The Hebrew word Maṭrêd, represented by H4308, is the name of an Edomitess meaning propulsive. This name appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, exclusively within a genealogical record. Its presence serves to identify the maternal lineage of a king's wife.
In the biblical narrative, H4308 is found in the genealogies of the kings of Edom. Both Genesis and 1 Chronicles record an almost identical entry stating that Mehetabel H4105, the wife of the king who reigned after Baal-hanan H1177 died H4191, was the "daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab" (Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:50). This places Maṭrêd as the mother of a queen and a key figure in establishing the royal family's lineage.
Several related words provide context for the role of Maṭrêd:
- H1323 bath (a daughter): This word is essential for understanding Maṭrêd's identity, as she is introduced as the parent of her own daughter, Mehetabel Genesis 36:39.
- H4105 Mᵉhêyṭabʼêl (bettered of God): The name of Maṭrêd's daughter, Mehetabel, whose marriage to the Edomite king is the reason for this lineage being recorded 1 Chronicles 1:50.
- H4314 Mêy Zâhâb (water of gold): The name of Maṭrêd's own parent, Mezahab, establishing a three-generation maternal line within the kingly records Genesis 36:39.
- H1924 Hădar (Hadar, an Edomite): The name of the king who reigned in Edom and married Maṭrêd's daughter, as recorded in the book of Genesis Genesis 36:39.
- H802 ʼishshâh (a woman; wife): This term identifies Mehetabel's status as the wife of the king, providing the context for why her mother, Maṭrêd, is mentioned 1 Chronicles 1:50.
The significance of H4308 is found entirely within its genealogical function.
- Genealogical Precision: The inclusion of Maṭrêd and her lineage demonstrates the detailed and specific nature of biblical records, which preserve historical and familial lines, even for non-Israelite nations like Edom.
- Maternal Lineage: In a record dominated by male rulers, the specific mention of Maṭrêd as the mother of Mehetabel, who is in turn the daughter of Mezahab, gives unusual prominence to the maternal line Genesis 36:39.
- Historical Context: By identifying the family of the queen, the mention of Maṭrêd provides a fuller historical picture of the Edomite monarchy, anchoring the reign of king Hadar (or Hadad) to a specific familial network.
In summary, H4308 Maṭrêd is an Edomitess whose name is preserved solely due to her place in the lineage of an Edomite queen. Though mentioned only twice, her inclusion in the genealogies of Genesis and 1 Chronicles highlights the scriptural importance of precise historical records and demonstrates that even seemingly minor figures contribute to the rich tapestry of the biblical narrative.
TRV