Lexical Summary Mattan: Mattan Original Word: מַתָּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mattan The same as mattan; Mattan, the name of a priest of Baal, and of an Israelite -- Mattan. see HEBREW mattan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nathan Definition a priest of Baal, also a man of Judah NASB Translation Mattan (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מַתָּן proper name, masculine 1. priest of Baal at Jerusalem 2 Kings 11:18 2Chronicles 23:17; ᵐ5 Μαγθαν, Ματθαν, ᵐ5L Ματθαν. 2 father of Shephatiah, in Judah Jeremiah 38:1; ᵐ5 Ναθαν, Μαθθα. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Setting 1. 2 Kings 11:18 – During the overthrow of Queen Athaliah, “They killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars”. Historical Background • Athaliah’s usurpation imported Baal worship into Judah. Mattan, as Baal’s leading priest in Jerusalem, symbolized that apostasy. His death marked the instant, public rejection of false worship and the re-enthronement of Davidic rule under the boy-king Joash. Theological Implications • Judgment on Idolatry. The fate of Mattan the priest demonstrates that God will not share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8). His execution before the shattered altars exposes Baal as powerless and vindicates the First Commandment. Lessons for Ministry 1. Spiritual leadership matters. A single unfaithful priest can draw thousands into error; a single faithful priest (Jehoiada) can reverse the tide. Typological and Prophetic Connections • Cleansing the Temple. Jehoiada’s actions anticipate the zeal of Jesus Christ in cleansing the Temple (John 2:15-17). Both acts confront false worship and restore proper praise. Summary Mattan appears briefly yet poignantly as the priest of Baal who fell under divine judgment, and as the father of an official who resisted Jeremiah. His name, ironically associated with a “gift,” serves as a warning: every supposed gift that lures hearts from the living God must be rejected. God’s unchanging purpose is to purge idolatry, uphold His covenant, and point His people to the ultimate, life-giving Gift fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations מַתָּ֗ן מַתָּן֙ מתן mat·tān matTan mattānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 11:18 HEB: הֵיטֵ֔ב וְאֵ֗ת מַתָּן֙ כֹּהֵ֣ן הַבַּ֔עַל NAS: and killed Mattan the priest KJV: and slew Mattan the priest INT: broke thoroughly Mattan the priest of Baal 2 Chronicles 23:17 Jeremiah 38:1 3 Occurrences |
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