4294. matteh or mattah

Lexical Summary

matteh or mattah: tribe, staff, tribes

Original Word: מַטֶּה
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: matteh
Pronunciation: mat-teh' or mat-tah'
Phonetic Spelling: (mat-teh')
KJV: rod, staff, tribe
NASB: tribe, staff, tribes, rod, tribal, rods, branch
Word Origin: [from H5186 (נָטָה - stretched)]

1. a branch (as extending)
2. (figuratively) a tribe
3. also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff
4. (figuratively) a support of life, e.g. bread)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

rod, staff, tribe

Or (feminine) mattah {mat-taw'}; from natah; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. Bread) -- rod, staff, tribe.

see HEBREW natah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from natah
Definition
a staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe
NASB Translation
branch (3), branches (1), half-tribe* (13), rod (18), rods (6), scepter (2), spears (1), staff (33), staffs (1), supply (1), tribal (8), tribe (140), tribes (20).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מַטֶּה₂₅₁ noun masculine^{Exodus 4:17} (feminine Micah 6:9 according to ᵑ0, but dubious, see below)

1 staff, rod, shaft.

2 branch.

3 tribe (Ecclus 48:2 staff, Ecclesiasticus 45:6; Ecclesiasticus 45:25 tribe); — absolute ׳מ Genesis 38:25 +; construct מַטַּה Exodus 4:20 +; suffix מַטְּךָ Genesis 38:18 5t., מַטֶּ֑ךָ Exodus 8:1, מַטֵּ֫הוּ Isaiah 10:24 10t.; plural מַטּוֺת 1 Kings 8:1 +, etc.; suffix מַטּוֺחָם Exodus 7:12; Numbers 17:21; also מַטָּיו Habakkuk 3:14 (but read מַטֶּיךָ or — Gr — מַטֹּתֶיךָ); —

1 (compare מַקֵּל, שֵׁבֶט) staff of traveller Genesis 38:18,25 (J); in General Isaiah 10:15 (simile; "" שֵׁבֶט); from staff as support comes figurative מַטֵּהלֶֿחֶם staff of bread (food supply) Ezekiel 4:16; Ezekiel 5:16; Ezekiel 14:13; Leviticus 26:26; Psalm 105:16; of staff or rod, Moses as shepherd Exodus 4:2,4; Exodus 7:15 (J), Exodus 4:17; Exodus 7:17,20; Exodus 9:23; Exodus 10:13; Exodus 17:5 (all E); compare also Isaiah 10:26; Exodus 14:16; Numbers 20:8,9,11 (all P); called הָאֱלֹהִים ׳מ Exodus 4:20; Exodus 17:9 (both E), because of miraculous power connected with it; compare mirac. rod of Aaron Exodus 7:9,10,12,19; Exodus 8:1; Exodus 8:12; Exodus 8:13 (all P), and of Egyptian magicians Exodus 7:12 (twice in verse) (P); compare Aaron's rod that budded Numbers 17:18; Numbers 17:21; Numbers 17:23; Numbers 17:25 (compare RS^{Semitic i. 180; 2d ed. 197}); carried even by warrior 1 Samuel 14:27,43; מַטֵּה שִׁכְמוֺ Isaiah 9:3 i.e. rod that strikes his shoulder, task-master's rod ("" שֵׁבֶט הַנֹּגֵשׂ בּוֺ), compare Isaiah 10:5 and Isaiah 10:24; Isaiah 14:5 ("" שֵׁבֶט), all figurative of oppression; מַטֵּה מוּסָדָה Isaiah 30:32 appointed rod (of punishment); compare ׳מ Ezekiel 7:10,11 (but text obscure, Co — q. v. — sceptre), also Micah 6:9 according to ᵑ0, but see below

3; used in beating out (חבט) fennel Isaiah 28:27; staff as badge of leader or ruler מַטֵּהעֹֿז Jeremiah 48:17 ("" מַקֵּל), compare Psalm 110:2; so Numbers 17:17 (4 t. in verse) + 10 t. Numbers 17; apparently shafts, i.e. arrows or spears, Habakkuk 3:9,14 (compare Now Da GASm).

2 branch of vine Ezekiel 19:11,12,14 (twice in verse).

3 tribe (183 t.), originally company led by chief with staff: specifically of tribes of Israel in both singular and plural, 1 Kings 7:14; 1 Kings 8:1 2Chronicles 5:2; Exodus 31:2 5t. Exodus; Leviticus 24:11; Numbers 1:4 89t. Numbers; Joshua 7:1 56t. Joshua (all P); 1 Chronicles 6:45 21t. 1 Chronicles 6; 1 Chronicles 12:31; probably also Micah 6:9 (vocative; so ᵐ5 We Now GASm). — compare שֵׁבֶט, and on relation of these two words for tribe Hebrew usage Dr^{JPhoenician xi. (1882), 213 f}.

