Lexical Summary Mattithyah or Mattithyahu: Mattithiah or Mattithyahu Original Word: מַתִּתְיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mattithiah Or Mattithyahuw {mat-tith-yaw'-hoo}; from mattath and Yahh; gift of Jah; Mattithjah, the name of four Israelites -- Mattithiah. see HEBREW mattath see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mattath and Yah Definition "gift of Yah," the name of several Isr. NASB Translation Mattithiah (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַתִּתְיָ֫הוּ, מַתִּתְיָה proper name, masculine (compare GrayProp. N. 294, No. 81); — ᵐ5 Ματταθιας, etc; — 1 a Levitical musician, מַתִּתְיָ֫הוּ 1 Chronicles 15:18,21; 1 Chronicles 25:3,21 = מַתִּתְיָה 1 Chronicles 16:5. 2 מַתִּתְיָה, Levitical name 1 Chronicles 9:31. 3 ׳מ, attendant of Ezra (also Levite ?) Nehemiah 8:4. 4 one of those who took strange wives Ezra 10:43. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Biblical Overview The name Mattithiah (“gift of Yahweh”) appears eight times in the Old Testament, attached to several individuals whose ministries span pre-exilic worship, post-exilic restoration, and covenant reform. Though the men are distinct, their accounts converge in a single theme: a life yielded to the Lord’s purposes, whether through sacred music, temple provisions, or public repentance. Distribution of the Name • Levitical baker: 1 Chronicles 9:31 Mattithiah the Korahite—Temple Provision “A Levite named Mattithiah, the firstborn son of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with baking the offerings.” (1 Chronicles 9:31) As firstborn of a family of gatekeepers, this Mattithiah supervised the preparation of the bread used in grain offerings. His task illustrates the quiet faithfulness required for daily worship, emphasizing that unseen ministries are indispensable to the house of God. Mattithiah the Musician—Worship before the Ark When David brought the Ark to Jerusalem, Mattithiah joined the select company of Levites who led the procession with stringed instruments “according to Sheminith” (1 Chronicles 15:21). His name reappears in the inaugural service that followed: “Asaph was the chief…Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel with harps and lyres” (1 Chronicles 16:5). These passages highlight the priority David placed on ordered, God-centered praise and the role skilled Levites played in teaching Israel to rejoice before the Lord. Mattithiah the Seer—Prophetic Praise under Jeduthun “Of Jeduthun: Gedaliah…Hashabiah, and Mattithiah…under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied using the harp in thanksgiving and praise to the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 25:3) Here Mattithiah is numbered among six sons who both played instruments and “prophesied” in song. The casting of lots for service (1 Chronicles 25:21) affirms that musical prophecy was not haphazard emotion but an orderly, Spirit-guided ministry. Through him, God’s word flowed in melody, instructing, exhorting, and comforting the congregation. Mattithiah and the Foreign Wives—Call to Holiness “From the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad…had married foreign women.” (Ezra 10:43) During Ezra’s reform, this Mattithiah stands as a sobering warning. Though sharing the same honored name, he violated the covenant by contracting marriages that blurred Israel’s distinct identity. His listing among the repentant underscores the seriousness of compromise and the mercy available through confession. Mattithiah at the Covenant Renewal—Public Support of God’s Word At the great reading of the Law, Ezra stood on a wooden platform with leaders flanking him. “Standing beside him at his right hand were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah…” (Nehemiah 8:4). This Mattithiah lent visible support to the proclamation of Scripture, reinforcing the authority of the Word in the restored community. His silent presence speaks volumes: leaders must stand with God’s messenger to encourage a hearing people. Theological Reflections 1. God’s gifts are for service. Whether baking sacred bread or playing prophetic music, every ability should glorify the Giver. Practical Implications • Cultivate faithfulness in unnoticed tasks; God records the baker as surely as the prophet. Thus, the various Mattithiahs collectively testify that every “gift of Yahweh” finds its highest purpose when yielded to the honor of His name. Forms and Transliterations וּמַתִּתְיָ֜הוּ וּמַתִּתְיָ֡ה וּמַתִּתְיָ֣הוּ וּמַתִּתְיָה֙ וּמַתִּתְיָהוּ֩ ומתתיה ומתתיהו מַתִּתְיָ֔הוּ מַתִּתְיָ֡ה מַתִּתְיָה֙ מתתיה מתתיהו mat·tiṯ·yā·hū mat·tiṯ·yāh mattitYah mattiṯyāh mattitYahu mattiṯyāhū ū·mat·tiṯ·yā·hū ū·mat·tiṯ·yāh umattitYah ūmattiṯyāh umattityaHu ūmattiṯyāhūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 9:31 HEB: וּמַתִּתְיָה֙ מִן־ הַלְוִיִּ֔ם NAS: Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who KJV: And Mattithiah, [one] of the Levites, INT: Mattithiah at of the Levites 1 Chronicles 15:18 1 Chronicles 15:21 1 Chronicles 16:5 1 Chronicles 25:3 1 Chronicles 25:21 Ezra 10:43 Nehemiah 8:4 8 Occurrences |
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