What does מַתָּנָה mean in the Bible?
מַתָּנָה is a Hebrew word meaning "a present ; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering , (in a bad sense) a bribe".
Hebrew · H4979
מַתָּנָה
A present ; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering , (in a bad sense) a bribe
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
מַתָּנָהH4979
What does מַתָּנָה mean in the Bible?
מַתָּנָה is a Hebrew word meaning "a present ; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering , (in a bad sense) a bribe".
Full entry for מַתָּנָה (H4979) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4979?
The BSB source-word alignment has 17 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include gifts (4), a gift (2), as a gift (2), [and in addition] to your gifts (1), [and] (1).
Where does מַתָּנָה appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 25:6. Its strongest book concentrations include Ezekiel (5), Numbers (3), 2 Chronicles (1), Deuteronomy (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itgifts4×Genesis 25:6, Exodus 28:38, 2 Chronicles 21:3, Psalms 68:18
a gift2×Ezekiel 46:16, Ezekiel 46:17
as a gift2×Numbers 18:6, Numbers 18:7
[and in addition] to your gifts1×Leviticus 23:38
[and]1×Esther 9:22
and a bribe1×Ecclesiastes 7:7
bribes1×Proverbs 15:27
gift1×Numbers 18:29
must appear with a gift1×Deuteronomy 16:17
through their gifts1×Ezekiel 20:26
with your gifts1×Ezekiel 20:39
your gifts1×Ezekiel 20:31
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 25:6מַתָּנֹ֑תtogiftsNoun - feminine pluralExodus 28:38מַתְּנֹ֖תtogiftsNoun - feminine plural constructLeviticus 23:38מַתְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗םto[and in addition] to your giftsNoun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine pluralNumbers 18:6מַתָּנָ֤הtoas a giftNoun - feminine singularNumbers 18:7מַתָּנָ֗הtoas a giftNoun - feminine singularNumbers 18:29מַתְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םtogiftNoun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine pluralDeuteronomy 16:17כְּמַתְּנַ֣תtomust appear with a giftPreposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct2 Chronicles 21:3מַתָּנ֨וֹתtogiftsNoun - feminine pluralEsther 9:22וּמַתָּנ֖וֹתto[and]Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine pluralPsalms 68:18מַ֭תָּנוֹתtogiftsNoun - feminine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 25:6
Aligned rows17
Books represented11
Genesis1Exodus1Leviticus1Numbers3Deuteronomy12 Chronicles1Esther1Psalms1Proverbs1Ecclesiastes1Ezekiel5
Source forms
בְּמַתְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם1xbə·mat·tə·nō·w·ṯê·ḵemEzekiel 20:39
בְּמַתְּנוֹתָ֔ם1xbə·mat·tə·nō·w·ṯāmEzekiel 20:26
וּמַתָּנ֖וֹת1xū·mat·tā·nō·wṯEsther 9:22
כְּמַתְּנַ֣ת1xkə·mat·tə·naṯDeuteronomy 16:17
מַתָּנָ֤ה1xmat·tā·nāhNumbers 18:6
מַתָּנָ֗ה1xmat·tā·nāhNumbers 18:7
מַתָּנָה֙1xmat·tā·nāhEzekiel 46:16
מַתָּנָ֜ה1xmat·tā·nāhEzekiel 46:17
Parsing patterns
Noun - feminine singular5xNumbers 18:6, Numbers 18:7, Ecclesiastes 7:7, Ezekiel 46:16
Noun - feminine plural4xGenesis 25:6, 2 Chronicles 21:3, Psalms 68:18, Proverbs 15:27
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural3xLeviticus 23:38, Numbers 18:29, Ezekiel 20:31
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural1xEsther 9:22
Noun - feminine plural construct1xExodus 28:38
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural1xEzekiel 20:39
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural1xEzekiel 20:26
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct1xDeuteronomy 16:17
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. a present ; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering , (in a bad sense) a bribe
Source Gloss
a present ; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering , (in a bad sense) a bribe
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe BDB: gift Usage: gift.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Word Origins
מַתָּנָה is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.