Meaning & History
Mattathias is the Greek and Latinized form of the Hebrew name Mattithiah, meaning "gift of Yahweh." This transliteration appears in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (the Septuagint) and is used in some English versions of the New Testament. It also features prominently in the deuterocanonical Books of the Maccabees, where it belongs to the priest who initiated the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BC.
Etymology and Historical Context
The name Mattathias derives from the Hebrew roots mattaṯ meaning "gift" and yah, a shortened form of Yahweh, the Hebrew God—hence "gift of God." This name is borne by several minor figures in the Old Testament, but its most famous bearer is Mattathias ben Johanan, a Jewish priest from the village of Modi'in. According to the account in 1 Maccabees and the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus, Mattathias sparked the Maccabean Revolt around 167–166 BCE when he refused to offer a pagan sacrifice under the orders of Seleucid officials and killed a Greek officer and a Jewish collaborator. After his death, his sons—often called the Maccabees—continued the rebellion, eventually reclaiming the Temple in Jerusalem. The festival of Hanukkah commemorates the subsequent rededication of the Temple.
Notable Bearers and Cultural Significance
Beyond the original priest, the name Mattathias is historically uncommon except in religious contexts. In Jewish liturgy, Mattathias is mentioned in the Al HaNissim prayer recited during Hanukkah, thanking God for the victories led by him and his sons. The name also appears in some English Bible translations (e.g., Luke 3:25–26 in genealogies), though its variant Matthias (also from Greek Mattathias) is more familiar in the appointment of Judas Iscariot's replacement among the apostles (Acts 1:23–26). Related forms include the Hebrew Mattanyahu and Mattityahu, as well as the Greek Matthaios, whence the English name Matthew ultimately derives.
Key Facts
- Meaning: “gift of Yahweh”
- Origin: Hebrew, adapted into Greek and English
- Type: Religious and historical name
- Usage Regions: Primarily in English-speaking Christian contexts and Jewish tradition
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Mattathias