מַטָּרָא
𐤌𐤈𐤓𐤀
maṭṭârâʼ
H4307 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place of confinement such as a guardhouse, prison, or jail; also used metaphorically for a target, goal, or mark, especially one that is carefully watched or guarded. In biblical usage, most commonly denotes a structure designated for detaining individuals, under supervision.
Semantic Range
guardhouse, jail, prison, place of confinement, holding cell, target, mark, goal
Root / Etymology
From the root נטר (to watch, guard, keep), with the nominal form indicating either a place that is kept or watched (i.e., a guardhouse or prison), or something that is the focus of watching (i.e., a mark or target). Thus, מַטָּרָא refers to a space or object of special attention, either protective (guardhouse/prison) or directed (target).
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Jeremiah 32:2 and 33:1 referring specifically to the 'court of the guard'—a form of house arrest or holding cell within royal or official quarters. The sense of 'target' or 'mark' appears in some extrabiblical Hebrew and in cognate languages, though not as frequently in biblical text. The usage of מַטָּרָא underscores a function of surveillance or focus—either on a person (as in detention) or an objective (as in aiming). While some English translations render it as 'prison,' the concept evokes both spatial confinement and purposeful attention, which can be lost in standard renderings. The semantic scope is broader than later English 'prison,' encompassing any area or object set apart under vigilant observation, whether to detain or to aim. Distinguished from other Hebrew terms for prison (e.g., בֵּית הַסֹּהַר), which may denote more punitive or carceral facilities. The term's post-biblical usage often aligns with the 'target/goal' sense, reflecting development in meaning in later Hebrew and Aramaic usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מַטָּרָה; from נָטַר; a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched); mark, prison.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נטר (n-ṭ-r) — to watch, to guard, to keep, to protect vigilantly
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4307-01 |
הַ/מַּטָּרָ֔ה | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse | 13 |
H4307-03 |
לְ/מַטָּרָֽה | lematarah | HR/Ncfsa |
as a target | to a guardhouse | 2 |
H4307-02 |
כַּ/מַּטָּרָ֖א | kamatara | HRd/Ncfsa |
as a target | guardhouse | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
16 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4307-03 |
1 Samuel 20:20 | לְ/מַטָּרָֽה | lematarah | HR/Ncfsa |
as a target | to a guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 32:2 | הַ/מַּטָּרָ֔ה | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of-the-guard | the guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 32:8 | הַ/מַּטָּרָה֒ | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 32:12 | הַ/מַּטָּרָֽה | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 33:1 | הַ/מַּטָּרָ֖ה | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 37:21 | הַ/מַּטָּרָה֒ | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 37:21 | הַ/מַּטָּרָֽה | hamatarah-2 | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 38:6 | הַ/מַּטָּרָ֔ה | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 38:13 | הַ/מַּטָּרָֽה | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse |
H4307-01 |
Jeremiah 38:28 | הַ/מַּטָּרָ֔ה | hamatarah | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the guard | the guardhouse |