Word Study for H4976 (מַתָּן)

mattân /mat-tawn'/ Ask about this word

Meaninga present

KJV usagegift, to give, reward.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mattân — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mattân, represented by H4976, means a present or gift. It is derived from the root word for "to give" and appears 5 times in 5 unique verses. The term consistently refers to a tangible item given to another, whether to gain favor, fulfill an obligation, or as part of a sacred offering.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H4976 is applied in several distinct contexts. In the book of Proverbs, a gift is shown to be a powerful tool for social navigation, making room for a person and bringing them before great men Proverbs 18:16. It is also a means of securing friendship, particularly with influential figures like a prince Proverbs 19:6. A gift given in secret is described as being able to pacify anger and strong wrath Proverbs 21:14. The term is also used in a transactional sense, requested alongside a dowry for a wife Genesis 34:12, and in a sacred context, describing the gift portion of the heave offering designated for the priests Numbers 18:11.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to clarify the meaning of H4976 within the broader theme of giving:

H5414 nâthan (to give): As the primitive root from which mattân is derived, this word has a vast range of applications, meaning to give, put, make, or bestow. It is the fundamental action behind every gift.
H7810 shachad (reward): This word for a gift or present often carries the connotation of a bribe or a donation for redemptive purposes. It is used in parallel with mattân to describe something that pacifies wrath Proverbs 21:14.
H4119 môhar (dowry): This term refers specifically to the price paid for a wife. It appears directly alongside mattân in the request for Dinah's hand in marriage, highlighting a specific cultural use of gift-giving Genesis 34:12.

Theological Significance

The practical and theological weight of H4976 is seen in its function within relationships and worship.

Gaining Access and Favor: The word illustrates the principle that a gift can open doors and build alliances. It is presented as a way to gain an audience with "great men" and to befriend a "prince" (Proverbs 18:16, Proverbs 19:6).
Reconciling Relationships: A mattân is shown to be a powerful tool for de-escalating conflict. A gift given "in secret" is capable of pacifying anger, and a "reward in the bosom" can turn away "strong wrath" Proverbs 21:14.
Sacred Provision: The term is elevated to a religious context where the gift of the people becomes part of the heave offering, given to the priests and their families as a "statute for ever" Numbers 18:11.

Summary

In summary, H4976 mattân encapsulates the tangible impact of a gift. Though used sparingly, it carries significant weight, demonstrating how a present can influence social standing, resolve personal conflict, and function as a sacred act of provision. It highlights a practical reality of human interaction while also finding a place within the framework of Israel's covenantal offerings.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 5 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

מַתָּן
מַתָּנָ

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Proverbs (3 verses); never once in the other 36.

Genesis

Numbers

Proverbs

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.