מַתָּן (mat.tan)
mat.tan
gift
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun mat.tan refers to gifts or presents, appearing five times in the Hebrew Bible with a focus on tangible items given between people. It is most frequently found in Proverbs, where it often describes bribes or strategic offerings intended to influence outcomes, as seen in Proverbs 18:16 and 19:6.
Its usage extends beyond simple charity to include diplomatic exchanges and familial gestures. In Genesis 32:13, Jacob sends a substantial gift of livestock to his brother Esau, using the term to describe an attempt at reconciliation through material means. The word captures the physical act of giving rather than the abstract concept of generosity.
Translators typically render mat.tan as "gift" or "present," distinguishing it from terms for religious sacrifices or divine grace. Its presence in wisdom literature highlights how gifts can serve social functions, whether to build relationships or to manipulate authority, reflecting the complex dynamics of ancient Near Eastern hospitality and politics.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mat.tan refers to a tangible offering, whether it is a dowry, a diplomatic present, or a strategic gift. In the ancient world, giving was not merely about generosity but also about building bridges and navigating complex social hierarchies. When Jacob sent livestock to Esau, he used this term to seek peace after years of separation, showing that material gifts can sometimes be the first step toward restoring broken relationships.
However, wisdom literature offers a sobering view of how these offerings function in human hearts. Proverbs warns that while a gift may open doors or pacify anger, it can also become a tool for manipulation if given with the wrong motives. The text does not condemn giving itself but highlights the danger of letting material things influence justice or favor.
For your faith life, this word invites reflection on the power and limits of what we give. It reminds us that while gifts can ease tension or show honor, they cannot buy true righteousness or secure a clean conscience. True peace comes from God, not from the exchange of goods, though He may use our generous hands to bring comfort to others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gift/ their1×
- gift1×
- and/ a gift1×
- a gift1×
- [the] gift of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַתָּ֣ן2×
- מַתָּנָ֗/ם1×
- מַתָּֽן\׃1×
- וּ/מַתָּ֔ן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 34:12
Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife.”
This verse uses mat.tan for a dowry, showing how the term applies to formal family agreements and marital commitments rather than simple charity.
-
Proverbs 18:16
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Here the gift is described as making room for a person, illustrating its social function in gaining access to influential people.
-
Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
This occurrence highlights the ethical complexity of gifts, noting that secret offerings can pacify anger but may also cross into bribery.