Who was Matred's husband in the Bible?

Matred's husband was Mezahab. He is mentioned only as the grandfather of Mehetabel, who became the wife of an Edomite king named Hadad (Genesis 36:39).

Why is Mezahab, Matred's husband, significant?

His significance comes solely from his family lineage. He is a named ancestor in the genealogy of the Edomite kings, connecting his granddaughter Mehetabel to the royal line (1 Chronicles 1:50).

What key events involve Matred's husband, Mezahab?

The Bible records no events in his life. His only mention is as a genealogical link, identifying him as the father of Matred and grandfather of Queen Mehetabel within the Edomite records.

husband of Matred

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Matred's husband was Mezahab, the grandfather of Mehetabel, who was the wife of an Edomite king.

husband of Matred

Biography

Mezahab, the husband of Matred, is a figure from ancient Edom whose significance derives primarily from his place in the royal genealogy recorded in Genesis 36:39 and 1 Chronicles 1:50. He was an Edomite whose daughter Matred became the mother of Mehetabel, the wife of Hadar (or Hadad), one of the last kings of Edom listed before the narrative of Israel's monarchy. Mezahab's name may relate to the Hebrew phrase meaning 'waters of gold,' though its precise etymology is debated. His placement in the patriarchal era suggests he lived contemporaneously with the early Edomite tribal kings, during the period when Edom was developing its own monarchy prior to Israel's. He represents the Gentile genealogical threads that intersect with the biblical record.

Significance

Mezahab's inclusion in the Edomite king list of Genesis 36 highlights Scripture's comprehensive view of history, that God superintends not only Israel's lineage but also the royal genealogies of neighboring peoples. As the grandfather of Mehetabel, wife of an Edomite king, Mezahab represents a non-Israelite family whose history nonetheless falls within the scope of sacred record. The Edomite genealogies in Genesis 36 serve the theological purpose of demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promise that Esau, like Jacob, would become a great nation (Genesis 25:23), while also providing context for Israel's complex relationship with Edom throughout the rest of Scripture.

Verse Appearances (1)

Genesis

Genesis 36:39

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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