Ματταθά (Mattatha)
Mattatha
Mattatha
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Mattatha appears only once in the New Testament, recorded as an ancestor of Jesus in Luke’s genealogy (Luke 3:31). It is a proper noun with no independent verb or adjective usage, serving strictly to identify this specific figure in the lineage leading to Christ.
Its meaning derives directly from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, which translates to "gift of Yahweh" or "givingness." The Greek form represents a transliteration of this Semitic original, preserving the sense of divine gift within the historical record. As a single occurrence in Scripture, it highlights the inclusion of lesser-known names in the long chain of generations that Matthew and Luke both trace back to David.
While the name itself carries no unique theological instruction beyond its meaning as a gift from God, its presence underscores the continuity of God’s promises through many generations. It reminds readers that Jesus’ human ancestry includes individuals whose stories are not detailed in the biblical narrative, yet who played a vital role in the fulfillment of prophecy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mattatha appears only once in the New Testament, listed as an ancestor of Jesus in Luke’s genealogy. Its meaning, "gift of Yahweh," reminds us that every person in this long line was a unique gift from God. Though we do not know their personal stories, their lives were part of God’s faithful plan to bring salvation into the world.
This single mention encourages us by showing that God values each individual, even those whose names are rarely spoken today. It highlights the continuity of His promises through generations, connecting Jesus directly to David and back further. We can trust that God is at work in every life, weaving together history to fulfill His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Mattatha1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ματταθὰ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:31
the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
This verse places Mattatha in the lineage between Nathan and Menan, confirming his role as a link in Jesus' ancestral chain.