Lexical Summary
matteh or mattah: tribe, staff, tribes
Original Word:מַטֶּה
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:matteh
Pronunciation:mat-teh' or mat-tah'
Phonetic Spelling:(mat-teh')
KJV: rod, staff, tribe
NASB:tribe, staff, tribes, rod, tribal, rods, branch
Word Origin:[fromH5186 (נָטָה - stretched)]
1. a branch (as extending)
2. (figuratively) a tribe
3. also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff
4. (figuratively) a support of life, e.g. bread)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
rod, staff, tribe
Or (feminine) mattah {mat-taw'}; fromnatah; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. Bread) -- rod, staff, tribe.
see HEBREWnatah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
natahDefinitiona staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe
NASB Translationbranch (3), branches (1), half-tribe* (13), rod (18), rods (6), scepter (2), spears (1), staff (33), staffs (1), supply (1), tribal (8), tribe (140), tribes (20).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
251Exodus 4:17 (
Micah 6:9 according to , but dubious, see below)
.
.
(Ecclus 48:2staff, Ecclesiasticus 45:6; Ecclesiasticus 45:25tribe); — absoluteGenesis 38:25 +; constructExodus 4:20 +; suffixGenesis 38:18 5t.,Exodus 8:1,Isaiah 10:24 10t.; plural1 Kings 8:1 +, etc.; suffixExodus 7:12;Numbers 17:21; alsoHabakkuk 3:14 (but read or — Gr — ); —
(compare , )staff of travellerGenesis 38:18,25 (J); in GeneralIsaiah 10:15 (simile; "" ); from staff as support comes figurativestaff of bread (food supply)Ezekiel 4:16;Ezekiel 5:16;Ezekiel 14:13;Leviticus 26:26;Psalm 105:16; of staff or rod, Moses as shepherdExodus 4:2,4;Exodus 7:15 (J),Exodus 4:17;Exodus 7:17,20;Exodus 9:23;Exodus 10:13;Exodus 17:5 (all E); compare alsoIsaiah 10:26;Exodus 14:16;Numbers 20:8,9,11 (all P); calledExodus 4:20;Exodus 17:9 (both E), because of miraculous power connected with it; compare mirac. rod of AaronExodus 7:9,10,12,19;Exodus 8:1;Exodus 8:12;Exodus 8:13 (all P), and of Egyptian magiciansExodus 7:12 (twice in verse) (P); compare Aaron's rod that buddedNumbers 17:18;Numbers 17:21;Numbers 17:23;Numbers 17:25 (compare RSSemitic i. 180; 2d ed. 197); carried even by warrior1 Samuel 14:27,43;Isaiah 9:3 i.e. rod that strikes his shoulder, task-master's rod ("" ), compareIsaiah 10:5 andIsaiah 10:24;Isaiah 14:5 ("" ), all figurative of oppression;Isaiah 30:32appointed rod (of punishment); compareEzekiel 7:10,11 (but text obscure, Co — q. v. —sceptre), alsoMicah 6:9 according to , but see below
; () fennelIsaiah 28:27;staff as badge of leader or rulerJeremiah 48:17 ("" ), comparePsalm 110:2; soNumbers 17:17 (4 t. in verse) + 10 t.Numbers 17; apparentlyshafts, i.e. arrows or spears,Habakkuk 3:9,14 (compare Now Da GASm).
branch of vineEzekiel 19:11,12,14 (twice in verse).
tribe (183 t.), originally company led by chief withstaff: specifically of tribes of Israel in both singular and plural,1 Kings 7:14;1 Kings 8:1 2Chronicles 5:2;Exodus 31:2 5t. Exodus;Leviticus 24:11;Numbers 1:4 89t. Numbers;Joshua 7:1 56t. Joshua (all P);1 Chronicles 6:45 21t.1 Chronicles 6;1 Chronicles 12:31; probably alsoMicah 6:9 (vocative; so We Now GASm). — compare , and on relation of these two words fortribe Hebrew usage DrJPhoenician xi. (1882), 213 f.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usageמַטֶּה appears about 252 times and carries two closely related ideas: a physical rod or staff, and, by extension, a tribe as the organized body under that rod. Whether in shepherding, national census, prophetic warning, or messianic anticipation, the term points to delegated authority set in motion by God.
Symbol of Authority and Leadership
• Patriarchs: Jacob crossed the Jordan “with only my staff” (Genesis 32:10), acknowledging God’s faithfulness from solitary wanderer to family head.
• Exodus Leadership: The staff in Moses’ hand became the emblem of his commission. “But take this staff in your hand so you can perform signs with it” (Exodus 4:17). Pharaoh’s magicians wielded counterfeit staves, but God’s rod swallowed theirs (Exodus 7:12), underscoring divine supremacy.
