### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Maṭrîy**, represented by `{{H4309}}`, is the name of an Israelite family. Based on the root word for "rainy," it appears **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible. Its sole appearance serves to identify a specific family within the tribe of Benjamin during a pivotal moment in Israel's history.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single biblical context for `{{H4309}}` is the selection of Israel's first king in [[1 Samuel 10:21]]. In this narrative, the tribe of Benjamin `{{H1144}}` is caused to come near `{{H7126}}`, and from its families `{{H4940}}`, the family of **Matri** is taken `{{H3920}}` by lot. This process of elimination ultimately identifies Saul `{{H7586}}`, the son `{{H1121}}` of Kish `{{H7027}}`, as the one chosen to be king. The mention of **Matri** is a crucial genealogical step in this divine appointment.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the selection process involving the family of Matri:
* `{{H4940}}` **mishpâchâh** (family): This word, used for the family of **Matri**, denotes a circle of relatives and is the foundational social unit through which Saul is identified [[1 Samuel 10:21]].
* `{{H3920}}` **lâkad** (taken): This term describes the selection of the family of Matri and then Saul. Its definition includes "to choose (by lot)," which is precisely the method used in this event [[1 Samuel 10:21]].
* `{{H1144}}` **Binyâmîyn** (Benjamin): This is the tribe to which the family of **Matri** and Saul belonged. The name means "son of (the) right hand" [[1 Samuel 10:21]].
* `{{H7586}}` **Shâʼûwl** (Saul): The individual identified through the lineage of **Matri**. His name means "asked," and he was a member of this family [[1 Samuel 10:21]].
* `{{H7027}}` **Qîysh** (Kish): The father of Saul and a member of the Matrite family, establishing the direct parentage of Israel's first king [[1 Samuel 10:21]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4309}}` is found entirely in its role within the narrative of divine selection.
* **Genealogical Marker for Kingship:** The family of **Matri** is significant because it is the specific clan chosen by God to produce Israel's first monarch. It serves as a key link in the chain of identification, narrowing the choice from a tribe `{{H7626}}` to a family `{{H4940}}` and then to an individual [[1 Samuel 10:21]].
* **Divine Providence in Human Structures:** The use of the Matrite family in the selection process illustrates how God works through established societal structures. His sovereign choice was revealed not by a random miracle, but through the orderly system of Israelite tribes and families.
* **Specificity of God's Choice:** By naming the family of **Matri**, the text emphasizes the precise and deliberate nature of God's plan. Saul's appointment was not an accident but a specific calling tied to his lineage within the tribe of Benjamin `{{H1144}}`.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4309}}` **Maṭrîy** is a name that, while appearing only once, carries significant weight in its context. It is not the subject of extensive doctrine but functions as a critical genealogical marker in the biblical account of Saul's anointing. The mention of this family highlights the specific, orderly, and divinely guided process that established the monarchy in Israel, showing how God's purpose unfolds through the designated lineages of His people.
TRV