Ματταθίας (Mattathias)
Mattathias
Mattathias
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Mattathias appears only twice in the New Testament, both times within the genealogy of Jesus recorded in Luke 3:25-26. It identifies a specific ancestor in the long lineage tracing back to David and Abraham, serving as a link between two other figures named Mattathias in the family tree.
Etymologically, the name derives from Hebrew, meaning "gift of Jehovah." This translation reflects a common pattern in Jewish naming traditions, where personal names often express gratitude or devotion to God. In this context, it marks one individual among many whose lives are recorded not for dramatic deeds, but for their place in the ancestral line that leads to Christ.
While the name itself carries theological weight through its meaning, its primary function in Scripture is genealogical. It demonstrates the careful preservation of family records, affirming Jesus’ human heritage without adding narrative detail about this particular ancestor’s life or character.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mattathias means "gift of Jehovah." In Luke’s genealogy, it appears twice among many ancestors who lived long before Jesus was born. These records show that God values every person in the line of Christ, not just the famous ones.
Even though we know little about this specific Mattathias, his name reminds us that our faith is built on a real history. It shows that God works through ordinary families and generations. This continuity gives confidence that Jesus truly shares our human nature.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Mattathias2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ματταθίου2×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:25
the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
This occurrence places Mattathias as the son of Amos, linking the line from David toward Abraham.
-
Luke 3:26
the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
Here he is listed as the son of Maath, showing his position in the later part of the genealogy leading to Joseph.