• Kingship and Rule: Even when מַטֶּה is translated “scepter,” the concept remains one of rightful dominion (Ezekiel 19:11;Zechariah 10:11).
Instrument of Divine Power and Miraculous Signs
• Plagues: With an outstretched staff the Nile turned to blood (Exodus 7:20).
• Red Sea: “Lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it” (Exodus 14:16).
• Wilderness Provision: The rock at Horeb yielded water when struck by the staff (Exodus 17:5–6), prefiguring Christ the smitten Rock who gives living water (1 Corinthians 10:4).
• Confirming Priesthood: Aaron’s rod sprouted overnight—“blossomed and produced almonds” (Numbers 17:8)—ending rebellion and authenticating God-chosen mediators.
Tribal Identity and Organizational Structure
Each tribal unit is a מַטֶּה because governance rested in a leader’s staff. Census lists (Numbers 1–4; 26) are arranged “according to the tribes of their fathers” (Numbers 26:55), revealing a divinely ordered community. Land allotments, military musters, and worship service were all coordinated by tribe, displaying both diversity and oneness in covenant life.
Tool of Judgment and Correction
• Assyrian Rod: “O My people… do not fear the Assyrians, who beat you with a rod” (Isaiah 10:24). God may raise up foreign powers as corrective staves, yet He also “has broken the staff of the wicked” (Isaiah 14:5).
• Shepherd’s Discipline:Psalm 23 uses a related pairing (“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”) to blend protection with guidance, reminding believers that God’s discipline is restorative, not destructive (Hebrews 12:6-11).
Support and Pilgrimage
The staff is the pilgrim’s aid. Israel ate the Passover “with your staff in your hand” (Exodus 12:11), ready for departure. Later prophets denounce Egypt as “that broken reed of a staff” (2 Kings 18:21), warning against false supports and calling God’s people to lean on Him alone.
Prophetic Imagery and Eschatological Hope
Zechariah names two staves, Favor and Union (Zechariah 11:7), dramatizing covenant grace and national unity. When Favor is broken, it signals judgment; when Union is broken, it foreshadows Israel’s scattering. Yet God promises restoration: “The LORD of Hosts will brandish His staff over the sea” (Zechariah 10:11), assuring final deliverance.
Christological Foreshadowing
Moses’ staff points to Christ’s cross—an emblem of weakness that becomes the means of triumph. Aaron’s budding rod anticipates resurrection life issuing from what seemed dead. The messianic Shepherd rules with a rod yet comforts His flock, uniting mercy and sovereignty (compareRevelation 19:15 withJohn 10:11).
Practical Ministry Lessons
1. God chooses ordinary instruments to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
2. Authentic leadership is confirmed by divine power, not human acclaim.
3. Discipline administered under God’s authority serves the good of the flock.
4. Unity amid diversity is maintained when every tribe gathers at the Tent of Meeting around God’s presence.