Topical Lexicon

Overview of Usage

מַטֶּה appears about 252 times and carries two closely related ideas: a physical rod or staff, and, by extension, a tribe as the organized body under that rod. Whether in shepherding, national census, prophetic warning, or messianic anticipation, the term points to delegated authority set in motion by God.

Symbol of Authority and Leadership

• Patriarchs: Jacob crossed the Jordan “with only my staff” (Genesis 32:10), acknowledging God’s faithfulness from solitary wanderer to family head.
• Exodus Leadership: The staff in Moses’ hand became the emblem of his commission. “But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it” (Exodus 4:17). Pharaoh’s magicians wielded counterfeit staves, but God’s rod swallowed theirs (Exodus 7:12), underscoring divine supremacy.
• Kingship and Rule: Even when מַטֶּה is translated “scepter,” the concept remains one of rightful dominion (Ezekiel 19:11; Zechariah 10:11).

Instrument of Divine Power and Miraculous Signs

• Plagues: With an outstretched staff the Nile turned to blood (Exodus 7:20).
• Red Sea: “Lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it” (Exodus 14:16).
• Wilderness Provision: The rock at Horeb yielded water when struck by the staff (Exodus 17:5–6), prefiguring Christ the smitten Rock who gives living water (1 Corinthians 10:4).
• Confirming Priesthood: Aaron’s rod sprouted overnight—“blossomed and produced almonds” (Numbers 17:8)—ending rebellion and authenticating God-chosen mediators.

Tribal Identity and Organizational Structure

Each tribal unit is a מַטֶּה because governance rested in a leader’s staff. Census lists (Numbers 1–4; 26) are arranged “according to the tribes of their fathers” (Numbers 26:55), revealing a divinely ordered community. Land allotments, military musters, and worship service were all coordinated by tribe, displaying both diversity and oneness in covenant life.

Tool of Judgment and Correction

• Assyrian Rod: “O My people… do not fear the Assyrians, who beat you with a rod” (Isaiah 10:24). God may raise up foreign powers as corrective staves, yet He also “has broken the staff of the wicked” (Isaiah 14:5).
• Shepherd’s Discipline: Psalm 23 uses a related pairing (“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”) to blend protection with guidance, reminding believers that God’s discipline is restorative, not destructive (Hebrews 12:6-11).

Support and Pilgrimage

The staff is the pilgrim’s aid. Israel ate the Passover “with your staff in your hand” (Exodus 12:11), ready for departure. Later prophets denounce Egypt as “that broken reed of a staff” (2 Kings 18:21), warning against false supports and calling God’s people to lean on Him alone.

Prophetic Imagery and Eschatological Hope

Zechariah names two staves, Favor and Union (Zechariah 11:7), dramatizing covenant grace and national unity. When Favor is broken, it signals judgment; when Union is broken, it foreshadows Israel’s scattering. Yet God promises restoration: “The LORD of Hosts will brandish His staff over the sea” (Zechariah 10:11), assuring final deliverance.

Christological Foreshadowing

Moses’ staff points to Christ’s cross—an emblem of weakness that becomes the means of triumph. Aaron’s budding rod anticipates resurrection life issuing from what seemed dead. The messianic Shepherd rules with a rod yet comforts His flock, uniting mercy and sovereignty (compare Revelation 19:15 with John 10:11).

Practical Ministry Lessons

1. God chooses ordinary instruments to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
2. Authentic leadership is confirmed by divine power, not human acclaim.
3. Discipline administered under God’s authority serves the good of the flock.
4. Unity amid diversity is maintained when every tribe gathers at the Tent of Meeting around God’s presence.
5. The believer’s journey requires leaning on the unfailing staff of the Shepherd, rejecting broken reeds.

Key References

Genesis 32:10; Exodus 4:2–17; Exodus 7:19–20; Exodus 12:11; Exodus 14:16; Exodus 17:5–6; Numbers 1:4; Numbers 17:2–10; Deuteronomy 29:9; Judges 6:21; 1 Samuel 14:43; 1 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 18:21; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 10:24; Isaiah 14:5; Isaiah 30:32; Ezekiel 19:11; Ezekiel 29:6; Zechariah 10:11; Zechariah 11:7-14; Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 19:15.

