Who was Mattatha in the Bible?

Mattatha was an ancestor of Jesus Christ, listed in the genealogy of Jesus through the line of his mother Mary. He is mentioned only once in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:31).

Why is Mattatha important in the Bible?

Mattatha is significant because he is a direct link in the lineage from King David to Jesus Christ, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would come from David's line. His inclusion establishes Jesus's legal and royal right to the throne of David (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

What do we know about Mattatha's life?

The Bible provides no details about the events of Mattatha's life. His sole mention is as a name in the genealogy, serving to connect the generations between David and Jesus (Luke 3:23-31).

Mattatha

New TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon of nathan

Mattatha was an ancestor of Jesus Christ, mentioned in His genealogy (Luk.3.31).

Mattatha

Biography

Mattatha was a descendant of King David through his son Nathan, listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded by the evangelist Luke (Luke 3:31). He appears as the son of Nathan and the father of Menna in the lineage that traces Jesus' ancestry from David through a non-royal line, distinct from the kingly succession through Solomon recorded in Matthew's Gospel. Mattatha lived during or shortly after the era of the united monarchy, though no narrative details of his life are preserved in Scripture. His name, meaning "gift of God," reflects the theophoric naming conventions common in Israelite families. As a grandson of David, Mattatha occupied a position of honor within the royal family even though his branch did not inherit the throne.

Significance

Mattatha holds quiet but essential significance in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan as a link in the genealogical chain connecting King David to Jesus of Nazareth. Luke's decision to trace Jesus' lineage through Nathan rather than Solomon carries theological weight: it demonstrates that the messianic promise to David's house was not confined to the reigning dynasty but encompassed David's broader family. Mattatha's inclusion in this alternative royal line ensures the fulfillment of God's covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) through a lineage untainted by the apostasy and divine judgments that plagued Solomon's royal descendants. His presence in the genealogy affirms that God preserves His promises across generations through ordinary, faithful individuals.

Verse Appearances (1)

Luke

Luke 3:31

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]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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