. 2. no (Gen. 19:2). 3. nothing (Job 6:21). 4. without (1 Chr. 2:30). 5. interrogative, nonne? (Jon. 4:11). 6. lest, that not (Ex. 28:32). 7. In combination with adjectives/substantives it gives a negative signification (e.g., לֹא עֹז without strength).

Particle negative

LXX: οὐκ οὐ μὴ οὐδὲ οὐχ

LXX Usage Statistics

H3808:

οὐκ 1137× (34.5%)

οὐ 797× (24.2%)

μὴ 184× (5.6%)

οὐδὲ 150× (4.5%)

οὐχ 127× (3.9%)

οὐχὶ 120× (3.6%)

--- 98× (3.0%)

'' 94× (2.4%)

---% 62× (1.5%)

οὐκέτι 50× (1.4%)

זעם זָעַם

has foamed at the mouth in anger

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

זעם

zâʻam

Definition

properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e. to be enraged

Root

a primitive root;

Exhaustive

a primitive root; properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e. to be enraged; abhor, abominable, (be) angry, defy, (have) indignation.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H2194

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

זָעַם

verb • Root זעם • Strongs / High • Page 440

To roar, to foam; then to be irritated, excited, enraged, to be angry, to rage; spoken of God, to perform judgment, to punish; to curse. Figuratively, of a measure, to be cursed or scant.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

זָעַם

verb • Page 206

1. to be angry with, to have indignation against, hence to punish with indignation (Mal. 1:4; Zech. 1:12; Is. 66:14; Dan. 11:30). 2. to curse, to execrate (Num. 23:7, 8; Prov. 24:24; Mic. 6:10). Niphal: (as if pass. of Hiphil) to be angry (Prov. 25:23).

Verb Qal perfect third person masculine singular

LXX:

LXX Usage Statistics

H2194:

No stats available

יהוה יְהוָה׃

He Is

STRONGS

Strong's Lexicon

יהוה

Yᵉhôvâh

Definition

Jehovah, Jewish national name of God

Root

from H1961 (היה); (the) self-Existent or Eternal;

Exhaustive

from היה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יה, יהוה.

Source: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance — H3068

Fürst

Fürst Lexicon

יְהֹוָה

noun masculine • Root יהה • Strongs / High • Page 590

A pre-Mosaic old Semitic name of the supreme God, which was specially revealed for the older אֵל at the establishment of the Mosaic religion, as an abstract of all divine greatness and holiness.

Gesenius

Gesenius Lexicon

יְהֹוָה

proper name • Page 275

The proper name of the deity among the ancient Hebrews. Interpreted as 'the eternal, unchangeable, true' or 'he who is as he shall be.' The text discusses various ancient pronunciations (IAΩ, IABE, IETΩ) and its derivation from the future of הָיָה.

Noun proper name

LXX: κύριοσ κυρίου κυρίῳ κύριον κύριε

LXX Usage Statistics

H3068:

κύριοσ 2605× (41.8%)

κυρίου 1742× (27.8%)

κυρίῳ 598× (8.8%)

κύριον 473× (7.1%)

κύριε 336× (5.4%)

--- 129× (2.1%)

'' 95× (1.3%)

θεὸσ 76× (1.0%)

θεοῦ 69× (0.9%)

θεῷ 28× (0.4%)

RBT Translation:

No verse found

RBT Paraphrase:
No verse found

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
How shall I curse, God cursing not? And how shall I be angry, God not being angry?

LITV Translation:
How shall I curse him whom God has not cursed? And how shall I rage at him whom Jehovah has not raged at?

Brenton Septuagint Translation:
How can I curse whom the Lord curses not? Or how can I devote whom God devotes not?