Forms and Transliterations

בְּמַטֵּ֖הוּ בְּמַטֶּ֔ךָ בְמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ בְמַטָּיו֙ בַּמַּטֶּ֣ה בַּמַּטֶּה֙ בַמַּטֶּ֛ה במטה במטהו במטיו במטך הַמַּטֶּ֑ה הַמַּטֶּ֔ה הַמַּטֶּ֖ה הַמַּטֶּ֗ה הַמַּטֶּ֡ה הַמַּטֶּ֥ה הַמַּטֶּ֧ה הַמַּטֶּֽה׃ הַמַּטֶּה֙ הַמַּטֹּ֔ת הַמַּטֹּ֖ת הַמַּטֹּת֙ הַמַּטּ֔וֹת הַמַּטּ֖וֹת הַמַּטּ֜וֹת הַמַּטּוֹת֙ הַמַּטּוֹת֩ המטה המטה׃ המטות המטת וְהַמַּטֶּ֖ה וְהַמַּטֶּ֛ה וְמַטֵּ֖ה וּֽמִמַּטֵּה־ וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה וּלְמַטֵּה֙ וּמִ֨מַּטֵּה־ וּמִמַּ֨טֵּה־ וּמִמַּטֵּ֖ה וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה וּמִמַּטֵּ֨ה וּמִמַּטֵּֽה־ וּמִמַּטֵּה־ וּמַטְּךָ֖ וּמַטְּךָ֗ וּמַטֵּ֖ה וּמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ וּמַטֵּ֥ה וּמַטֵּ֥הוּ וּמַטֶּה־ והמטה ולמטה ומטה ומטה־ ומטהו ומטך וממטה וממטה־ לְמַטֵּ֛ה לְמַטֵּ֣ה לְמַטֵּ֤ה לְמַטֵּ֥ה לְמַטֵּה־ לְמַטֶּ֖ה לְמַטֶּ֣ה לְמַטּ֥וֹת לְמַטּוֹת֩ לַמַּטֶּ֑ה לַמַּטֶּ֔ה לַמַּטֶּ֖ה למטה למטה־ למטות מִמַּטֵּ֖ה מִמַּטֵּ֣ה מִמַּטֵּ֤ה מִמַּטֵּ֥ה מִמַּטֵּ֨ה מִמַּטֵּה֙ מִמַּטֵּה־ מִמַּטֶּ֑ה מִמַּטֶּ֖ה מִמַּטּוֹת֮ מַטְּךָ֔ מַטְּךָ֗ מַטְּךָ֛ מַטְּךָ֣ מַטֵּ֔הוּ מַטֵּ֖ה מַטֵּ֗הוּ מַטֵּ֣ה מַטֵּ֣הוּ מַטֵּ֤ה מַטֵּ֥ה מַטֵּ֧ה מַטֵּ֨ה מַטֵּֽה־ מַטֵּֽהוּ׃ מַטֵּה־ מַטֵּהוּ֮ מַטֶּ֑ה מַטֶּ֖ה מַטֶּ֣ה מַטֶּ֨ה מַטֶּֽה׃ מַטֶּה֩ מַטֹּתָֽם׃ מַטּ֑וֹת מַטּ֖וֹת מַטּ֣וֹת מַטּוֹתָֽם׃ מַטּוֹת־ מטה מטה־ מטה׃ מטהו מטהו׃ מטות מטות־ מטותם׃ מטך מטתם׃ ממטה ממטה־ ממטות bam·maṭ·ṭeh ḇam·maṭ·ṭeh bammatTeh bammaṭṭeh ḇammaṭṭeh ḇə·maṭ·ṭāw bə·maṭ·ṭê·hū ḇə·maṭ·ṭê·hū bə·maṭ·ṭe·ḵā ḇəmaṭṭāw bematTecha bematTehu bəmaṭṭêhū ḇəmaṭṭêhū bəmaṭṭeḵā ham·maṭ·ṭeh ham·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ ham·maṭ·ṭōṯ hammatTeh hammaṭṭeh hammatTot hammaṭṭōṯ hammaṭṭōwṯ lam·maṭ·ṭeh lammatTeh lammaṭṭeh lə·maṭ·ṭeh lə·maṭ·ṭêh lə·maṭ·ṭêh- lə·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ lematTeh ləmaṭṭeh ləmaṭṭêh ləmaṭṭêh- lematTot ləmaṭṭōwṯ maṭ·ṭê·hū maṭ·ṭə·ḵā maṭ·ṭeh maṭ·ṭêh maṭ·ṭêh- maṭ·ṭō·ṯām maṭ·ṭō·w·ṯām maṭ·ṭō·wṯ maṭ·ṭō·wṯ- matteCha matTeh maṭṭeh maṭṭêh maṭṭêh- matTehu maṭṭêhū maṭṭəḵā matTot mattoTam maṭṭōṯām maṭṭōwṯ maṭṭōwṯ- maṭṭōwṯām mim·maṭ·ṭeh mim·maṭ·ṭêh mim·maṭ·ṭêh- mim·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ mimatTeh mimattOt mimmaṭṭeh mimmaṭṭêh mimmaṭṭêh- mimmaṭṭōwṯ ū·lə·maṭ·ṭêh ū·maṭ·ṭê·hū ū·maṭ·ṭə·ḵā ū·maṭ·ṭêh ū·maṭ·ṭeh- ū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh ū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh- ulematTeh ūləmaṭṭêh umatteCha umatTeh ūmaṭṭêh ūmaṭṭeh- umatTehu ūmaṭṭêhū ūmaṭṭəḵā umimatTeh ūmimmaṭṭêh ūmimmaṭṭêh- vammatTeh vehammatTeh vematTav vematTeh vematTehu wə·ham·maṭ·ṭeh wə·maṭ·ṭêh wəhammaṭṭeh wəmaṭṭêh

