Matityahu

Matityahu is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, often rendered in English as Mattathiah, Mattathias, or Mattityahu. It derives from Hebrew elements meaning gift and Yahweh, commonly interpreted as “Gift of Yahweh” or “Gift of God.” The form Matityahu is the Hebrew version of the name Matthew and appears in Jewish and Christian tradition.

Notable figures associated with the name include Mattathias (Matityahu), the Hasmonean priest who, around 166 BCE, sparked the Maccabean revolt by refusing to offer sacrifices to pagan gods. He died soon after naming his son Judas Maccabeus his successor, and his leadership helped catalyze a broader Jewish uprising and the rededication of the Temple.

In Christian tradition, Matityahu is the Hebrew name of the Apostle Matthew, one of Jesus’s Twelve, who is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. In the New Testament, he is described as a tax collector who was called by Jesus to follow him. Scholarly discussions about authorship and identity sometimes note the Hebrew form Matityahu when referring to this figure, though many English texts use Matthew.

Usage today varies by community, with Matityahu remaining a common given name in Hebrew-speaking populations and among Jewish and Christian communities more broadly. Diminutives and nicknames include Mati and Motti. The name connects to broader naming traditions that honor biblical figures and the theophoric element relating to Yahweh.