מְא֫וּמָה (me.u.mah)
me.u.mah
anything
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 28 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun meʾumah means "anything" or "something," but its usage is tightly bound to context, often functioning as a placeholder for quantity or degree. Derived from a root suggesting a small point or speck, it denotes an indefinite amount that can be either positive or negative depending on the surrounding words. In many instances, it appears with negations like "not" or "no," effectively translating to "nothing" or "not anything."
This flexibility is evident in how translators render it across different books. In Genesis 39:23, Joseph’s prison warden did not know meʾumah about the matter, emphasizing a complete lack of knowledge. Conversely, in 1 Samuel 12:4, David asks if he has taken anything from anyone, using the word to inquire about specific items or faults. The term allows for precision in denial or inquiry without specifying exactly what is involved.
Its presence in narratives like 2 Kings 5:20, where Gehazi claims they brought nothing but money, highlights its role in clarifying extent. Translators often choose between "anything," "nothing," or "somewhat" based on whether the sentence affirms or denies existence. This grammatical adaptability makes it a common tool for expressing absolute absence or indefinite presence in biblical Hebrew.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word meʾumah often appears in sentences where we want to express that something is missing or unknown. In Genesis 39, Joseph’s master did not know meʾumah about his work because God was with him. This shows that when we walk faithfully, our integrity can be so clear that even those in authority cannot find fault or confusion regarding our actions.
Yet this word also reminds us of our own limitations. In Ecclesiastes 9:5, we read that the dead do not know anything. This is a sobering reminder that our knowledge here is partial. We are invited to trust God with what we cannot see or understand, rather than trying to control every outcome.
When you feel uncertain about a situation, remember that God sees what others miss. You do not need to have all the answers. Your role is to remain faithful in the small things, knowing that God handles the rest.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 28 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- anything24×
- to/ anything2×
- and/ [was] anything1×
- [is] anything1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְא֔וּמָה9×
- מְא֑וּמָה6×
- מְאֽוּמָה\׃5×
- לִ/מְאֽוּמָה\׃2×
- מְא֣וּמָה1×
- מְא֙וּמָה֙1×
- מְא֗וּמָה1×
- מְא֖וּמָה1×
- מְא֑וּמָּה1×
- וּ/מְא֖וּמָה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 39:23
The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him; and that which he did, Yahweh made it prosper.
This verse uses meʾumah to emphasize that Joseph’s master had no knowledge of any wrongdoing because Yahweh was with him, highlighting the protective power of integrity.
-
Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten.
Here the word underscores the finality of death, stating that the dead know nothing, which grounds our hope in life and God rather than in post-mortem awareness.
-
Genesis 39:9
No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Joseph uses this term to define the limits of his master’s trust, noting that only his wife was withheld, which clarifies the specific nature of his temptation and refusal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does meʾumah mean in the Bible?
Why does Genesis 39:23 say the master knew nothing?
How is this word used in Ecclesiastes?
Every Occurrence (28 verses across 12 books)
Genesis 6 verses
He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not…
Genesis 30:31Laban said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I…
Genesis 39:6He left all that he had in Joseph’s hand. He didn’t concern himself with anything, except for the food which he ate.…
Genesis 39:9No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife.…
Genesis 39:23The keeper of the prison didn’t look after anything that was under his hand, because Yahweh was with him; and that…
Genesis 40:15For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me…