מַתַּת (mat.tat)
mat.tat
gift
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun matat denotes a gift or reward, appearing in three verses across Proverbs, 1 Kings, and Ecclesiastes. It describes something given freely, often as an incentive or acknowledgment of value rather than a debt owed. In these contexts, the word bridges the concepts of a present and a wage, highlighting how gifts can function as motivators for behavior.
Its usage reveals a social dynamic where giving serves to influence outcomes. For instance, in Proverbs 18:16, a gift opens doors before the great, acting as a key to access. Similarly, 1 Kings 10:25 records gifts brought to Solomon by various peoples, underscoring its role in diplomacy and tribute. The term captures the tangible nature of these exchanges, whether they are acts of generosity or strategic offerings.
Unlike words that strictly mean "wages" for labor, matat retains a sense of voluntary bestowal, even when it functions as a reward. This distinction allows it to cover a range of interactions, from personal favors to state-level tributes. The word’s brevity reflects the directness of the exchange: something given to achieve a specific result or honor a relationship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word matat describes a gift given freely, not as a debt owed but as an act of grace or influence. It bridges the gap between a present and a reward, showing how tangible offerings can open doors or acknowledge value. In Proverbs 18:16, we see this dynamic clearly: a gift acts as a key before great men, smoothing social paths through generosity rather than force.
Yet Scripture also warns against using gifts deceptively. Proverbs 25:14 compares empty boasts to clouds that bring no rain, reminding us that true value lies in sincerity. When we give, we participate in a language of relationship that transcends mere transaction. Whether it is a tribute to a king or a simple act of kindness, the heart behind the gift matters most.
Ultimately, all good things flow from God. Ecclesiastes 3:13 reminds us that even the ability to enjoy our labor is itself a gift from Him. This perspective shifts our focus from what we can extract to what we can receive and share with gratitude.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ a gift of1×
- a gift1×
- [is] a gift of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַתָּֽת\׃1×
- מַתַּ֥ת1×
- בְּ/מַתַּת\־1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 3:13
Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
Here the word identifies joy and sustenance not as earned wages but as direct gifts from God, grounding contentment in divine grace.
-
Proverbs 25:14
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
The text uses matat to warn against empty promises, comparing boastful gift-givers to clouds that fail to produce rain.