5. The believer’s journey requires leaning on the unfailing staff of the Shepherd, rejecting broken reeds.
Key References
Genesis 32:10;Exodus 4:2–17;Exodus 7:19–20;Exodus 12:11;Exodus 14:16;Exodus 17:5–6;Numbers 1:4;Numbers 17:2–10;Deuteronomy 29:9;Judges 6:21;1 Samuel 14:43;1 Kings 17:1;2 Kings 18:21;Psalm 23:4;Isaiah 10:24;Isaiah 14:5;Isaiah 30:32;Ezekiel 19:11;Ezekiel 29:6;Zechariah 10:11;Zechariah 11:7-14;Hebrews 9:4;Revelation 19:15.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּמַטֵּ֖הוּ בְּמַטֶּ֔ךָ בְמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ בְמַטָּיו֙ בַּמַּטֶּ֣ה בַּמַּטֶּה֙ בַמַּטֶּ֛ה במטה במטהו במטיו במטך הַמַּטֶּ֑ה הַמַּטֶּ֔ה הַמַּטֶּ֖ה הַמַּטֶּ֗ה הַמַּטֶּ֡ה הַמַּטֶּ֥ה הַמַּטֶּ֧ה הַמַּטֶּֽה׃ הַמַּטֶּה֙ הַמַּטֹּ֔ת הַמַּטֹּ֖ת הַמַּטֹּת֙ הַמַּטּ֔וֹת הַמַּטּ֖וֹת הַמַּטּ֜וֹת הַמַּטּוֹת֙ הַמַּטּוֹת֩ המטה המטה׃ המטות המטת וְהַמַּטֶּ֖ה וְהַמַּטֶּ֛ה וְמַטֵּ֖ה וּֽמִמַּטֵּה־ וּלְמַטֵּ֥ה וּלְמַטֵּה֙ וּמִ֨מַּטֵּה־ וּמִמַּ֨טֵּה־ וּמִמַּטֵּ֖ה וּמִמַּטֵּ֣ה וּמִמַּטֵּ֤ה וּמִמַּטֵּ֨ה וּמִמַּטֵּֽה־ וּמִמַּטֵּה־ וּמַטְּךָ֖ וּמַטְּךָ֗ וּמַטֵּ֖ה וּמַטֵּ֙הוּ֙ וּמַטֵּ֥ה וּמַטֵּ֥הוּ וּמַטֶּה־ והמטה ולמטה ומטה ומטה־ ומטהו ומטך וממטה וממטה־ לְמַטֵּ֛ה לְמַטֵּ֣ה לְמַטֵּ֤ה לְמַטֵּ֥ה לְמַטֵּה־ לְמַטֶּ֖ה לְמַטֶּ֣ה לְמַטּ֥וֹת לְמַטּוֹת֩ לַמַּטֶּ֑ה לַמַּטֶּ֔ה לַמַּטֶּ֖ה למטה למטה־ למטות מִמַּטֵּ֖ה מִמַּטֵּ֣ה מִמַּטֵּ֤ה מִמַּטֵּ֥ה מִמַּטֵּ֨ה מִמַּטֵּה֙ מִמַּטֵּה־ מִמַּטֶּ֑ה מִמַּטֶּ֖ה מִמַּטּוֹת֮ מַטְּךָ֔ מַטְּךָ֗ מַטְּךָ֛ מַטְּךָ֣ מַטֵּ֔הוּ מַטֵּ֖ה מַטֵּ֗הוּ מַטֵּ֣ה מַטֵּ֣הוּ מַטֵּ֤ה מַטֵּ֥ה מַטֵּ֧ה מַטֵּ֨ה מַטֵּֽה־ מַטֵּֽהוּ׃ מַטֵּה־ מַטֵּהוּ֮ מַטֶּ֑ה מַטֶּ֖ה מַטֶּ֣ה מַטֶּ֨ה מַטֶּֽה׃ מַטֶּה֩ מַטֹּתָֽם׃ מַטּ֑וֹת מַטּ֖וֹת מַטּ֣וֹת מַטּוֹתָֽם׃ מַטּוֹת־ מטה מטה־ מטה׃ מטהו מטהו׃ מטות מטות־ מטותם׃ מטך מטתם׃ ממטה ממטה־ ממטות bam·maṭ·ṭeh ḇam·maṭ·ṭeh bammatTeh bammaṭṭeh ḇammaṭṭeh ḇə·maṭ·ṭāw bə·maṭ·ṭê·hū ḇə·maṭ·ṭê·hū bə·maṭ·ṭe·ḵā ḇəmaṭṭāw bematTecha bematTehu bəmaṭṭêhū ḇəmaṭṭêhū bəmaṭṭeḵā ham·maṭ·ṭeh ham·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ ham·maṭ·ṭōṯ hammatTeh hammaṭṭeh hammatTot hammaṭṭōṯ hammaṭṭōwṯ lam·maṭ·ṭeh lammatTeh lammaṭṭeh lə·maṭ·ṭeh lə·maṭ·ṭêh lə·maṭ·ṭêh- lə·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ lematTeh ləmaṭṭeh ləmaṭṭêh ləmaṭṭêh- lematTot ləmaṭṭōwṯ maṭ·ṭê·hū maṭ·ṭə·ḵā maṭ·ṭeh maṭ·ṭêh maṭ·ṭêh- maṭ·ṭō·ṯām maṭ·ṭō·w·ṯām maṭ·ṭō·wṯ maṭ·ṭō·wṯ- matteCha matTeh maṭṭeh maṭṭêh maṭṭêh- matTehu maṭṭêhū maṭṭəḵā matTot mattoTam maṭṭōṯām maṭṭōwṯ maṭṭōwṯ- maṭṭōwṯām mim·maṭ·ṭeh mim·maṭ·ṭêh mim·maṭ·ṭêh- mim·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ mimatTeh mimattOt mimmaṭṭeh mimmaṭṭêh mimmaṭṭêh- mimmaṭṭōwṯ ū·lə·maṭ·ṭêh ū·maṭ·ṭê·hū ū·maṭ·ṭə·ḵā ū·maṭ·ṭêh ū·maṭ·ṭeh- ū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh ū·mim·maṭ·ṭêh- ulematTeh ūləmaṭṭêh umatteCha umatTeh ūmaṭṭêh ūmaṭṭeh- umatTehu ūmaṭṭêhū ūmaṭṭəḵā umimatTeh ūmimmaṭṭêh ūmimmaṭṭêh- vammatTeh vehammatTeh vematTav vematTeh vematTehu wə·ham·maṭ·ṭeh wə·maṭ·ṭêh wəhammaṭṭeh wəmaṭṭêh
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