Mattathiah

Mattathiah is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the element mati- “gift” and Yahweh (“the LORD”). The name is also rendered as Mattithiah, Mattathiya, or Matathiah in various transliterations. It is a theophoric name common in ancient Hebrew onomastics.

In the Hebrew Bible, Mattathiah occurs as the name of more than one individual, typically in lists of Levites or priests and in genealogical records. The bearers are generally minor figures, and as with many biblical names from long genealogies, precise details about their lives are sparse. In some translations, the name appears for a priest or temple official, and in others it is seen among musicians or other temple personnel in the Davidic or post-exilic periods. The repeated appearance of the name across different lists reflects its popularity rather than a single famous person.

Variants and related forms include Mattithiah and Matathiah, which illustrate how Hebrew names were rendered differently in Greek, Latin, and English. The name is etymologically related to Mattathias, a more prominent figure in later Jewish history (not to be confused with the biblical Mattathiah), and the two forms are sometimes confused in English transliteration.

In modern usage, Mattathiah survives as a given name in Jewish and Christian contexts and is studied mainly in the context of biblical onomastics and genealogical lists. It is distinct from, though etymologically related to, other Hebrew names with the same root elements.