מַטְמוֹן
a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable (buried); generally money
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַטְמוֹן (maṭmôwn) refers to something of great value that is deliberately hidden or stored away, often for safekeeping. Its primary meaning is a secret storehouse or a hidden treasure, specifically valuables like silver, gold, or money that are buried in the ground (Jeremiah 41:8). In a more abstract sense, it can represent something profoundly sought after, like wisdom, which is compared to hidden treasure in Proverbs 2:4. The word also appears in contexts of longing, as in Job 3:21, where it metaphorically describes death as a hidden treasure sought by those in despair.
Biblical Usage
This word is used five times in the Old Testament, primarily in poetic and prophetic books. It appears in narrative (Genesis 43:23, Jeremiah 41:8), wisdom literature (Job 3:21, Proverbs 2:4), and prophecy (Isaiah 45:3). In Genesis 43:23, it refers concretely to returned payment money. In Jeremiah 41:8, it describes hidden riches discovered by Ishmael. Its usage in Proverbs 2:4 and Isaiah 45:3 is more metaphorical, comparing the search for wisdom or God's revealed riches to seeking hidden treasure. Job 3:21 uses it uniquely to depict death as a concealed object of desire for the suffering.
Etymology
The word derives from the root טמן (ṭāman, H2934), meaning 'to hide, conceal, or bury.' This root directly informs its core meaning of something secreted away. The noun appears in three variant spellings (מַטְמוֹן, מַטְמֹן, מַטְמֻן), all carrying the same essential meaning. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, also relate to hiding or storing, confirming this core concept.
Semantic Range
מַטְמוֹן carries significant theological weight. It illustrates key biblical concepts: the supreme value of divine wisdom (Proverbs 2:4) and the hidden riches of knowing God, which He sovereignly reveals (Isaiah 45:3). It underscores that God's truth and blessings are not always superficially apparent but require diligent, faithful seeking. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the contrast between earthly, buried treasure and the spiritual treasures of God's kingdom, which are of eternal worth.
In the ancient Near East, before modern banking, burying valuables was a common method of securing wealth from theft, war, or disaster. A מַטְמוֹן was thus a private, secret hoard, often known only to its owner. This practice makes the biblical metaphors instantly understandable: just as one would diligently dig for buried money, one should passionately seek wisdom and God. The concept differs from a public treasury; it implies personal, hidden wealth.
אוֹצָר (ʾôṣār, H214) — A general term for treasure, storehouse, or treasury, often more public or institutional than a hidden personal hoard. כֶּסֶף (keseph, H3701) — Specifically 'silver' or 'money,' a common component of a מַטְמוֹן but not implying the act of concealment.
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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