Mattatha
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Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Mattatha" is of Hebrew origin, derived from the root "mattan," meaning "gift" or "gift of God." This name reflects a common theme in Hebrew nomenclature, where names often express gratitude or acknowledgment of divine favor.

Biblical References:
Mattatha is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Specifically, Mattatha appears in Luke 3:31, which traces the lineage of Jesus through David's son Nathan, rather than Solomon, as seen in Matthew's genealogy. The Berean Standard Bible renders this passage as follows: "the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David."

Genealogical Context:
In the genealogy presented by Luke, Mattatha is situated several generations after King David, highlighting the diverse and often unexpected paths through which God's promises are fulfilled. The inclusion of Mattatha in this lineage underscores the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty in orchestrating history and fulfilling His covenant promises through various family lines.

Theological Significance:
The genealogy in Luke, including the mention of Mattatha, serves to affirm Jesus' rightful place in the Davidic line, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. By tracing Jesus' lineage through Nathan, Luke emphasizes Jesus' legal and spiritual heritage, distinct from the royal line through Solomon. This highlights the multifaceted nature of Jesus' messianic qualifications, encompassing both kingly and prophetic dimensions.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The genealogies in the Gospels reflect the Jewish tradition of meticulously preserving family histories, which were crucial for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and tribal affiliations. Mattatha's inclusion in this genealogy, though not elaborated upon in other biblical texts, signifies the importance of every individual in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Interpretative Insights:
From a conservative Christian perspective, the mention of Mattatha, though brief, is a testament to the faithfulness of God in preserving the lineage through which the Savior would come. It serves as a reminder of the intricate and often hidden ways in which God works through history and individuals to accomplish His purposes.

Conclusion:
While Mattatha is a relatively obscure figure in the biblical narrative, his presence in the genealogy of Jesus as recorded in Luke underscores the comprehensive and inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan. Each name in the genealogy, including Mattatha, contributes to the tapestry of salvation history, pointing ultimately to the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Mattatha

his gift

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MATTATHA

mat'-a-tha (Mattatha): Son of Nathan the son of David in the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:31).

Greek
3160. Mattatha -- Mattatha, an Israelite
... 3159, 3160. Mattatha. 3161 . Mattatha, an Israelite. Part of Speech:
Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Mattatha Phonetic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3160.htm - 6k
Library

C. The Genealogy of Jesus. Ch. 3:23-38
... son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of
Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the genealogy of jesus.htm

Genealogy According to Luke.
... son of Symeon, the son of Judas, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of
Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iv genealogy according to luke.htm

Thesaurus
Mattatha (1 Occurrence)
...MATTATHA. mat'-a-tha (Mattatha): Son of Nathan the son of David in the genealogy
of Jesus (Luke 3:31). Multi-Version Concordance Mattatha (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/mattatha.htm - 6k

Mat'tatha (1 Occurrence)
Mat'tatha. Mattatha, Mat'tatha. Mattathah . ... Luke 3:31 the 'son' of Melea, the
'son' of Mainan, the 'son' of Mattatha, the 'son' of Nathan, (See RSV). ...
/m/mat'tatha.htm - 6k

Mattani'ah (16 Occurrences)
Mattani'ah. Mattaniah, Mattani'ah. Mattatha . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). Mattaniah, Mattani'ah. Mattatha . Reference Bible.
/m/mattani'ah.htm - 10k

Meleas (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Meleas (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:31 of Meleas,
of Menan, of Mattatha, of Nathan, of David, (DBY). ...
/m/meleas.htm - 6k

Menna (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Menna (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:31 Melea, son of Menna, son
of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, (WEY ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/menna.htm - 7k

Me'le-a (1 Occurrence)
... Me'le-a (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son
of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, (See RSV). ...
/m/me'le-a.htm - 6k

Menan (1 Occurrence)
... Menan (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha,
the son of Nathan, the son of David, (WEB KJV DBY WBS). ...
/m/menan.htm - 6k

Mainan (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mainan (1 Occurrence). Luke 3:31 the 'son' of Melea, the
'son' of Mainan, the 'son' of Mattatha, the 'son' of Nathan, (YLT). ...
/m/mainan.htm - 6k

Melea (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,
the son of David, (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/m/melea.htm - 7k

Nathan (42 Occurrences)
... Luke 3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,
the son of David, (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/n/nathan.htm - 29k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Mattatha (1 Occurrence)

Luke 3:31
the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Mattatha

Mattatha: An Ancestor of Jesus

Related Terms

Mattatha (1 Occurrence)

Mattathah (1 Occurrence)

Mattaniah: Son of Heman, Who had Charge of the Ninth Division of Musicians
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