### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun מַטְרִי (Maṭrîy), Strong's `{{H4309}}`, is derived from the root מָטָר (matar) `{{H4305}}`, which means "to rain" or "to send rain." The base definition provided indicates a meaning of "rainy." As a personal or family name, its etymological meaning would suggest a connection to rain, perhaps implying characteristics such as fruitfulness, blessing, or divine provision, given the vital role of rain for life and agriculture in the ancient Near East. Proper names in the biblical world often carried significant meaning, reflecting hopes, circumstances of birth, or a descriptive quality of the individual or lineage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name מַטְרִי (Maṭrîy) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, specifically in [[1 Samuel 10:21]]. In this passage, the prophet Samuel is overseeing the selection of Israel's first king by lot, as commanded by God. The process unfolds in stages:
"Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families, and the family of Matri was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken from them."
Here, מַטְרִי is identified as a family or clan within the tribe of Benjamin. Its sole purpose in this context is to precisely locate the lineage of Saul, who is subsequently chosen as king. The text provides no further narrative details or descriptive information about Matri or the family of Matri beyond this genealogical identification. The significance of the mention is purely structural, establishing Saul's tribal and familial origin as part of the divinely orchestrated selection process.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the verbal root מָטָר (matar) `{{H4305}}`, meaning "to rain." This root is frequently used throughout the Old Testament to describe God's activity in providing rain, often linking it to divine blessing, covenant faithfulness, and sustenance (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 11:14]], [[Job 5:10]], [[Psalm 68:9]]). Other related terms include גֶּשֶׁם (geshem) `{{H1653}}`, another common Hebrew word for "rain." The concept of divine provision through natural phenomena, particularly rain, is a pervasive theme in biblical theology. Furthermore, the mention of Matri is deeply embedded in the biblical practice of genealogy and lineage, which serves to establish historical credibility, tribal identity, and often, a theological framework for divine election and covenant.
### Theological Significance
While מַטְרִי (Maṭrîy) itself is a minor figure, serving a purely genealogical function, its etymological root "rainy" carries significant theological resonance. In the biblical worldview, rain is not merely a meteorological phenomenon but a direct gift from God, symbolizing His blessing, provision, and covenant faithfulness (e.g., [[Leviticus 26:4]], [[Deuteronomy 28:12]], [[Jeremiah 5:24]]). A name like "Matri" could, therefore, subtly evoke a sense of a blessed or fruitful lineage, perhaps reflecting a hope or acknowledgment of divine favor upon that family.
However, the biblical text does not elaborate on this potential etymological meaning in relation to Matri's family. Instead, the theological significance of Matri lies primarily in its role within the narrative of God's selection of Israel's first king. The meticulous process of selection by lot, moving from tribe to family (Matri), and then to individual (Saul), underscores God's sovereignty and His precise involvement in the establishment of leadership. The family of Matri, regardless of the potential meaning of its name, is chosen by divine decree, emphasizing that God's purposes are fulfilled through specific, identifiable human structures, yet always by His ultimate will.
### Summary
מַטְרִי (Maṭrîy), Strong's `{{H4309}}`, is a Hebrew proper name derived from the root מָטָר (matar), meaning "to rain." This etymology suggests a potential meaning of "rainy," hinting at concepts of blessing, provision, or fruitfulness, as rain is a profound symbol of divine favor in the biblical context. The name appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[1 Samuel 10:21]], where "the family of Matri" is identified as the clan within the tribe of Benjamin from which Saul, Israel's first king, was chosen by lot. The primary function of the name in its biblical context is genealogical, serving to precisely locate Saul within the tribal structure. While the name's underlying meaning is rich with theological implications concerning divine provision, the biblical narrative itself does not expand on this. Instead, Matri's significance is found in its role as a key marker in the divinely orchestrated selection of Israel's first monarch, illustrating God's sovereign choice operating through established human lineages.
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