מַתָּן
mat.tan
gift
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the provided data, the Hebrew word "מַתָּן" (mat.tan) has a straightforward definition as a "gift." This word appears 5 times in the Hebrew Bible, indicating its importance in the narrative and theological themes of the texts. Given its definition, the range of usage for "מַתָּן" seems to be in contexts where a tangible or intangible item is being given or exchanged between individuals or as an offering to a higher authority. This could encompass various situations, such as a physical gift, a donation, or a divine bestowal. Its limited occurrence suggests "מַתָּן" is a distinct concept with specific connotations, possibly emphasizing the value or sacred nature of the item being given. The rarity of this word and its association with the idea of "gift" underscore its significance in Jewish scripture, contributing to a broader understanding of how Hebrew speakers and writers used language to describe reciprocity and exchange in their culture.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences across the text
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Proverbs 19:6Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
Proverbs 21:14A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
Genesis 34:12Ask me a great amount for a dowry, and I will give whatever you ask of me, but give me the young lady as a wife.”
Numbers 18:11“This is yours, too: the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.