Ματθάτ

Matthat

Definition

Matthat is the Greek form of a Hebrew name, likely derived from 'Mattathiah' meaning 'gift of Yahweh'. In the New Testament, it refers to two distinct ancestors of Jesus Christ listed in his genealogy. The first Matthat is identified as the son of Levi and father of Heli in Luke 3:24, placing him in the line from David to Jesus through Nathan. The second Matthat is the son of Amos and father of Joseph in Luke 3:29, appearing in a later segment of the same genealogy. Both men are part of the long lineage that connects Jesus to King David and ultimately to Abraham, fulfilling Old Testament promises.

Biblical Usage

The name Ματθάτ is used exclusively in the Gospel of Luke, specifically within the genealogy of Jesus presented in Luke 3:23-38. It appears twice, in Luke 3:24 and Luke 3:29, as part of a structured list tracing Jesus's ancestry back to Adam. Its usage is purely onomastic (pertaining to names) and genealogical, serving to establish a historical and legal lineage for Christ. No narrative or dialogue surrounds the name; it functions solely as a connective link in the family tree.

Etymology

Ματθάτ (Matthat) is a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew or Aramaic name. It is a shortened form of the Hebrew name Mattathiah (מַתִּתְיָהוּ, H4993), which means 'gift of Yahweh' (from 'mattath' [gift] and 'Yah' [a shortened form of Yahweh]). This name was common among Jews in the Second Temple period. The Greek form adapts the Semitic sounds into the Greek alphabet, a common practice for personal names in the Septuagint and New Testament.

Semantic Range

While the name Matthat itself is not theologically loaded, its inclusion in Luke's genealogy is theologically significant. It underscores the humanity and historical reality of Jesus as a descendant of David and Abraham (Luke 3:31, 34), confirming his identity as the promised Messiah. The genealogy, which includes many otherwise unknown figures like Matthat, highlights God's faithfulness across generations and His working through ordinary human lineage to bring about salvation. Understanding that these are real historical names enriches the reading by grounding the gospel in actual history.

In first-century Jewish culture, genealogies were of paramount importance for establishing lineage, tribal affiliation, inheritance rights, and, for some, a claim to the Davidic throne. Recording ancestors by name, even those about whom no other details were known, was a way of preserving identity and continuity with God's covenantal promises. The two men named Matthat would have been understood as historical links in the chain connecting the contemporary world to the patriarchs and the creation narrative itself.

There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Other names in the same genealogy with a similar etymological meaning ("gift of God") include: Θεόδωρος (Theodoros, G2321) — a Greek name meaning 'gift of God'; and Ματταθίας (Mattathias, G3161) — the longer, more formal Greek form of the same Hebrew name from which Matthat is derived.

Word Details

Scripture References