מָהַהּ (ma.hah)
ma.hah
to delay
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb mahah describes the act of lingering or delaying, often with a sense of hesitation or reluctance. It appears nine times in the Old Testament, capturing moments where movement is paused or slowed. Rather than a simple stop, it implies a dragging of feet or a holding back from immediate action.
This word carries a distinct emotional weight, frequently associated with fear or uncertainty. In Genesis 31:25, Laban pursues Jacob but delays his attack, showing how mahah can reflect a tense standoff. Similarly, in Judges 5:28, the mother of Sisera waits and delays, her heart growing faint as she anticipates a return that never comes. The term highlights the psychological tension of waiting for an uncertain outcome.
While it can simply mean to wait, mahah often suggests a delay born of doubt or fear rather than patient expectation. Translators render it variously as "delay," "tarry," or "linger," depending on the context. The word serves as a reminder that not all waiting is faithful; sometimes it stems from a lack of trust in God's timing.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mahah describes a lingering or hesitation, often driven by fear or uncertainty rather than patient trust. In Genesis 19:16, Lot’s delay in fleeing Sodom required divine intervention to save him, showing how attachment to the past can endanger our spiritual safety. This verb reminds us that while waiting is sometimes necessary, hesitation rooted in doubt can keep us from God’s deliverance.
When we face difficult decisions or uncertain outcomes, it is natural to feel a pull to stay put. Yet Scripture invites us to move forward in faith, trusting that God’s timing is perfect. Psalms 119:60 encourages believers to hurry and not delay in obeying God’s commands, highlighting the importance of responsive action. By choosing trust over hesitation, we align our hearts with God’s purpose for our lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- we had delayed1×
- to/ delay1×
- it will delay1×
- delayed/ they1×
- delay1×
- and/ he delayed1×
- and/ delay1×
- [will] delay1×
- I have delayed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ1×
- לְ/הִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ1×
- יִתְמַהְמָהּ֙1×
- וַֽ/יִּתְמַהְמָ֓הּ\׀1×
- וְ/הִֽתְמַהְמְה֖וּ1×
- הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְתִּי1×
- הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְנוּ1×
- הִתְמַהְמְה֣וּ1×
- הִֽתְמַהְמְהָ֑/ם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 19:16
But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and his two daughters’ hands, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out, and set him outside of the city.
Lot's lingering in Sodom required divine intervention to save him, illustrating how hesitation rooted in attachment can endanger spiritual safety.
-
Psalms 119:60
I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
This verse contrasts delay with obedience, encouraging believers to act promptly in response to God's commands rather than hesitating in doubt.
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Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it, because it will surely come. It won’t delay.
The prophet assures that God's vision will not delay, offering hope that divine promises are fulfilled according to a perfect and timely schedule.