מַטֶּה (mat.teh)
mat.teh
tribe: rod
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 169 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun matteh carries a dual meaning that bridges the physical and the social: it refers to both a wooden rod or staff and, by extension, a tribe. Derived from a root meaning "to stretch out," the word originally described a branch extending from a tree. This imagery of growth and connection allowed ancient Israelites to use the same term for a clan or family group, visualizing the community as a single living organism with multiple branches.
In Scripture, the physical sense appears in vivid narratives, such as Moses’ staff turning into a serpent in Exodus 4:3 or being used to strike the Nile. The word also denotes instruments of authority or discipline, ranging from a king’s scepter to a rod of correction. This concrete object becomes a powerful metaphor for governance and judgment, linking the leader’s power directly to the people’s well-being.
The tribal usage is particularly significant in the books of Numbers and Joshua, where matteh identifies each of the twelve clans of Israel. Here, the word emphasizes that these groups are not merely administrative units but distinct lineages with their own leaders and identities. The term captures a unique blend of organic growth and structured leadership, reflecting how ancient Israel understood its own composition as both a family and a nation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word matteh carries a beautiful dual meaning that connects physical objects with human community. On one hand, it describes a wooden rod or staff, an instrument of leadership and divine power seen in Moses’ hands during the plagues. On the other hand, it refers to a tribe, visualizing a family line as a branch growing from a larger tree. This imagery reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves, connected by shared history and purpose.
In your daily life, this word invites you to consider how you exercise authority and how you belong to others. Whether you are leading a team or supporting a family, the rod suggests guidance rather than force. The tribal sense reminds us that our identity is rooted in connection. God often uses simple, tangible things to reveal deep spiritual truths about community and care.
When you face decisions about leadership or belonging, remember that true strength comes from serving others. Just as the staff guided the people through difficult times, your actions can provide stability for those around you. This word encourages a faith that is both grounded in reality and open to God’s larger plan for His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 169 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] tribe of38×
- of/ [the] tribe of27×
- for/ [the] tribe of17×
- and/ from/ [the] tribe of15×
- the/ tribes10×
- from/ [the] tribe of8×
- and/ of/ [the] tribe of7×
- the/ tribe6×
- to/ [the] tribe of5×
- to the/ tribe5×
- [the] tribes of5×
- [the] staff of5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/מַטֵּ֣ה29×
- מַטֵּ֥ה14×
- מַטֵּ֣ה14×
- לְ/מַטֵּ֥ה11×
- מַטֵּ֖ה9×
- וּ/לְ/מַטֵּ֥ה6×
- הַ/מַּטּ֖וֹת6×
- לְ/מַטֵּה\־5×
- וּ/מִ/מַּטֵּ֣ה5×
- מַטֵּֽה\־4×
- מַטֵּה\־3×
- מַטֵּ֨ה3×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 4:2
Yahweh said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”
This verse introduces the rod as a simple object in Moses' hand, which God uses to demonstrate His power through transformation.
-
Exodus 7:10
Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as Yahweh had commanded. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Aaron’s rod becoming a serpent before Pharaoh serves as a public sign of Yahweh’s authority over the gods of Egypt.
-
Exodus 31:2
“Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
Here matteh identifies Bezalel’s tribal lineage, showing how the word distinguishes specific family groups within Israel's structure.