Lexical Summary Matri: Matri Original Word: מַטְרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Matri From matar; rainy; Matri, an Israelite -- Matri. see HEBREW matar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom matar Definition a Benjamite family NASB Translation Matrite (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַטְרִי adjective, of a people only with article as substantive collective ׳הַמּ 1 Samuel 10:21a + 1 Samuel 10:21b ᵐ5 The We Klo Dr Kit Bu HPS. ᵐ5 Ματταρι. מַטָּרָא, מַטָּרָה see נטר. מַטְרֵד see טרד. Topical Lexicon Occurrence in Scripture Matri appears once, when “the clan of the Matrites was chosen” during the public lot-casting that identified Saul as Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 10:21). The name designates a Benjamite sub-clan descended from an otherwise unknown ancestor. Historical and Genealogical Setting Benjamin’s sons are listed in Genesis 46 and 1 Chronicles 7–9, yet none is called Matri. The omission suggests either a later-emerging branch or a clan title derived from a prominent descendant whose name is not preserved elsewhere. This selectivity in the genealogical record is common; Scripture often spotlights names that serve its redemptive purpose rather than providing exhaustive census data. After the near-annihilation of Benjamin in the judges period (Judges 20–21), the tribe was numerically small and socially humbled. Within that reduced community, the Matrites evidently held little national prominence—until the Lord advanced them by placing Saul on the throne. Role in the Selection of Saul The Mizpah assembly follows a sequence seen earlier with Achan (Joshua 7:16-18): Israel, tribe, clan, household, individual. By naming the Matri clan, the narrative anchors divine choice in verifiable kinship, silencing any suspicion of political intrigue. The procedure affirms that “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). Once elevated, the Matri household shared in Saul’s privileges and liabilities; subsequent judgments on Saul’s line (1 Samuel 22:7; 2 Samuel 21:1-9) show how leadership decisions ripple through an entire family network. Theological Implications 1. Sovereign election of the obscure—God sees clans unnoticed by history and raises them when it serves His redemptive plan (1 Samuel 9:21; 1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Ministry and Practical Applications • Encouragement to hidden laborers: God’s eye rests on forgotten families as surely as on celebrated ones (Hebrews 6:10). Place in Redemptive History Matri’s lone mention signals a turning point from tribal judgeship to monarchy, a shift that ultimately highlights humanity’s need for a righteous, everlasting King. The obscurity of the clan that produced Saul contrasts sharply with the revealed lineage of David and, later, Jesus Christ, in whom the throne is secured forever. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּטְרִ֑י המטרי ham·maṭ·rî hammatRi hammaṭrîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 10:21 HEB: וַתִּלָּכֵ֖ד מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת הַמַּטְרִ֑י וַיִּלָּכֵד֙ שָׁא֣וּל NAS: by its families, and the Matrite family KJV: the family of Matri was taken, INT: was taken families and the Matrite was taken and Saul 1 Occurrence |
    |