מַתַּתָּה (mat.tat.tah)
mat.tat.tah
Mattattah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Mattattah, meaning "gift of Jehovah," appears only once in Scripture, recorded in Ezra 10:33. It identifies a man named Mattathah, son of Hashum, who was among the Israelites returning from Babylonian exile.
His mention is brief but significant within the context of Ezra’s reforms. He is listed as one of those who had taken foreign wives and subsequently put them away to align with the community's covenant commitments. The name itself reflects a common theological sentiment of gratitude for divine provision during a period of national restoration.
This single occurrence highlights how personal names in biblical genealogies often carry theological weight, even when the individuals themselves are not central figures. Mattattah’s story is part of a larger narrative about identity and faithfulness among the returned exiles.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mattattah means "gift of Jehovah." It appears only once in the Bible, in Ezra 10:33. This brief mention records a man who returned from exile and took steps to align his life with God’s covenant. Though we know little about him personally, his name reminds us that every person in Scripture’s record holds value.
In our own lives, we often feel like background characters in a large story. Mattattah shows us that faithfulness is not reserved for famous leaders. It includes ordinary people who choose to live according to God’s ways. His inclusion in the genealogy suggests that God sees and remembers those who seek to honor Him.
This name encourages us to view our daily choices as part of a larger divine narrative. Even small acts of obedience contribute to the community’s spiritual health. We are all part of God’s ongoing work, and our names, like Mattattah’s, can carry meaning beyond our immediate circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Mattattah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַתַּתָּה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 10:33
Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
This verse lists Mattattah among those who ended foreign marriages to restore covenant faithfulness within the returned community.