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 38:18
HEB: חֹתָֽמְךָ֙ וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָ וּמַטְּךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ
NAS: and your cord, and your staff that is in your hand.
KJV: and thy bracelets, and thy staff that [is] in thine hand.
INT: your seal and your cord and your staff is in hand

Genesis 38:25
HEB: הַחֹתֶ֧מֶת וְהַפְּתִילִ֛ים וְהַמַּטֶּ֖ה הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
NAS: ring and cords and staff are these?
KJV: and bracelets, and staff.
INT: ring and cords and staff things

Exodus 4:2
HEB: בְיָדֶ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר מַטֶּֽה׃
NAS: And he said, A staff.
KJV: And he said, A rod.
INT: able said A staff

Exodus 4:4
HEB: בּ֔וֹ וַיְהִ֥י לְמַטֶּ֖ה בְּכַפּֽוֹ׃
NAS: it, and it became a staff in his hand--
KJV: and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
INT: and caught became A staff his hand

Exodus 4:17
HEB: וְאֶת־ הַמַּטֶּ֥ה הַזֶּ֖ה תִּקַּ֣ח
NAS: this staff, with which
KJV: And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand,
INT: staff this shall take

Exodus 4:20
HEB: מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת־ מַטֵּ֥ה הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּיָדֽוֹ׃
NAS: also took the staff of God
KJV: took the rod of God
INT: took Moses the staff of God his hand

Exodus 7:9
HEB: קַ֧ח אֶֽת־ מַטְּךָ֛ וְהַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ לִפְנֵֽי־
NAS: Take your staff and throw [it] down
KJV: Take thy rod, and cast
INT: Aaron Take your staff and throw before

Exodus 7:10
HEB: אַהֲרֹ֜ן אֶת־ מַטֵּ֗הוּ לִפְנֵ֥י פַרְעֹ֛ה
NAS: and Aaron threw his staff down before
KJV: cast down his rod before
INT: threw and Aaron his staff before Pharaoh

Exodus 7:12
HEB: וַיַּשְׁלִ֙יכוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ מַטֵּ֔הוּ וַיִּהְי֖וּ לְתַנִּינִ֑ם
NAS: threw down his staff and they turned
KJV: every man his rod, and they became serpents:
INT: threw each his staff turned serpents

Exodus 7:12
HEB: לְתַנִּינִ֑ם וַיִּבְלַ֥ע מַטֵּֽה־ אַהֲרֹ֖ן אֶת־
NAS: But Aaron's staff swallowed
KJV: but Aaron's rod swallowed up
INT: serpents swallowed staff Aaron's their staffs

Exodus 7:12
HEB: אַהֲרֹ֖ן אֶת־ מַטֹּתָֽם׃
NAS: staff swallowed up their staffs.
KJV: rod swallowed up their rods.
INT: staff Aaron's their staffs

Exodus 7:15
HEB: שְׂפַ֣ת הַיְאֹ֑ר וְהַמַּטֶּ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־ נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ
NAS: in your hand the staff that was turned
KJV: against he come; and the rod which was turned
INT: the bank of the Nile the staff that was turned

Exodus 7:17
HEB: אָנֹכִ֜י מַכֶּ֣ה ׀ בַּמַּטֶּ֣ה אֲשֶׁר־ בְּיָדִ֗י
NAS: that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand,
KJV: behold, I will smite with the rod that [is] in mine hand
INT: I will strike the staff is in hand

