Biblical Reference:
Mattanah is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Numbers. The reference to Mattanah is found in Numbers 21:18-19: "The princes dug the well; the nobles of the people dug it, with the scepter and with their staffs.” From the wilderness they went on to Mattanah, and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth."

Historical and Geographical Context:
Mattanah is one of the locations the Israelites passed through during their wilderness journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The name "Mattanah" means "gift" in Hebrew, which may reflect the Israelites' perception of the place as a providential stop on their journey. The exact location of Mattanah is not definitively known today, but it is believed to have been situated east of the Jordan River, in the region that is now modern-day Jordan.

Theological Significance:
The journey of the Israelites through the wilderness is a significant narrative in the Bible, symbolizing the faithfulness of God in guiding and providing for His people. Each location mentioned, including Mattanah, represents a step in the fulfillment of God's promise to bring the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey. The mention of Mattanah in the context of the well dug by the princes and nobles underscores the theme of divine provision and leadership. It highlights the cooperation between divine guidance and human responsibility, as the leaders of Israel took active roles in ensuring the community's needs were met.

Cultural and Spiritual Insights:
Mattanah, as a "gift," can be seen as a metaphor for the blessings and provisions that God bestows upon His people during their spiritual journeys. The Israelites' experience at Mattanah serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude and recognition of God's gifts in the lives of believers. It also emphasizes the role of leadership in guiding and providing for the community, a principle that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

Related Biblical Themes:
· Divine Provision: The journey through the wilderness, including the stop at Mattanah, is a testament to God's provision for His people, a theme that is echoed throughout Scripture.
· Leadership and Responsibility: The involvement of the princes and nobles in digging the well at Mattanah highlights the importance of leadership and responsibility in the community of faith.
· Journey and Pilgrimage: The Israelites' travels from Egypt to the Promised Land are often seen as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of believers, with each location representing different stages and experiences in the life of faith.

Cross-References:
· Exodus 17:1-7: The provision of water from the rock at Rephidim, another instance of God's miraculous provision for the Israelites.
· Deuteronomy 8:15-16: A reflection on God's guidance and provision during the wilderness journey.
· Psalm 78:15-16: A poetic recounting of God's provision of water in the desert.

Mattanah, though briefly mentioned, is a significant waypoint in the narrative of the Israelites' journey, symbolizing God's ongoing provision and the faithful leadership required to guide His people.Mattanah

(gift of Jehovah), a station the latter part of the wandering of the Israelites. (Numbers 21:18,19) It was probably situated to the southeast of the Dead Sea.

A gift, a station of the Israelites (Numbers 21:18, 19) between the desert and the borders of Moab, in the Wady Waleh. MATTANAH

mat'-a-na (mattanah; Codex Vaticanus, Manthanaein; Codex Alexandrinus, Manthanein): A station of the Israelites which seems to have lain between Beer and Nahaliel (Numbers 21:18 f). The name means "gift," and might not inappropriately be applied to a well in the wilderness (Budde translates "Out of the desert a gift"; see The Expository Times, VI, 482). Some would therefore identify it with Beer. This is improbable. There is now no clue to the place, but it must have lain Southwest of the Dead Sea.

4980. Mattanah -- a place East of the Jordan
... 4979, 4980. Mattanah. 4981 . a place East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Mattanah
Phonetic Spelling: (mat-taw-naw') Short Definition: Mattanah. ...
/hebrew/4980.htm - 6k

4979. mattanah -- a gift
... 4978, 4979. mattanah. 4980 . a gift. Transliteration: mattanah Phonetic Spelling:
(mat-taw-naw') Short Definition: gifts. ... 4978, 4979. mattanah. 4980 . ...
/hebrew/4979.htm - 6k

4978. mattena -- a gift
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to mattanah Definition a gift NASB Word Usage
gifts (3). gift. (Aramaic) corresponding to mattanah -- gift. ...
/hebrew/4978.htm - 6k

Mattanah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MATTANAH. mat'-a-na (mattanah... Dead Sea.
Multi-Version Concordance Mattanah (2 Occurrences). Numbers 21 ...
/m/mattanah.htm - 7k

Nahaliel (1 Occurrence)
... of God"; Codex Vaticanus Manael; Codex Alexandrinus Naaliel): A place where Israel
encamped on the way from Arnon to Jericho, named with Mattanah and Bamoth ...
/n/nahaliel.htm - 7k

Gift (148 Occurrences)
... gift (mattanah, minchah, shochadh; doron, dorea, chairisma): In Genesis 25:6 Exodus
28:38 Numbers 18:6, 7, 29 Ezekiel 20:26, etc., mattanah, "a gift," is so ...
/g/gift.htm - 59k

Mat'tanah (1 Occurrence)
Mat'tanah. Mattanah, Mat'tanah. Mattaniah . ... Mat'tanah (1 Occurrence). Numbers
21:19 and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth; (See RSV). ...
/m/mat'tanah.htm - 6k

Mattan (3 Occurrences)

/m/mattan.htm - 8k

Nahal'iel (1 Occurrence)
... Nahal'iel (1 Occurrence). Numbers 21:19 and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from
Nahaliel to Bamoth; (See RSV). Nahaliel, Nahal'iel. Nahallal . Reference Bible
/n/nahal'iel.htm - 6k

Nobles (71 Occurrences)
... which the princes dug, which the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter, and
with their poles." From the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah; (WEB KJV JPS ...
/n/nobles.htm - 33k

Law-givers (2 Occurrences)
... law-givers' rod, and with their sticks. Then from the waste land they went
on to Mattanah: (BBE). Psalms 105:22 To give his chiefs ...
/l/law-givers.htm - 7k

Delved (1 Occurrence)
... of the people delved, With the sceptre, and with their staves. And from
the wilderness they journeyed to Mattanah; (ASV JPS RSV). ...
/d/delved.htm - 6k

Digged (37 Occurrences)
... the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Deuteronomy 6:11 And houses ...
/d/digged.htm - 18k

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