מַטָּע

something planted, i.e. the place (a garden or vineyard), or the thing (a plant, figuratively or men); by implication

Definition

The Hebrew noun מַטָּע (maṭṭâʻ) refers fundamentally to 'something planted.' It can denote the physical place of planting, such as a garden or vineyard, as seen in Ezekiel 31:4 where it describes the well-watered 'plantation' of the great cedar. It also refers to the planted thing itself, whether a literal plant or a figurative planting of people, as in Isaiah 60:21 where God's people are called 'the branch of my planting.' By extension, the word can imply the very act of planting. This range of meaning—place, product, and process—makes it a rich term for describing both agricultural and spiritual cultivation.

Biblical Usage

מַטָּע is used six times in the Old Testament, primarily in the prophetic books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Micah. It appears in contexts of judgment and restoration. In judgment, it describes cultivated places ruined by God's wrath (Micah 1:6) or a failed, dependent planting (Ezekiel 17:7). In restoration prophecies, it describes God's faithful people as His secure and glorious planting (Isaiah 60:21; 61:3; Ezekiel 34:29). The usage thus contrasts human vulnerability with divine, faithful cultivation.

Etymology

מַטָּע is a noun derived from the root נָטַע (nāṭaʻ, H5193), meaning 'to plant, fix, establish.' This root is common in Semitic languages for planting. The noun form מַטָּע specifically denotes the result or object of the planting action. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar agricultural meanings, underscoring its fundamental connection to cultivation and settlement.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it is used by the prophets to describe God's relationship with His people. They are not a random growth but His intentional 'planting' (Isaiah 60:21), which implies His ownership, care, and purpose for them. This metaphor enriches the understanding of God as the divine gardener who cultivates a people for His glory, promising their security and fruitfulness when rooted in Him, in contrast to the withering of prideful, independent 'plantings' (Ezekiel 31:4-7).

In an agrarian society, planting was a primary act of investment, settlement, and hope for future provision. A מַטָּע represented established, cultivated land as opposed to wilderness. Its ruin (Micah 1:6) symbolized total societal collapse. Understanding this deep cultural connection to land and cultivation illuminates the prophetic metaphors, where God's people are portrayed as His precious, tended vineyard or garden.

נֶטַע (neṭaʻ, H5194) — A more common word for a plant, sapling, or young tree; focuses on the living plant itself. כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754) — Specifically a vineyard; a type of planted place. גַּן (gan, H1588) — A garden; an enclosed, cultivated plot.

Word Details

Scripture References