Exodus 7:19
HEB: אַהֲרֹ֡ן קַ֣ח מַטְּךָ֣ וּנְטֵֽה־ יָדְךָ֩
NAS: Take your staff and stretch
KJV: Take thy rod, and stretch out
INT: Aaron Take your staff and stretch your hand

Exodus 7:20
HEB: יְהוָ֗ה וַיָּ֤רֶם בַּמַּטֶּה֙ וַיַּ֤ךְ אֶת־
NAS: And he lifted up the staff and struck
KJV: and he lifted up the rod, and smote
INT: as the LORD lifted the staff and struck the water

Exodus 8:5
HEB: אֶת־ יָדְךָ֙ בְּמַטֶּ֔ךָ עַל־ הַ֨נְּהָרֹ֔ת
NAS: out your hand with your staff over
KJV: thine hand with thy rod over the streams,
INT: Stretch your hand your staff over the rivers

Exodus 8:16
HEB: נְטֵ֣ה אֶֽת־ מַטְּךָ֔ וְהַ֖ךְ אֶת־
NAS: Stretch out your staff and strike
KJV: Stretch out thy rod, and smite
INT: Aaron Stretch your staff and strike the dust

Exodus 8:17
HEB: אֶת־ יָד֤וֹ בְמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־
NAS: out his hand with his staff, and struck
KJV: his hand with his rod, and smote
INT: and Aaron his hand his staff and struck the dust

Exodus 9:23
HEB: מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת־ מַטֵּהוּ֮ עַל־ הַשָּׁמַיִם֒
NAS: stretched out his staff toward
KJV: stretched forth his rod toward heaven:
INT: stretched Moses his staff toward the sky

Exodus 10:13
HEB: מֹשֶׁ֣ה אֶת־ מַטֵּהוּ֮ עַל־ אֶ֣רֶץ
NAS: stretched out his staff over
KJV: stretched forth his rod over the land
INT: stretched Moses his staff over the land

Exodus 14:16
HEB: הָרֵ֣ם אֶֽת־ מַטְּךָ֗ וּנְטֵ֧ה אֶת־
NAS: As for you, lift up your staff and stretch
KJV: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out
INT: you lift your staff and stretch your hand

Exodus 17:5
HEB: מִזִּקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּמַטְּךָ֗ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִכִּ֤יתָ
NAS: in your hand your staff with which
KJV: of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest
INT: of the elders of Israel your staff which struck

Exodus 17:9
HEB: רֹ֣אשׁ הַגִּבְעָ֔ה וּמַטֵּ֥ה הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּיָדִֽי׃
NAS: of the hill with the staff of God
KJV: of the hill with the rod of God
INT: the top of the hill the staff of God my hand

Exodus 31:2
HEB: בֶן־ ח֖וּר לְמַטֵּ֥ה יְהוּדָֽה׃
NAS: the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
KJV: the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
INT: the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah

Exodus 31:6
HEB: בֶּן־ אֲחִֽיסָמָךְ֙ לְמַטֵּה־ דָ֔ן וּבְלֵ֥ב
NAS: of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan;
KJV: of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan:
INT: the son of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan the hearts

252 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4294
252 Occurrences

bam·maṭ·ṭeh — 2 Occ.
bə·maṭ·ṭe·ḵā — 1 Occ.
bə·maṭ·ṭê·hū — 1 Occ.
ham·maṭ·ṭeh — 13 Occ.
ham·maṭ·ṭōṯ — 13 Occ.
lam·maṭ·ṭeh — 5 Occ.
lə·maṭ·ṭeh — 52 Occ.
lə·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ — 2 Occ.
maṭ·ṭə·ḵā — 4 Occ.
maṭ·ṭeh — 71 Occ.
maṭ·ṭê·hū — 7 Occ.
maṭ·ṭō·wṯ — 10 Occ.
maṭ·ṭō·ṯām — 2 Occ.
mim·maṭ·ṭeh — 18 Occ.
mim·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
ū·lə·maṭ·ṭêh — 7 Occ.
ū·maṭ·ṭə·ḵā — 2 Occ.
ū·maṭ·ṭêh — 6 Occ.
ū·maṭ·ṭê·hū — 2 Occ.
ū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh — 27 Occ.
ḇam·maṭ·ṭeh — 1 Occ.
wə·ham·maṭ·ṭeh — 2 Occ.
ḇə·maṭ·ṭāw — 1 Occ.
wə·maṭ·ṭêh — 1 Occ.
ḇə·maṭ·ṭê·hū — 1 Occ.