← H4961 H4963 →

מַת

𐤌𐤕

math

H4962 noun

SILEX Entry

Root מת man, adult male, person

Definition

A man, particularly an adult male, with an emphasis on social status or capability; often used collectively (as a plural) to refer to men, community members, or warriors, sometimes with implications of valiant men or notable persons. In idiomatic contexts, can refer to few men or people, or to friends/associates in select parallel constructions. Rarely used for an individual, its usage is predominantly collective.

Semantic Range

man; adult male; men collectively; group of men (often valorous or notable); warriors; companions; few men; friends; persons; small number of people

Root / Etymology

Root: מת. Derived from an ancient Semitic root (possibly meaning 'man' or 'adult male'), though beyond Biblical Hebrew, its exact etymology is uncertain. It is related by form to מָתַי, but functionally distinct from other common terms for 'man' such as אִישׁ ('ish) or גֶּבֶר (gever). In some West Semitic languages, cognates denote 'man' or 'warrior.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

מַת appears primarily in poetic or archaic passages, notably in parallelism with other terms for men, such as אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ. It is frequently used in lists or constructions that emphasize the valor or societal standing of a group (e.g., 'men of valor'). Occasional idiomatic usage conveys 'few men' (i.e., scarce people) or a cohort (e.g., 'friends' as close associates). Its distribution is notably limited—the term is rare in prosaic narrative and largely absent from post-exilic writings, suggesting a possible decline in common speech. In later translations and tradition, it was at times rendered simply as 'men,' 'people,' or 'friends,' but such translations may obscure the term’s nuance and restricted usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the same as מָתַי; properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural); [phrase] few, [idiom] friends, men, persons, [idiom] small.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

מת (m-t) — man, adult male, person

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4962-04 מְתֵ֣י metey HNcmpc men of men of 12
H4962-05 מְתִ֔ם metim HNcmpa men adult men 4
H4962-06 מִֽ/מְתִ֥ים mimetim HR/Ncmpa from men adult men 2
H4962-01 בִּ/מְתֵ֣י bimetey HR/Ncmpc with few in men of 2
H4962-03 מְתָ֖י/ו metayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his-men his men 1
H4962-02 מְתַ֖יִ/ךְ metayikhe HNcmpc/Sp2fs your men your men 1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4962-04 Genesis 34:30 מְתֵ֣י metey HNcmpc few men of
H4962-05 Deuteronomy 2:34 מְתִ֔ם metim HNcmpa men adult men
H4962-05 Deuteronomy 3:6 מְתִ֔ם metim HNcmpa the men adult men
H4962-04 Deuteronomy 4:27 מְתֵ֣י metey HNcmpc men of men of
H4962-01 Deuteronomy 26:5 בִּ/מְתֵ֣י bimetey HR/Ncmpc with few in men of
H4962-01 Deuteronomy 28:62 בִּ/מְתֵ֣י bimetey HR/Ncmpc in number of in men of
H4962-03 Deuteronomy 33:6 מְתָ֖י/ו metayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms his-men his men
H4962-02 Isaiah 3:25 מְתַ֖יִ/ךְ metayikhe HNcmpc/Sp2fs your men your men
H4962-04 Isaiah 5:13 מְתֵ֣י metey HNcmpc men men of
H4962-04 Isaiah 41:14 מְתֵ֖י metey HNcmpc men of men of
← H4961 Hebrew Lexicon H4963 →