מַטֶּה
mat.teh
tribe: rod
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word "mat.teh" (H4294H) is a term that encompasses the concept of a tribe or a group of people related by kinship. Its primary definition is "rod," which may seem unexpected, but it's essential to understand the context in which this word is used. In biblical times, a rod or staff was often used as a symbol of authority, leadership, or family ties. The word "mat.teh" appears 184 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in the Hebrew language and culture. It's used to refer to the 12 tribes of Israel, as well as to individual families and clans. This word highlights the importance of kinship and family relationships in ancient Hebrew society, where social bonds were often defined by blood ties. The use of "mat.teh" as a synonym for tribe or group suggests a sense of unity and shared identity among its members. This word also underscores the idea that family relationships extended beyond immediate kin to include larger groups of people connected by shared ancestry or cultural heritage.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
184 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
The children of Merari according to their families had twelve cities out of the tribe of Reuben, out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun.
Exodus 31:2“Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
Exodus 31:6Behold, I myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you:
Exodus 35:30Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, Yahweh has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
Exodus 35:34He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.
Exodus 38:22Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Yahweh commanded Moses.
Exodus 38:23With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.
Leviticus 24:11The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.
Numbers 1:4With you there shall be a man of every tribe, each one head of his fathers’ house.
Numbers 1:16These are those who were called of the congregation, the princes of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.
Numbers 1:21those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty-six thousand five hundred.
Numbers 1:23those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.
Numbers 1:25those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Gad, were forty-five thousand six hundred fifty.
Numbers 1:27those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Judah, were seventy-four thousand six hundred.
Numbers 1:29those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty-four thousand four hundred.
Numbers 1:31those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.
Numbers 1:33those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand five hundred.
Numbers 1:35those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty-two thousand two hundred.
Numbers 1:37those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty-five thousand four hundred.
Numbers 1:39those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Dan, were sixty-two thousand seven hundred.
Numbers 1:41those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty-one thousand five hundred.
Numbers 1:43those who were counted of them, of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty-three thousand four hundred.
Numbers 1:47But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not counted among them.
Numbers 1:49“Only the tribe of Levi you shall not count, neither shall you take a census of them among the children of Israel;
Numbers 2:5Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar. The prince of the children of Issachar shall be Nethanel the son of Zuar.
Numbers 2:7The tribe of Zebulun: the prince of the children of Zebulun shall be Eliab the son of Helon.
Numbers 2:12“Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon. The prince of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Numbers 2:14“The tribe of Gad: the prince of the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
Numbers 2:20“Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh. The prince of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Numbers 2:22“The tribe of Benjamin: the prince of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Numbers 2:27“Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher. The prince of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ochran.
Numbers 2:29“The tribe of Naphtali: the prince of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
Numbers 3:6“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him.
Numbers 7:2the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, offered. These were the princes of the tribes. These are they who were over those who were counted;
Numbers 7:12He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah,
Numbers 32:28So Moses commanded concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers’ households of the tribes of the children of Israel.
Numbers 10:15Nethanel the son of Zuar was over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar.
Numbers 10:16Eliab the son of Helon was over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun.
Numbers 10:19Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai was over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon.
Numbers 10:20Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad.
Numbers 10:23Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur was over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh.
Numbers 10:24Abidan the son of Gideoni was over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin.
Numbers 10:26Pagiel the son of Ochran was over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher.
Numbers 10:27Ahira the son of Enan was over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali.
Numbers 13:2“Send men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel. Of every tribe of their fathers, you shall send a man, every one a prince among them.”
Numbers 13:4These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
Numbers 13:5Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
Numbers 13:6Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
Numbers 13:7Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
Numbers 13:8Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.