Mattattah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Mattattah is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogical records of the Old Testament. The name "Mattattah" is derived from the Hebrew name "מַתַּתָּה" (Mattattah), which means "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God." This name reflects a common theme in Hebrew culture, where names often signify a divine blessing or attribute.

Biblical References:

Mattattah is mentioned in the context of the post-exilic period, specifically in the book of Ezra. In Ezra 10:33, Mattattah is listed among the sons of Bani who had taken foreign wives, an action that was against the Mosaic Law. The passage reads:

"Of the sons of Hashum: Mattattah, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei." (Ezra 10:33)

This verse is part of a larger narrative where Ezra, a scribe and leader among the returning exiles, calls for repentance and reform among the Israelites who had intermarried with pagan nations. The intermarriage was seen as a threat to the religious and cultural identity of the Israelites, as it often led to the worship of foreign gods and the dilution of the covenantal community.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The return from Babylonian exile was a pivotal moment in Jewish history. The exiles faced the challenge of re-establishing their identity and religious practices in the land of their ancestors. The issue of intermarriage was particularly sensitive, as it was perceived as a direct violation of the covenant with Yahweh. The leaders, including Ezra, sought to purify the community by encouraging those who had married foreign women to separate from them.

Mattattah's inclusion in the list of those who had taken foreign wives highlights the widespread nature of the issue and the communal effort required to address it. The narrative underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the need for communal purity in maintaining a relationship with Yahweh.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the account of Mattattah and others in Ezra 10 serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's laws. It illustrates the tension between cultural assimilation and religious fidelity, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. The call to separate from foreign influences is seen as a call to holiness and dedication to God's covenant.

The account of Mattattah also reflects the broader biblical theme of repentance and restoration. The willingness of the people to confess their sins and take corrective action is a testament to the transformative power of genuine repentance. It serves as an example for believers to prioritize their relationship with God above cultural or personal desires.

Conclusion:

While Mattattah is a relatively minor figure in the biblical narrative, his mention in the book of Ezra provides insight into the challenges faced by the post-exilic community and the enduring call to covenantal faithfulness. His account is a reminder of the ongoing struggle to maintain religious identity in the face of external pressures and the necessity of repentance and reform in the life of faith.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MATTATTAH

mat'-a-ta (mattattah): the Revised Version (British and American) for "Mattathah" in the King James Version (Ezra 10:33). The same as "Mattathias" of 1 Esdras 9:33, the King James Version "Matthias" (which see).

Greek
3160. Mattatha -- Mattatha, an Israelite
... Definition: Mattatha. Word Origin of Hebrew origin Mattattah Definition Mattatha,
an Isr. NASB Word Usage Mattatha (1). Mattatha. Probably ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3160.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
4992. Mattattah -- an Israelite
... Mattattah. 4993 . an Israelite. Transliteration: Mattattah Phonetic Spelling:
(mat-tat-taw') Short Definition: Mattattah. ... NASB Word Usage Mattattah (1). ...
/hebrew/4992.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Mattattah (1 Occurrence)
...MATTATTAH. mat'-a-ta (mattattah): the Revised Version (British and American) for
"Mattathah" in the King James Version (Ezra 10:33). ...Mattattah (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/mattattah.htm - 7k

Mat'tattah (1 Occurrence)
Mat'tattah. Mattattah, Mat'tattah. Mattenai . ... Ezra 10:33 Of the sons of Hashum:
Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. (See RSV). ...
/m/mat'tattah.htm - 6k

Zabad (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Ezra 10:33 Of the sons of Hashum:
Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. ...
/z/zabad.htm - 11k

Jeremai (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jeremai (1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:33 Of the sons of Hashum:
Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. ...
/j/jeremai.htm - 7k

Jer'emai (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jer'emai (1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:33 Of the sons of Hashum:
Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. (See RSV) ...
/j/jer'emai.htm - 6k

Eliph'elet (8 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezra 10:33 Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet,
Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. (See RSV). Eliphelet, Eliph'elet. Eli's . ...
/e/eliph'elet.htm - 8k

Eliphelet (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Ezra 10:33 Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai,
Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. ...
/e/eliphelet.htm - 9k

Mattathi'as (2 Occurrences)
Mattathi'as. Mattathias, Mattathi'as. Mattattah . Multi-Version Concordance
Mattathi'as (2 Occurrences). ... Mattathias, Mattathi'as. Mattattah . Reference ...
/m/mattathi'as.htm - 6k

Matte'nai (3 Occurrences)
... Matte'nai (3 Occurrences). Ezra 10:33 Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah,
Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei. (See RSV). ...
/m/matte'nai.htm - 6k

Mattathias (2 Occurrences)
... (6) One of the sons of Asom who put away his "strange wife" (1 Esdras 9:33) =
the King James Version "Matthias" = "Mattattah" of Ezra 10:33. ...
/m/mattathias.htm - 8k

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Concordance
Mattattah (1 Occurrence)

Ezra 10:33
Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, Shimei.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Mattattah

Related Terms

Mattenai (3 Occurrences)

Mattattah (1 Occurrence)

Mattathias: An Ancestor of Jesus
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