מַטְמוֹן (mat.mon)
mat.mon
treasure
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun matmon refers to a hidden treasure or stash of valuables. Unlike open wealth, this word implies something concealed, often buried or kept secret within a house. It appears five times in the Old Testament, primarily in wisdom literature like Proverbs and Job, as well as in Jeremiah.
Its root suggests hiding or concealment, distinguishing it from words for general riches. In Proverbs 21:20, it describes valuable oil and perfume stored away by the wise, contrasting with the foolish who devour their resources. Similarly, Proverbs 8:11 compares wisdom to matmon, emphasizing its superior worth over gold or rubies.
Jeremiah uses the term in a negative context, referring to hidden treasures of wickedness that will be exposed (Jeremiah 50:26). This usage highlights the temporary nature of concealed wealth when divine justice arrives. The word consistently points to assets kept out of sight, whether for safekeeping or deceit.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word matmon describes a treasure kept out of sight, often buried or hidden away. In ancient times, people stored their most valuable possessions in secret places to protect them from thieves or war. This concept helps us understand that true value is not always visible on the surface. It requires effort to find and care for what is truly precious.
Scripture uses this image to show how much greater wisdom is than gold. When we seek understanding with the same intensity as someone digging for hidden coins, we discover something far more enduring. The wise store up knowledge and character, which cannot be stolen or lost like material wealth.
Even when wickedness tries to hide its gains, God brings everything into the light. This reminds us that integrity matters more than secret advantages. We are invited to trust in God’s provision rather than hoarding resources for fear of the future. His wisdom remains a secure and lasting treasure for those who seek it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- treasures1×
- treasure1×
- more than/ hidden treasures1×
- and/ like <the>/ treasures1×
- and/ hidden treasures of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַטְמוֹן֙1×
- מַטְמֹנִים֙1×
- מִ/מַּטְמוֹנִֽים\׃1×
- וּ/מַטְמֻנֵ֖י1×
- וְֽ/כַ/מַּטְמוֹנִ֥ים1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 2:4
if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;
This verse compares seeking wisdom to searching for hidden treasures, emphasizing that spiritual insight requires intense effort and dedication.
-
Job 3:21
who long for death, but it doesn’t come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,
Here the word highlights the desperate longing of those in despair, who value death more than the difficult pursuit of concealed wealth.
-
Jeremiah 41:8
But ten men were found among those who said to Ishmael, “Don’t kill us; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey.” So he stopped, and didn’t kill them among their brothers.
The survivors hide their food supplies to survive, showing how hidden stores can be a matter of life and death in times of crisis.