מַטֵּ֧ה
𐤌𐤈𐤄
mateh-2
the tribe of
or (feminine) מַטָּה; from נָטָה; 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.
Joshua 21:5 · Word #10
Lexicon H4294
| Lemma | מַטֶּה |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤌𐤈𐤄 |
| Transliteration | maṭṭeh |
| Strong's | H4294 |
| In-context | the tribe of |
Morphology HNcmsc
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | c — Construct — The noun is bound to the following word |
SIBI-P1 H4294-09
branch-staff
| Root | נטה (n-ṭ-h) |
| Core Meanings | to stretch out, extend, spread, incline, bend |
| Semantic Range | branch, rod, staff, sceptre, tribal division (as an extended branch of a people), support (e.g., staff of bread) |
| Conceptual Significance | מַטֶּה expresses the idea of extension from a source—whether a physical branch, a ruling sceptre, or a tribal lineage branching from a patriarch. In Israel’s tribal structure, each "branch-staff" signifies both authority and organic connection to the covenant family, linking leadership, identity, and inheritance to the root from which it extends. |
| Morphological Notes | Masculine singular noun; appears in both absolute and construct states (HNcmsa, HNcmsc). Derived from the root נטה in a nominal pattern indicating an instrument or result of extension. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun מַטֶּה is a masculine singular form derived from the root נטה, "to stretch out" or "extend." The rendering "branch-staff" preserves the image of something extended (a branch) and its concrete function as a staff or rod, while also allowing for the figurative sense of a tribal branch extending from a larger body. The singular form reflects the masculine singular morphology (HNcmsa/c). |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Words from Root נטה (to stretch out, extend, spread, incline, bend)
| SILEX Code | Transliteration | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
H5186-01 |
ateh | I will stretch out |
H4294-01 |
bamateh | in the staff |
H4294-02 |
bematehu | with his extending-staff |
Word Usage (252 occurrences of H4294)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis 38:18 | וּ/מַטְּ/ךָ֖ | umatekha | and your staff |
| Genesis 38:25 | וְ/הַ/מַּטֶּ֖ה | vehamateh | and the staff |
| Exodus 4:2 | מַטֶּֽה | mateh | a staff |