Bible Dictionary
Lama
“Lama” is a Hebrew word meaning “why.” It appears in Jesus’ cry from the cross, quoting Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
Definition
Lama is a Hebrew word meaning “why.” It is preserved in the expression quoted in the account of Jesus’ cry from the cross and corresponds to the opening question of Psalm 22.
Biblical Usage
The word occurs in Jesus’ cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” It is identified as a quotation from Psalm 22:1.
Historical Background
Lama is a Hebrew term retained in the New Testament wording of the cry.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Matt. 27:46), a Hebrew word meaning why, quoted from Ps. 22:1.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See ELI, ELI, LAMA, SABACHTHANI.</p>