Mattani'ah is a biblical figure whose name means "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of the Lord." He appears in several contexts within the Old Testament, primarily associated with the period of the Babylonian exile and the subsequent return to Jerusalem. His name is sometimes rendered as "Mattaniah" in various translations.

1. Mattani'ah, the King of Judah: Mattani'ah was the original name of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. He was the son of Josiah and the uncle of Jehoiachin. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, appointed him as king and changed his name to Zedekiah. His reign is marked by his rebellion against Babylon, which ultimately led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this in 2 Kings 24:17: "Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah."

2. Mattani'ah, the Levite Musician: Another Mattani'ah is mentioned as a Levite musician during the time of Nehemiah. He was one of the leaders of the temple choir and played a significant role in the worship practices of the restored community in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 11:17 states, "Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer." This Mattani'ah was part of the lineage of Asaph, a prominent family of temple musicians.

3. Mattani'ah, the Signer of the Covenant: In the book of Nehemiah, Mattani'ah is also listed among those who sealed the covenant, a solemn agreement to follow the Law of God, as the people of Israel recommitted themselves to the covenantal relationship with Yahweh. Nehemiah 10:9 includes him in the list: "The Levites: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel, and their associates—Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Bani, and Beninu."

4. Mattani'ah, the Father of Zechariah: In the genealogical records of the post-exilic community, Mattani'ah is mentioned as the father of Zechariah, who was one of the priests. This is found in 1 Chronicles 9:15 : "Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mika, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph."

The various references to individuals named Mattani'ah highlight the commonality of the name during the biblical period and reflect the diverse roles played by those who bore it, from royal figures to religious leaders and musicians. Each Mattani'ah contributed to the spiritual and communal life of Israel in distinct ways, whether through leadership, worship, or covenantal commitment.Mattani'ah (16 Occurrences)

2 Kings 24:17
And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 9:15
and Bakbakkar, Heresh, and Galal, and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph;
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1 Chronicles 25:4
Of Heman: the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth;
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1 Chronicles 25:16
The ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brethren, twelve;
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2 Chronicles 20:14
Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
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2 Chronicles 29:13
and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;
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Ezra 10:26
And of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Elijah.
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Ezra 10:27
And of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.
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Ezra 10:30
And of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.
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Ezra 10:37
Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasai;
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Nehemiah 11:17
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
(See RSV)

Nehemiah 11:22
The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of the house of God.
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Nehemiah 12:8
Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.
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Nehemiah 12:25
Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the store-houses of the gates.
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Nehemiah 12:35
and certain of the priests' sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph;
(See RSV)

Nehemiah 13:13
And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
(See RSV)

Mattani'ah (16 Occurrences)
Mattani'ah. Mattaniah, Mattani'ah. Mattatha . Multi-Version Concordance
Mattani'ah (16 Occurrences). 2 Kings 24:17 And the king ...
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Mattaniah (16 Occurrences)

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Mattatha (1 Occurrence)

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