Lexical Summary mahah: To linger, delay, tarry Original Word: מָהַהּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance delay, linger, stay selves, tarry Apparently a denominative from mah; properly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant -- delay, linger, stay selves, tarry. see HEBREW mah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to linger, tarry NASB Translation delay (2), delayed (2), delaying (1), hesitated (1), tarries (1), wait (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָהַהּ] verb only Hithpalpel linger, tarry (compare Arabic Hithpalpel Perfect1singular הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְתִּי Psalm 119:60; 3plural הִתְמַהְמְהוּ Judges 19:8; 1plural הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְנוּ Genesis 43:10; Imperfect יִתְמַהְמַהּ Habakkuk 2:3; ׳וַיִּתְמ Genesis 19:16; Imperative masculine plural הִתְמַהְמְהוּ Isaiah 29:9; Infinitive לְהִתְמַחְמֵהַּ Exodus 12:39; Participle מִתְמַהְמֵהַּ 2 Samuel 15:28; — linger, tarry, wait, of person, Genesis 19:16; Genesis 43:10 (J), Exodus 12:39 (E), Judges 3:26; Judges 19:8; 2 Samuel 15:28; Isaiah 29:9; Psalm 119:60 (with לֹא, opposed to חַ֫שְׁתִּי); subject חָזוֺן vision Habakkuk 2:3 מְהוּמָה see הום. מְהוּמָן see אמן. מְהֵיטַבְאֵל see יטב. Topical Lexicon OverviewThe verb מָהַהּ portrays a moment of hesitation, lingering, or delay. Its nine Old Testament appearances span narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic settings, giving the concept broad theological weight: God calls for prompt obedience, but human beings often waver; conversely, God Himself never lingers beyond the perfect time He has appointed. Genesis Narratives: Reluctance versus Rescue In Genesis 19:16 Lot “hesitated” as judgment loomed over Sodom. The angels literally seize him, emphasizing that even a righteous man can falter when decisive faith is demanded. The scene showcases divine mercy overruling human indecision—an early testimony that salvation is God-initiated. By contrast, Genesis 43:10 records Judah’s lament, “For if we had not delayed, we could have already come and gone twice.” The family’s procrastination in sending Benjamin prolongs famine misery, illustrating how delay magnifies suffering when God’s provision lies ahead. Exodus: Urgent Redemption Exodus 12:39 turns the idea on its head. Israel “could not delay” in leaving Egypt, baking unleavened bread on the run. Their haste dramatizes the immediacy of redemption: when the LORD acts, lingering is no longer possible. The Passover memorializes that moment, urging every generation to keep spiritual vigilance. Judges: Strategic and Moral Tension Judges 3:26 shows Ehud exploiting the Moabites’ delay to escape after assassinating Eglon. Here hesitation belongs to Israel’s oppressors, serving God’s deliverance plan. In Judges 19:8, however, procrastination leads to tragedy. The Levite lingers at his father-in-law’s urging, setting in motion the horrific events at Gibeah. The book contrasts delays that further divine liberation with those that precipitate moral collapse. Royal History: Waiting in Faith David, fleeing Absalom, tells Zadok, “I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you” (2 Samuel 15:28). The king’s waiting is not indecision but measured trust. He refuses to act without reliable information, modeling patient dependence on God while avoiding rashness. Wisdom and Worship: Prompt Obedience Psalm 119:60 crystallizes the psalmist’s devotion: “I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.” Here מָהַהּ appears negatively—obedience brooks no delay. The verse supplies a litmus test for genuine piety: eagerness to act on revealed truth. Prophetic Usage: Warning and Assurance Isaiah 29:9 employs the verb imperatively: “Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless.” The prophet calls Judah to pause and consider impending judgment. Lingering here is diagnostic; their spiritual stupor exposes hardened hearts. Habakkuk 2:3 offers the complementary perspective: “Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.” The vision’s seeming slowness is a test of faith, yet divine timing is certain. God never procrastinates; perceived delay refines the believer’s endurance. Theological Themes 1. Human reluctance can jeopardize blessing (Lot, Jacob’s sons, the Levite). Ministry Implications • Preaching: Illustrate the gospel call’s urgency—“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Lot’s rescue warns against postponing repentance. • Discipleship: Encourage immediate obedience in small commands (Psalm 119:60) to cultivate a reflex of faith that will stand in crises. • Leadership: Distinguish between prayerful waiting and faithless stalling. David waited for confirmation; he did not flee responsibilities. • Pastoral Care: Comfort those discouraged by unanswered prayer with Habakkuk 2:3. God’s schedule never falters; “it will surely come.” Conclusion מָהַהּ traces a tension woven through Scripture: the human tendency to linger and the divine summons to act—or to wait—in step with God’s perfect timing. Whether warning against procrastination or reassuring that God Himself “will not delay,” the word reminds believers that faith expresses itself in rightly timed action, neither rushing ahead of the Lord nor dragging behind Him. Forms and Transliterations הִֽתְמַהְמְהָ֑ם הִתְמַהְמְה֣וּ הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְנוּ הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְתִּי התמהמהו התמהמהם התמהמהנו התמהמהתי וְהִֽתְמַהְמְה֖וּ וַֽיִּתְמַהְמָ֓הּ ׀ והתמהמהו ויתמהמה יִתְמַהְמָהּ֙ יתמהמה לְהִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ להתמהמה מִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ מתמהמה hiṯ·mah·mā·hə·nū hiṯ·mah·mā·hə·tî hiṯ·mah·mə·hām hiṯ·mah·mə·hū hitmahMahenu hiṯmahmāhənū hitmahMaheti hiṯmahmāhətî hitmahmeHam hiṯmahməhām hitmahmeHu hiṯmahməhū lə·hiṯ·mah·mê·ah lehitmahMeah ləhiṯmahmêah miṯ·mah·mê·ah mitmahMeah miṯmahmêah vaiyitmahMah vehitmahmeHu way·yiṯ·mah·māh wayyiṯmahmāh wə·hiṯ·mah·mə·hū wəhiṯmahməhū yiṯ·mah·māh yitmahMah yiṯmahmāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 19:16 HEB: וַֽיִּתְמַהְמָ֓הּ ׀ וַיַּחֲזִ֨קוּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֜ים NAS: But he hesitated. So the men seized KJV: And while he lingered, the men INT: hesitated seized the men Genesis 43:10 Exodus 12:39 Judges 3:26 Judges 19:8 2 Samuel 15:28 Psalm 119:60 Isaiah 29:9 Habakkuk 2:3 9 Occurrences |
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slow walk, delay (†am.)); —