Who was Matred in the Bible?

Matred was the mother of Mehetabel, who became the wife of King Hadar (also called Hadad), one of the last kings of Edom. She is mentioned only in the genealogical records of the Edomites (Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:50).

Why is Matred mentioned in the Bible?

Matred is included to establish the royal lineage and family connections of the Edomite kings, showing the intermarriages that shaped their leadership. Her mention highlights the detailed historical records the Bible preserves for neighboring nations descended from Esau.

What was Matred's significance?

Her significance lies in her role as a matriarch in Edom's royal family, connecting her daughter Mehetabel to King Hadar. This places her within the broader biblical narrative of the Edomites, who were descendants of Esau and often in conflict with Israel.

Matred

Old TestamentPatriarchsFemaleKingWifeMother

Matred was the mother of Mehetabel, who was the wife of Hadar, king of Edom (Gen.36.39; 1Ch.1.50).

Matred

Biography

Matred was a woman of the Edomite aristocracy, identified in Scripture as the mother of Mehetabel and the mother-in-law of Hadar (also called Hadad), one of the final kings to reign over Edom before the establishment of the Israelite monarchy (Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:50). Matred's name, possibly meaning "pushing forward" or "expulsion," is of uncertain etymology. She is further identified as the daughter of Mezahab, suggesting a lineage of some standing within Edomite society. The inclusion of Matred's maternal line in the royal genealogy is unusual in ancient Near Eastern records and indicates that her family connections contributed to the legitimacy of Hadar's reign. Her mention places her within the broader context of Esau's descendants and their political structures.

Significance

Matred's appearance in Scripture, though brief, carries significance for understanding the political and social structures of ancient Edom. The fact that both her name and her father Mezahab's name are recorded in connection with the Edomite king list suggests that maternal lineage played a meaningful role in establishing royal legitimacy in Edom. Theologically, the careful recording of Edomite genealogies in Genesis 36 reflects God's providential ordering of nations descended from Abraham's family. The Edomite king list demonstrates that while God's covenant promises flowed through Jacob, Esau's line also prospered and developed organized governance, fulfilling Isaac's blessing that Esau would live by the sword and eventually break free (Genesis 27:40).

Authority Records

Wikidata

MotherMe-zahabChildMehetabel

Verse Appearances (2)

Genesis

Genesis 36:39

1Chr

1Chr 1:50

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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