Hebrew · H3201, H4102 · unreviewed

לֹא יָכְלוּ לְהִתְמַהְמֵהַּ

To be able , literally ( can , could ) or morally ( may , might ) · properly, to question or hesitate , i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

יָכֹל H3201 to be able , literally ( can , could ) or morally ( may , might )
Pronunciation yākōl
Denotes capability spanning physical power through moral permission; often emphasizes human limitation against divine will or circumstance.
Open lexicon entry →
מָהַהּ H4102 properly, to question or hesitate , i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant

What does לֹא יָכְלוּ לְהִתְמַהְמֵהַּ (lōʾ yākĕlû lĕhitmahĕmēah) mean in the Bible?

יָכֹל · מָהַהּ is a Hebrew word meaning "to be able , literally ( can , could ) or morally ( may , might )".

Full entry for לֹא יָכְלוּ לְהִתְמַהְמֵהַּ (H3201, H4102) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to be able , literally ( can , could ) or morally ( may , might )
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 180×
Imperfect 1Kgs 3:9 · 1Sam 3:2 · 1Sam 6:20 · 1Sam 17:9 · 2Chr 32:14 · 2Chr 32:15 · 2Kgs 18:29 · Dan 10:17 · Deut 21:16 · Deut 22:19 · Deut 22:29 · Deut 24:4 · Eccl 1:8 · Eccl 1:15 · Eccl 6:10 · Eccl 7:13 128×
Perfect 1Kgs 8:11 · 1Kgs 9:21 · 2Chr 5:14 · 2Chr 7:2 · 2Chr 29:34 · 2Chr 30:3 · 2Chr 32:13 · 2Kgs 3:26 · 2Kgs 4:40 · 2Kgs 16:5 · Exod 7:21 · Exod 7:24 · Exod 8:14 · Exod 9:11 · Exod 12:39 · Exod 15:23 48×
Infinitive absolute 1Sam 26:25 · Num 13:30
Infinitive construct Deut 9:28 · Num 14:16
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 180 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Imperfect 128 Perfect 48 Infinitive absolute 2 Infinitive construct 2
Stem
Qal 180
Mood
Indicative/jussive 84 Indicative 48 Indicative/cohortative 44
OT Occurrences
Gen 13:6 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Gen 13:16 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Gen 15:5 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Gen 19:19 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 19:22 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 24:50 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 29:8 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 30:8 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Gen 31:35 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 32:26 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Gen 34:14 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 36:7 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Gen 37:4 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Gen 44:22 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Gen 44:26 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 44:26 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Gen 45:1 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Gen 45:3 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Gen 48:10 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Exod 2:3 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 7:21 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 7:24 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 8:14 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 9:11 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 10:5 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Exod 12:39 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 15:23 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Exod 18:18 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Exod 19:23 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Exod 33:20 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Exod 40:35 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Num 9:6 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Num 11:14 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Num 13:30 Qal · Infinitive absolute Num 13:30 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Num 13:31 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Num 14:16 Qal · Infinitive construct Num 22:6 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Num 22:11 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Num 22:18 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative +140 more occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Sources