מַת
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַת (math) primarily refers to a 'man' or 'adult male,' but its core nuance is that of a mature, grown person, often implying someone of full stature or capability. It is almost exclusively used in the plural form (מְתִים, methim), referring to a group of men or people. In some contexts, it emphasizes the small number of such individuals, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:27 and 28:62, where it is translated as 'few persons.' In other passages, like Deuteronomy 26:5, it simply denotes 'men' or 'people' in a general sense, describing the patriarchal ancestors.
Biblical Usage
This word appears 21 times, predominantly in the Pentateuch (especially Deuteronomy) and in poetic or historical books like 1 Chronicles and Psalms. It is often used in contexts of population, either to describe a small, vulnerable group (Deuteronomy 4:27) or to count people in military conquests (Deuteronomy 2:34; 3:6). A key pattern is its use in solemn declarations about Israel's size and destiny, contrasting their fewness with God's promises or judgments.
Etymology
מַת derives from the root מ-ת-ה (m-t-h), related to the idea of extending or reaching. It is connected to the word מָתַי (mathay, H4970), meaning 'when?'—a temporal word implying a point reached in time. This suggests an etymological link between reaching a point (in time or growth) and being a full-grown adult. The noun thus carries the inherent sense of having attained maturity or full length.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant in passages about God's covenant people. Its use to describe Israel as 'few in number' (Deuteronomy 26:5; 28:62) highlights themes of divine election and sustenance—God choosing and preserving a small group to fulfill His promises. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by emphasizing Israel's vulnerability and dependence on God, contrasting human smallness with divine faithfulness in salvation history.
In its ancient Near Eastern setting, מַת as a 'man' or 'adult' carried connotations of social and military capability. A group of מְתִים represented the able-bodied male population essential for a community's defense and continuity. The emphasis on 'few persons' would have resonated deeply in a culture where numerical strength was equated with security and blessing, making declarations of fewness a stark reminder of fragility or judgment.
אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — A more common, general term for 'man,' individual, or husband, without the specific nuance of maturity or fewness. אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — Humanity or mankind as a species; often has a collective or generic sense. גֶּבֶר (gever, H1397) — A man with emphasis on strength or virility; often used for warriors or men in their prime.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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