מַתְּנָא
Definition
The Aramaic noun מַתְּנָא (mattᵉnâʼ) means 'gift' or 'present,' specifically referring to a tangible offering given from one person to another. In the book of Daniel, it consistently denotes a reward or bestowal from a king. In Daniel 2:6 and 2:48, it is the 'gifts and rewards' promised by King Nebuchadnezzar to the wise men who could interpret his dream, and later given to Daniel himself. In Daniel 5:17, Daniel refuses King Belshazzar's promised 'gifts,' showing his integrity and that his service is not for material gain.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel (Daniel 2-7). All three occurrences are in royal contexts, where a Babylonian king offers lavish gifts as a reward for service or interpretation of dreams and signs. The pattern shows it is a formal, kingly bestowal, not an informal present.
Etymology
מַתְּנָא is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew noun מַתָּנָה (mattānâ, H4979), both meaning 'gift.' Both derive from the verbal root נָתַן (nāthan, H5414), meaning 'to give.' The Aramaic form reflects the linguistic context of the Babylonian court where the stories in Daniel are set.
Semantic Range
While the word itself simply means 'gift,' its use in Daniel highlights themes of divine versus human reward. Daniel's refusal of Belshazzar's gifts (Daniel 5:17) contrasts with his acceptance of God's gifts of wisdom and interpretation. It underscores that true insight and authority come from God, not from earthly kings or their rewards, pointing to the sovereignty of God even in a pagan court.
In the ancient Near East, gifts from a king were not merely generous presents but were part of a patronage system, creating obligations and signaling honor and social elevation. Refusing such a gift, as Daniel does, was a significant and potentially dangerous act of independence, showing his primary allegiance was to God, not the royal court.
מַתָּנָה (mattānâ, H4979) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, used more broadly throughout the Old Testament for gifts between people or from God. שַׁלְמָן (shalmān, H7964) — A reward or recompense, often with a sense of payment or requital. אֶשְׁכָּר (ʾeshkār, H793) — A gift, specifically a hire or wages.
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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