מַתָּן
𐤌𐤕𐤍
Matan
H4977 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun referring to (1) a priest of Baal in the incident concerning the reign of Athaliah (2 Kings 11:18; 2 Chronicles 23:17), and (2) an Israelite in post-exilic Jerusalem, listed among those who had married foreign women (Ezra 10:33). The name is derived from the Hebrew noun meaning 'gift' or 'present', and thus likely denotes 'Gift' or 'Gift of (a deity)'. In its lexical use as a common noun (מַתָּן, matan), the word means 'gift' or 'offering.' As a proper name, it could express parental gratitude or devotional intention, common in theophoric and other given names of ancient Israel and neighboring cultures.
Semantic Range
gift, present, offering (as common noun); proper name: Mattan
Root / Etymology
From the root נ-ת-ן (נתן), meaning 'to give.' The form מַתָּן is a noun meaning 'gift,' and as a proper noun, retained as a personal name. The root נ-ת-ן consistently carries the sense of giving, granting, or bestowing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מַתָּן as a personal name appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, notably in distinct historical contexts—first, as the name of a Baal priest killed during the religious reform under Jehoiada (monarchic period), and secondly, as an Israelite during the post-exilic period. While English translations standardly use 'Mattan,' the derivation from 'gift' would have been transparent to ancient Hebrew speakers. The use of such a proper name parallels other personal names in Hebrew and cognate languages (cf. אלישבע, נתנאל) that express an offering or gift, sometimes with an explicit deity referenced. In the case of the Baal priest, the name may reflect devotion to Baal; in Israelite/Judahite contexts, it lacks explicit theophoric suffixes, allowing for both secular and religious understanding. The term is distinct from related names like מתניה (Mattaniah, 'gift of YHWH'), which clarifies the divine recipient in theophoric formation. The meaning and connotations of מַתָּן are consistent across periods, but caution is needed not to conflate this early Israelite and Judahite name with later Judean or Jewish usage; in post-biblical Hebrew, the word continues to mean 'gift.' 'Mattan' is not to be confused with 'Mattathias' or other Greek/Aramaic cognates. English translation as 'Mattan' preserves the Hebrew phonology but obscures the underlying meaning, and no significant semantic shift is attested between uses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as מַתָּן; Mattan, the name of a priest of Baal, and of an Israelite; Mattan.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נתן (n-t-n) — to give, grant, bestow
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3129 | יוֹנָתָן | in Yahweh-has-given |
| H4976 | מַתָּן | Mattan |
| H4978 | מַתְּנָא | gifts |
| H4979 | מַתָּנָה | with their gifts |
| H4980 | מַתָּנָה | Gift-place |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4977-01 |
מַתָּן֙ | matan | HNp |
Mattan | Gift | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4977-01 |
2 Kings 11:18 | מַתָּן֙ | matan | HNp |
Mattan | Gift |
H4977-01 |
Jeremiah 38:1 | מַתָּ֗ן | matan | HNp |
Mattan | Gift |
H4977-01 |
2 Chronicles 23:17 | מַתָּן֙ | matan | HNp |
Mattan | Gift |