Strong's Lexicon mattara or mattarah: Target, mark, guard, prison Original Word: מַטָּרָא Word Origin: Derived from the root נָטַר (natar), meaning "to guard" or "to watch." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G4649: σκοπός (skopos) - meaning "mark" or "goal" - G5087: τίθημι (tithēmi) - meaning "to set" or "to place" Usage: The Hebrew word "mattara" primarily refers to a target or mark, often used in the context of aiming or focusing on a specific point. It can also denote a place of confinement or a guard post, indicating a location that is watched or protected. The term is used metaphorically to describe goals or objectives, as well as literal places of imprisonment. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, the concept of a "target" or "mark" was significant in both military and civilian life. Archery and other forms of projectile weaponry required precision and focus, making the idea of a target central to training and warfare. Additionally, the notion of guarding or watching over something was crucial in a society where cities and valuable assets needed protection from external threats. The dual meaning of "mattara" as both a target and a place of confinement reflects the broader cultural emphasis on vigilance and security. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom natar Definition a guard, ward, prison, target, mark NASB Translation guard (6), guardhouse (7), target (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַטָּרָה and (Lamentations 3:12) מַטָּרָא noun feminine 1. guard, ward, prison Nehemiah 3:25. 2 target, mark (as kept in the eye, watched, compare נָצַר Proverbs 23:26, and σκόπος (watcher, mark) from σκέπτομαι; perhaps Nabataean [רתא]מט Lzb323); — always absolute: — 1 guard, ward, prison, usually ׳חֲצַר הַמּ court of gaurd (see I. ׳חָצֵ) Jeremiah 32:2,8,12; Jeremiah 33:1; Jeremiah 37:21 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 38:6,13,28; Jeremiah 39:14,15; ׳שַׁעַר הַמּ Nehemiah 12:39. 2 target, mark Job 16:12 (figurative of ׳יs chastisement), כַּמַּטָּרָא לַחֵץ Lamentations 3:12 (simile id.); literally only 1 Samuel 20:20. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mark, prison Or mattarah {mat-taw-raw'}; from natar; a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched) -- mark, prison. see HEBREW natar Forms and Transliterations הַמַּטָּרָ֑ה הַמַּטָּרָ֔ה הַמַּטָּרָ֖ה הַמַּטָּרָ֗ה הַמַּטָּרָֽה׃ הַמַּטָּרָה֒ המטרה המטרה׃ כַּמַּטָּרָ֖א כמטרא לְמַטָּרָֽה׃ למטרה׃ ham·maṭ·ṭā·rāh hammattaRah hammaṭṭārāh kam·maṭ·ṭā·rā kammattaRa kammaṭṭārā lə·maṭ·ṭā·rāh lemattaRah ləmaṭṭārāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 20:20 HEB: לְשַֽׁלַּֽח־ לִ֖י לְמַטָּרָֽה׃ NAS: as though I shot at a target. KJV: [thereof], as though I shot at a mark. INT: will shoot shot A target Nehemiah 3:25 Nehemiah 12:39 Job 16:12 Jeremiah 32:2 Jeremiah 32:8 Jeremiah 32:12 Jeremiah 33:1 Jeremiah 37:21 Jeremiah 37:21 Jeremiah 38:6 Jeremiah 38:13 Jeremiah 38:28 Jeremiah 39:14 Jeremiah 39:15 Lamentations 3:12 16 Occurrences |