3157. Matthan

Lexical Summary

Matthan: Matthan

Original Word: Ματθάν
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Matthan
Pronunciation: mat-than'
Phonetic Spelling: (mat-than')
KJV: Matthan
NASB: Matthan
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H4977 (מַתּתָּן - Mattan))]

1. Matthan (i.e. Mattan), an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Matthan.

Of Hebrew origin (Mattan); Matthan (i.e. Mattan), an Israelite -- Matthan.

see HEBREW Mattan

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Mattan
Definition
Matthan, an Isr.
NASB Translation
Matthan (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3157: Ματθάν

Ματθάν (L T Tr WH Μαθθάν (see references under the word Ματθαῖος)), ὁ (מַתָּן a gift), Matthan, one of Christ's ancestors: Matthew 1:15.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Matthan (Ματθάν, Strong’s Greek 3157) is a post-exilic descendant of King David listed in the legal genealogy of Jesus Christ recorded in Matthew 1. Though mentioned only twice—both times in Matthew 1:15—his inclusion is pivotal for linking the royal line through Joseph to the promised Messiah.

Textual Occurrences

Matthew 1:15: “Eleazar was the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob.”

The two occurrences are simply the accented forms Ματθά ν and Ματθὰ ν within the same verse.

Genealogical Role

1. Position: Matthan is the son of Eleazar and the father of Jacob, who in turn fathered Joseph, the legal guardian of Jesus (Matthew 1:15–16).
2. Placement in Matthew’s structure: He appears in the third set of fourteen generations (Matthew 1:17), helping Matthew present a symmetrical lineage that highlights divine order in salvation history.
3. Davidic continuity: By standing only two generations before Joseph, Matthan serves as a crucial conduit through whom the royal promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) is preserved until its fulfillment in Christ.

Historical Setting Between the Testaments

Matthan lived during the closing centuries of the so-called “silent years,” after the prophetic ministry of Malachi and before the advent of John the Baptist. This period was marked by foreign domination—Persian, Greek, and finally Roman—but also by an intensifying hope for Messianic deliverance. His presence in the genealogy confirms that even when prophecy temporarily ceased, God’s covenant line remained unbroken.

Theological Implications

1. Providence over obscurity: Scripture names Matthan once, yet that solitary mention is essential for demonstrating the legitimacy of Jesus’ royal credentials. God’s redemptive plan relies on both celebrated heroes and little-known faithful.
2. Fulfillment of covenant promises: By tracing Jesus through Matthan back to Abraham and David, Matthew shows that God’s pledges concerning land, blessing, and kingship are honored in Christ (Genesis 12:3; Psalm 89:3-4).
3. Post-exilic faithfulness: Matthan represents the remnant who maintained covenant identity after exile, countering any claim that the promises were voided by Israel’s dispersion.

Significance for Christian Ministry

• Encouragement for ordinary believers: Matthan’s brief biblical footprint reminds servants of God that hidden faithfulness matters eternally.
• Legitimacy of Christ’s mission: Preachers and teachers can appeal to Matthan’s place in the genealogy when defending the historicity of Jesus’ Davidic lineage.
• Call to generational discipleship: Parents and leaders are urged to steward faith so that future generations—like Jacob and Joseph after Matthan—carry forward God’s purposes.

Intertextual Connections

• Numbers 1:18 shows Israel tracing lineage by ancestral houses; Matthew mirrors this practice, situating Matthan within sacred history.
• Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 list post-exilic families, paralleling the era in which Matthan lived and illustrating the recovery of covenant identity.
• Luke 3 offers a biological genealogy through Nathan, son of David; Matthew’s legal line through Solomon and Matthan complements Luke, together affirming both natural and royal claims for Jesus.

Faith Applications

1. Trust in God’s quiet governance: Even during “silent” centuries, God advanced His plan through unnoticed individuals like Matthan.
2. Value of heritage: Believers should honor the spiritual legacies handed down to them and strive to leave a godly heritage in turn.
3. Assurance of Scripture’s reliability: The precise preservation of names such as Matthan underscores the meticulous fidelity of the biblical record.

Summary

Though occupying only a single verse, Matthan stands as an indispensable link in the chain that culminates in Jesus Christ. His appearance confirms God’s unwavering control of history, highlights the importance of covenant continuity, and challenges modern readers to live faithfully regardless of public acclaim.

Forms and Transliterations

Μαθθαν Μαθθάν Μαθθὰν Ματθάν Ματθὰν Matthan Matthán Matthàn

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 1:15 N
GRK: ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ματθάν Ματθὰν δὲ
KJV: Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan
INT: was father of Matthan Matthan moreover

Matthew 1:15 N
GRK: τὸν Ματθάν Ματθὰν δὲ ἐγέννησεν
KJV: Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
INT: Matthan Matthan moreover was father of

Strong's Greek 3157
2 Occurrences

Ματθάν — 2 Occ.