Lexical Summary mattara or mattarah: Target, mark, guard, prison Original Word: מַטָּרָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mark, prison Or mattarah {mat-taw-raw'}; from natar; a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched) -- mark, prison. see HEBREW natar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom natar Definition a guard, ward, prison, target, mark NASB Translation guard (6), guardhouse (7), target (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַטָּרָה and (Lamentations 3:12) מַטָּרָא noun feminine 1. guard, ward, prison Nehemiah 3:25. 2 target, mark (as kept in the eye, watched, compare נָצַר Proverbs 23:26, and σκόπος (watcher, mark) from σκέπτομαι; perhaps Nabataean [רתא]מט Lzb323); — always absolute: — 1 guard, ward, prison, usually ׳חֲצַר הַמּ court of gaurd (see I. ׳חָצֵ) Jeremiah 32:2,8,12; Jeremiah 33:1; Jeremiah 37:21 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 38:6,13,28; Jeremiah 39:14,15; ׳שַׁעַר הַמּ Nehemiah 12:39. 2 target, mark Job 16:12 (figurative of ׳יs chastisement), כַּמַּטָּרָא לַחֵץ Lamentations 3:12 (simile id.); literally only 1 Samuel 20:20. Topical Lexicon Scope and Central Ideaמַטָּרָא appears sixteen times in fifteen verses, embracing two distinct but related nuances: 1. A physical “target” at which arrows are shot. Both nuances converge around the idea of an appointed point that is carefully watched, whether for hitting with arrows or for keeping prisoners under surveillance. Old Testament Settings 1. Military practice – 1 Samuel 20:20 records Jonathan’s arrow signal to David: “I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target.” Here the word evokes accuracy, focus, and deliberate intent. Jeremiah and the Courtyard of the Guard • First confinement (Jeremiah 32:2–3). During Babylon’s siege, “Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah.” His incarceration does not silence him; it becomes the very setting in which he purchases a field (32:6–15), preaches future restoration (32:36–44), and receives the covenant promise (33:1–26). Theological and Ministry Significance Focus and Appointment. Whether a marksman’s target or a royal prison yard, מַטָּרָא speaks of an appointed point fixed by sovereign design. Scripture portrays God Himself as the One who both aims the arrow (Job 16:12) and ordains the place of confinement (Jeremiah 33:1). His purposes are precise, never random. Suffering under God’s Aim. In Lamentations 3:12 the lamenter cries, “He bent His bow and set me as the target for His arrow.” The imagery captures the mystery of divine chastening: the believer may feel pinned to a bull’s-eye of affliction, yet the same Lord who wounds also heals (cf. Hosea 6:1). Imprisonment that Advances the Word. Jeremiah’s guard-court episodes foreshadow later imprisonments (Peter in Acts 12, Paul in Acts 28) where confinement furthers rather than hinders ministry. When physical freedom is curtailed, the Word of God “is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). Watchfulness in Community Life. Nehemiah’s “Gate of the Guard” reminds today’s churches to maintain spiritual watch-posts—doctrinal clarity, moral accountability, and protective leadership—around the flock. Christological Echoes The Servant of the Lord becomes the ultimate “target” of wrath so that sinners might go free: “He was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). Like Jeremiah, Jesus is arrested within Jerusalem’s walls, yet through that confinement accomplishes redemption. The courtyard where He is mocked (Mark 15:16) parallels Jeremiah’s guard court, showing continuity in God’s redemptive storyline. Practical Applications • Perseverance: Seasons when believers feel like immobile “targets” can become platforms for prophetic witness if met with faith. Summary מַטָּרָא binds together images of precision and custody. Whether describing a bull’s-eye or a prison yard, it accentuates God’s deliberate governance over events. From Jonathan’s arrow practice to Jeremiah’s imprisonments, Scripture testifies that the Lord appoints both the place and the purpose, wielding hardship and protection alike for the advance of His unbreakable word. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּטָּרָ֑ה הַמַּטָּרָ֔ה הַמַּטָּרָ֖ה הַמַּטָּרָ֗ה הַמַּטָּרָֽה׃ הַמַּטָּרָה֒ המטרה המטרה׃ כַּמַּטָּרָ֖א כמטרא לְמַטָּרָֽה׃ למטרה׃ ham·maṭ·ṭā·rāh hammattaRah hammaṭṭārāh kam·maṭ·ṭā·rā kammattaRa kammaṭṭārā lə·maṭ·ṭā·rāh lemattaRah ləmaṭṭārāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 20:20 HEB: לְשַֽׁלַּֽח־ לִ֖י לְמַטָּרָֽה׃ NAS: as though I shot at a target. KJV: [thereof], as though I shot at a mark. INT: will shoot shot A target Nehemiah 3:25 Nehemiah 12:39 Job 16:12 Jeremiah 32:2 Jeremiah 32:8 Jeremiah 32:12 Jeremiah 33:1 Jeremiah 37:21 Jeremiah 37:21 Jeremiah 38:6 Jeremiah 38:13 Jeremiah 38:28 Jeremiah 39:14 Jeremiah 39:15 Lamentations 3:12 16 Occurrences |
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