Lexical Summary matmon: Treasure, hidden treasure Original Word: מַטְמוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hidden riches, hid treasures Or matmon {mat-mone'}; or matmun {mat-moon'}; from taman; a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable (buried); generally money -- hidden riches, (hid) treasure(-s). see HEBREW taman NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom taman Definition hidden treasure, treasure NASB Translation hidden (1), hidden treasures (2), hidden wealth (1), stores (1), treasure (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַטְמוֺן noun masculine hidden treasure, treasure; — absolute מַטְמוֺן Genesis 43:23; plural מַטְמֹנִים Jeremiah 41:8 Proverbs 2:4; מַטְמוֺנִים Job 3:21; construct מַטְמֻנֵי Isaiah 45:3; (hidden) treasure Genesis 43:23 (of money in sacks); מַטְמֻנֵי מִסְתָּרים Isaiah 45:3 (i.e. treasures now hidden in secret places, shall become spoil of Cyrus; "" אוצרות חשׁך), Jeremiah 41:8, appositive חִמִּים שְׁעֹרִים שֶׁמֶן דבשׁ; in comparative Job 3:21 (longing for death more than for treasure), Proverbs 2:4 (wisdom sought for like treasure). טנא (√ of following; Phoenician טנא is set up, erect, also offer, present, according to DHM in MV10, 983). Topical Lexicon Definition and Central Idea מַטְמוֹן (matmon) designates a treasure or valuable hoard deliberately concealed from view. It evokes both material wealth stored for future use and, by extension, spiritual riches that are not immediately apparent but may be uncovered by diligent seekers. Old Testament Distribution and Settings 1. Genesis 43:23 – In Egypt Joseph’s steward tells Joseph’s brothers, “Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks”. Here the hidden treasure is a providential sign of divine favor that defuses the brothers’ fear and foreshadows reconciliation. Theological Themes Hidden Provision: Genesis and Isaiah present matmon as divinely controlled. The concealed sacks of grain and the subterranean riches of conquered nations underline that God can reveal or withhold resources at will. Search and Desire: Job and Proverbs contrast the motives of seekers—one pursues death, the other wisdom. The context clarifies that what one treasures determines one’s destination. Judgment and Mercy: Jeremiah 41:8 shows how hidden supplies can temporarily avert judgment, yet the broader passage reminds readers that mercy without repentance is fragile. Historical Background Ancient Near Eastern societies frequently buried valuables to protect them from marauders or sudden upheaval. Patriarchal travel (Genesis), siege conditions (Jeremiah), and imperial conquests (Isaiah) all fit this practice. Matmon connotes not merely wealth but the anxiety and anticipation surrounding its concealment. Practical and Ministry Implications • Encourage believers to mine Scripture with the persistence commended in Proverbs 2:4, expecting the Spirit to uncover treasures that transform. Christological and New Testament Echoes Jesus’ parable of “the treasure hidden in a field” (Matthew 13:44) echoes matmon imagery, presenting the kingdom of heaven as a concealed but surpassing wealth worth any sacrifice. Colossians 2:3 speaks of Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” aligning with Proverbs 2 and affirming that the fullest revelation of God’s matmon is found in the Lord Himself. Related Concepts • סָגִּין (sagin) – storehouse riches (Isaiah 45:3) Matmon thus calls readers to recognize God-given resources, pursue wisdom relentlessly, and value the hidden riches that point to Christ and His kingdom. Forms and Transliterations וְֽכַמַּטְמוֹנִ֥ים וּמַטְמֻנֵ֖י וכמטמונים ומטמני מִמַּטְמוֹנִֽים׃ מַטְמֹנִים֙ מַטְמוֹן֙ מטמון מטמנים ממטמונים׃ maṭ·mō·nîm maṭ·mō·wn matmOn matmoNim maṭmōnîm maṭmōwn mim·maṭ·mō·w·nîm mimatmoNim mimmaṭmōwnîm ū·maṭ·mu·nê ūmaṭmunê umatmuNei vechammatmoNim wə·ḵam·maṭ·mō·w·nîm wəḵammaṭmōwnîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 43:23 HEB: נָתַ֨ן לָכֶ֤ם מַטְמוֹן֙ בְּאַמְתְּחֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם כַּסְפְּכֶ֖ם NAS: has given you treasure in your sacks; KJV: hath given you treasure in your sacks: INT: of your father has given treasure your sacks your money Job 3:21 Proverbs 2:4 Isaiah 45:3 Jeremiah 41:8 5 Occurrences |