The Greek word Matthát, represented by G3158, is a proper name defined as probably a shortened form of Ματταθίας. The definition specifies that Matthat is the name of two Israelites. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, exclusively serving to identify individuals within a genealogy.
Both occurrences of G3158 are found in the genealogy of Jesus presented in the Gospel of Luke. The name identifies two different men in the ancestral line. The first instance appears in Luke 3:24, where Matthat is identified as the son of Levi and an ancestor of Joseph. The second instance is in Luke 3:29, where another man named Matthat, also a son of Levi, is listed as the father of Jorim.
Several related names appear alongside Matthát in the genealogical record:
- G3017 Leuḯ (Levi): This name is directly linked to Matthat, as both individuals named Matthat are identified as a "son of Levi" (Luke 3:24, Luke 3:29). Its definition is "Levi, the name of three Israelites."
- G2497 Iōreím (Jorim): This individual is listed as the direct son of the second Matthat Luke 3:29. The name is defined simply as "Jorim, an Israelite."
- G3197 Melchí (Melchi): In the lineage of the first Matthat, Melchi is listed as his grandson Luke 3:24. The name is defined as "Melchi (i.e. Malki), the name of two Israelites."
- G2501 Iōsḗph (Joseph): The lineage passing through the first Matthat eventually leads to Joseph Luke 3:24. The name is defined as "Joseph, the name of seven Israelites."
The significance of G3158 is purely genealogical and structural. It does not carry theological weight on its own but is crucial for the integrity of the ancestral record.
- Genealogical Link: The primary role of Matthat is to serve as a specific link connecting generations in the lineage of Jesus as recorded in Luke's Gospel.
- Historical Detail: The presence of two distinct individuals named Matthat underscores the detailed and specific nature of the genealogy, highlighting that names could be repeated across different generations.
- Ancestral Authentication: By being part of this detailed list, the name contributes to the Bible's presentation of a historically-grounded lineage for Jesus.
In summary, G3158 Matthát is a proper name whose sole function in the biblical narrative is to identify two ancestors within the Lukan genealogy. It is not a conceptual word but a specific marker of identity. Its importance lies in its contribution to the meticulous record-keeping that establishes the human ancestry of Jesus, demonstrating the detailed nature of the biblical genealogies.
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