Lexical Summary Mattanah: Mattanah Original Word: מַתָּנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mattanah The same as mattanah; Mattanah, a place in the Desert -- Mattanah. see HEBREW mattanah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of mattan Definition a place E. of the Jordan NASB Translation Mattanah (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מַתָּנָה proper name, of a location a station of Israel east of Jordan Numbers 21:18,19 (JE), ᵐ5 Μανθαναειν. מַתְּנַי see מַתַּנְיָה below Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Mattanah (מַתָּנָה) carries the everyday Hebrew sense of “gift.” When used as a place-name in the wilderness itinerary of Israel, the term subtly affirms that every step of the redeemed community—even waystations in an arid land—is a gracious bestowal from the LORD. Biblical Occurrences The name appears twice, both in the travel record that bridges Israel’s forty years of wandering with their approach to the Promised Land: These terse notices position Mattanah between the well at Beer and the plateau of Moab, forming part of the route by which the nation skirted Edom, defeated Sihon of the Amorites, and drew near to Pisgah. Geographical Context Mattanah is generally located east of the Dead Sea, somewhere along the ancient King’s Highway. Its precise site remains uncertain, but the sequence Beer → Mattanah → Nahaliel → Bamoth suggests a gradual ascent from desert floor to the higher Moabite tableland. The setting underscores God’s provision of water, direction, and safe passage in regions historically controlled by hostile peoples. Historical Significance in the Wilderness Journey 1. Transitional Marker: Mattanah occurs after the miracle of the well at Beer (Numbers 21:16–17) and before Israel’s victories over Sihon and Og. It therefore marks a turning point from decades of aimless wandering to purposeful advance. Theological and Ministry Reflections Gift imagery pervades Scripture—salvation itself is “the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 6:23). Mattanah offers a geographical parable: grace is not merely a future inheritance but a present help along the pilgrimage. For ministry, the site reminds leaders to celebrate interim proofs of God’s generosity, strengthening congregations for ongoing obedience. Typological Insight Just as Mattanah lay between a life-giving well and higher ground in Moab, so the believer’s journey moves from initial refreshment in Christ (John 4:14) toward the upward call of God (Philippians 3:14). Each stage is itself a “gift,” designed to cultivate gratitude, witness, and persevering faith. Lessons for Contemporary Discipleship • Recognize and memorialize God’s smaller provisions; they prepare hearts for larger victories. Related Biblical Themes Gift (מַתָּנָה) appears in other forms to describe priestly portions (Numbers 18:11), royal beneficence (Esther 2:18), and messianic promise (Psalm 68:18). Mattanah as a place-name anchors this vocabulary in the dust and travel of real history, demonstrating that divine generosity is never abstract but woven into the lived experience of God’s people. Forms and Transliterations וּמִמַּתָּנָ֖ה וממתנה מַתָּנָֽה׃ מתנה׃ mat·tā·nāh mattaNah mattānāh ū·mim·mat·tā·nāh umimattaNah ūmimmattānāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 21:18 HEB: בְּמִשְׁעֲנֹתָ֑ם וּמִמִּדְבָּ֖ר מַתָּנָֽה׃ NAS: And from the wilderness [they continued] to Mattanah, KJV: And from the wilderness [they went] to Mattanah: INT: their staffs the wilderness Mattanah Numbers 21:19 2 Occurrences |
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