מֵאָה

From the study of Ecclesiastes 8:12

Range of meaning

Hundred. Used for exact counts and as a round number for 'many' (Prov 17:10, 'a hundred blows'; Eccl 6:3, 'a hundred children').

Against the English

'A hundred times' in most versions, which supply 'times'. The NIV's 'a hundred crimes' makes the repetition concrete.

Used elsewhere in the period

The construct-looking form mᵉʾat standing alone is unusual (the normal form is mēʾāh). Some suggest a scribal slip or a Late Hebrew form. The Septuagint apparently read a time word ('from then'). Most lexicons (BDB, HALOT) accept 'a hundred (times)'.

From the study of Ezra 2:21

Range of meaning

Ordinary cardinal numbers: 'hundred', 'twenty', 'three'. Hebrew writes them out in words, usually with the largest unit first and 'and' before the last.

Against the English

KJV and YLT keep the Hebrew order ('an hundred twenty and three'). BSB uses the numeral 123. The meaning is the same.

Used elsewhere in the period

Numbers written out in words were easily miscopied, which helps explain why many figures differ between Ezra 2, Nehemiah 7, and 1 Esdras 5.

From the study of Nehemiah 7:26

Range of meaning

Cardinal numbers, "one hundred, eighty, and eight" = 188.

Against the English

Modern versions write the figure as 188. KJV and YLT keep the word order: "an hundred fourscore and eight" and "a hundred eighty and eight".

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezra 2:21–22 gives 123 for Bethlehem and 56 for Netophah. Together that is 179, nine fewer than Nehemiah's 188.