מַתַּנְיָ֫הוּ

# Mattaniah: A Personal Name in Biblical Text The Hebrew word *mattanyahu* (H4983M) is a proper noun—specifically a personal name—that appears a single time in the biblical text. The name combines elements typical of Hebrew naming conventions: *mattan* (gift) and the divine name suffix *-yahu* (Yah), literally meaning "gift of Yah" or "Yah has given." This etymological structure reflects a common practice in ancient Hebrew culture of incorporating divine references into personal names as an expression of religious devotion or gratitude. Given that this name appears only once in the biblical record, its significance is limited to that single contextual occurrence. Without additional textual information about which individual bore this name, their lineage, or their role in the narrative, we cannot determine broader patterns of usage or draw conclusions about the historical or theological importance of this particular person. The name itself, however, exemplifies how Hebrew personal nomenclature functioned as a form of theological statement—naming a child was understood as an affirmation of faith in God's generative power.