Meaning & History
Mattan is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "gift." It appears in the Old Testament (specifically in 2 Kings and Jeremiah) as the name of a priest of Baal and also as the father of Shephatiah. The name is rare today but holds biblical significance.
Etymology
Mattan is derived from the Hebrew root ntn (נתן), meaning "to give," making Mattan semantically equivalent to 'gift.' This root also yields other biblical names such as Nathan ("he gave") and Jonathan/Yehonatan ("God has given").
Notable Bearers
In the Bible, Mattan is the father of Shephatiah, mentioned in Jeremiah 38:1 as a royal official during the reign of King Zedekiah. Another Mattan (or Mattan the priest) served Baal in Jerusalem and was killed during the reforms of King Jehoash (2 Kings 11:18). These figures illustrate the name's appearance in the monarchic period of Judah.
Related Forms
The Latin form is Matthan, appearing in ecclesiastical contexts, while the modern Hebrew equivalent is Matan, which remains in use in Israel. These variants share the same etymology and biblical heritage.
Historical Context
Located within the scope of the Hebrew Bible, Mattan reflects a common theophoric and non-theophoric naming pattern in ancient Semitic cultures. Names based on the root ntn express gratitude or recognition of a divine gift. While Mattan itself does not contain a divine element (El, Yah), its meaning and usage remain tied to religious devotion.
- Meaning: "Gift"
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: Given name
- Usage: Biblical (English and Hebrew Bible contexts)