Original Word: מַתָּנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: mattanah
Pronunciation: mat-taw-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (mat-taw-naw')
KJV: gift
NASB: gifts, gift, bestowed, bribe, bribes, give
Word Origin: [feminine of H4976 (מַתּתָּן - gift)]

1. a present
2. specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe

gift

Feminine of mattan; a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe -- gift.

see HEBREW mattan

Word Origin
fem. of mattan
Definition
a gift
NASB Translation
bestowed (1), bribe (1), bribes (1), gift (3), gifts (10), give (1).

I. מַתָּנָה noun feminine gift; — absolute ׳מ Numbers 18:6 4t.; construct מַתְּנַת Deuteronomy 16:17; plural מַתָּנֹת Genesis 25:6 +, construct מַתְּנֹת Exodus 28:38, suffix מַתְּנֹתֵיכֶם Ezekiel 20:31 +, etc.; — gift, Genesis 25:6 (J) Ezekiel 46:16,17; 2Chronicles 21:3; offerings to ׳י Exodus 28:38 (מַתְּנֹת קָדְשֵׁיכֶם), Leviticus 23:38 (distinguished from נֶדֶר and נְדָבָה), Leviticus 18:29 (compare מַתָּנָם Leviticus 18:11; — all P); rejected (idolatrous) offerings Ezekiel 20:26,31,39; אִישׁ כְּמַתְּנַת יָדוֺ Deuteronomy 16:17 each man according to the gift of his hand, i.e. according to his ability; compare בָאָדָם ׳לָקַחְתָּ מ Psalm 68:19 thou (׳י) hast received gifts among men (i.e. either tribute gained by battle, compare Che, or the offerings of those who turn to ׳י Hup-Now; > gifts consisting of men JDMich Hengst Bö Ew DeW); ׳מ used of Levites, as God's gift to Aaron and his sons, Numbers 18:6, whose priesthood is ׳עֲבֹדַת מ Numbers 18:7, i.e. a service which is a gift from God; מַתָּנוֺת לָאֶבְיֹנִים Esther 9:22 gifts to the poor; = bribe Proverbs 15:27; Ecclesiastes 7:7.

Core Theme: Divine and Human Gifts

מַתָּנָה depicts the voluntary transfer of something valuable, whether from God to people, people to God, or one person to another. The term therefore gathers the rich biblical theology of grace, stewardship, and covenant responsibility into a single word.

Gifts in Patriarchal and Family Contexts

Genesis 25:6 records Abraham giving gifts to the sons of his concubines before sending them eastward. The action safeguards the promised line through Isaac yet shows practical care for all his offspring. Scripture thus introduces מַתָּנָה as a means of orderly succession and familial peace.

2 Chronicles 21:3 repeats the pattern: “Their father had given them many gifts of silver, gold, and precious things, together with fortified cities in Judah”. Jehoshaphat distributes wealth so that the royal line remains unified under Jehoram, illustrating how material gifts can preserve covenant purposes when guided by wisdom.

Gifts in Worship and Priesthood

Exodus 28:38, Leviticus 23:38, and three occurrences in Numbers 18 unite מַתָּנָה with Israel’s sacrificial system. In Numbers 18:6 the Levites themselves are called “a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD,” while Numbers 18:7 labels Aaron’s priesthood “a gift.” God not only receives offerings; He gives servants to facilitate worship. The mutual exchange reinforces that everything offered to God originates from His prior generosity.

Deuteronomy 16:17 extends this principle to every Israelite: “Everyone must appear with a gift as he is able, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you”. Worship is never disengaged from daily providence; the worshipper simply returns a portion of what the Lord already placed in his hand.

Festal and Communal Gifts

Esther 9:22 institutionalizes gift-giving during Purim, combining commemoration of deliverance with generosity toward the poor. The tradition underscores that redemptive memory produces tangible charity, mirroring the grace received.

Divine Victory and Messianic Gifts

Psalm 68:18 declares, “When You ascended on high, You led captives; You received gifts from men”. The verse pictures the triumphant Lord gathering tribute. Paul cites it in Ephesians 4:8, showing the ascended Christ dispensing spiritual gifts to the church. Thus מַתָּנָה anticipates New Testament charismata, rooting Christian ministry gifts in Old Testament vocabulary.

Gifts as Bribes and Instruments of Corruption

Proverbs 15:27 warns, “He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live”. Ecclesiastes 7:7 agrees that “a bribe corrupts the heart.” When gifts become payments that twist justice, מַתָּנָה stands condemned. The same word that describes holy offerings can describe moral decay when motive is evil.

Illicit Gifts in Idolatry

Ezekiel 20:26, 20:31, and 20:39 cast Israel’s pagan sacrifices as “your gifts,” a tragic misuse of resources intended for Yahweh. The prophet’s scathing tone demonstrates that gifts offered to false gods are spiritual adultery. What should symbolize gratitude now signals rebellion.

Royal Land Grants in the Millennial Vision

Ezekiel 46:16–17 regulates the prince’s inheritance: gifts to sons become permanent, gifts to servants revert at the Jubilee. Even in prophetic anticipation, God safeguards equity in the land. Gifts honor family continuity without undermining tribal allotments, marrying generosity with justice.

Theological and Ministry Implications

1. Everything originates with God; human giving is derivative.
2. Gifts structure worship: God gives priests; believers give offerings; both actions reflect covenant intimacy.
3. Stewardship extends to property, inheritance, and social welfare, demanding intentional distribution, never exploitation.
4. Misused gifts—whether bribes or idolatrous offerings—invite judgment, showing that motive distinguishes worship from wickedness.
5. Christ, the ascended King, both receives and bestows gifts, equipping the church for service. Old Testament מַתָּנָה therefore enriches New Testament teaching on spiritual gifts.

Practical Applications

• Encourage believers to trace every resource back to divine generosity and respond with thankful giving.
• Guard leadership against corruption by keeping offerings transparent and motive-pure.
• Highlight festivals and communal meals (such as Purim) as models for charitable outreach.
• Teach spiritual gifts as the New Covenant extension of מַתָּנָה, fostering mutual edification in the body of Christ.

Through these seventeen occurrences, Scripture portrays מַתָּנָה as a thread weaving grace, responsibility, and worship into the life of God’s people, urging every generation to receive gratefully and give faithfully.

בְּמַתְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם בְּמַתְּנוֹתָ֔ם במתנותיכם במתנותם וּמַתָּנ֖וֹת ומתנות כְּמַתְּנַ֣ת כמתנת מַ֭תָּנוֹת מַתְּנֹ֖ת מַתְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם מַתְּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֡ם מַתְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם מַתָּנ֨וֹת מַתָּנָ֗ה מַתָּנָ֜ה מַתָּנָ֤ה מַתָּנָֽה׃ מַתָּנָה֙ מַתָּנֹ֑ת מַתָּנֹ֣ת מתנה מתנה׃ מתנות מתנותיכם מתנת מתנתיכם bə·mat·tə·nō·w·ṯām bə·mat·tə·nō·w·ṯê·ḵem bemattenoTam bemattenoteiChem bəmattənōwṯām bəmattənōwṯêḵem kə·mat·tə·naṯ kematteNat kəmattənaṯ mat·tā·nāh mat·tā·nō·wṯ mat·tā·nōṯ mat·tə·nō·ṯê·ḵem mat·tə·nō·w·ṯê·ḵem mat·tə·nōṯ mattaNah mattānāh mattaNot mattānōṯ mattānōwṯ matteNot mattənōṯ mattenoteiChem mattənōṯêḵem mattənōwṯêḵem ū·mat·tā·nō·wṯ umattaNot ūmattānōwṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts