מַטְוֶה
𐤌𐤈𐤅𐤄
maṭveh
H4299 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A spun material or object, such as yarn, thread, or fabric, produced by the act of spinning fibers together. The term refers specifically to thread or yarn as a product of the spinning process, but can also extend to denote the resulting woven fabric or cloth in certain contexts. Usage typically highlights the material aspect—what is formed by spinning, whether used for weaving, garment-making, or temple implements.
Semantic Range
yarn, thread, spun material, spun fabric; product of spinning process
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root טוה (ṭ-w-h), meaning 'to spin'. The noun מַטְוֶה (maṭveh) is formed via the nominalizing mem-prefix, indicating 'that which is spun' or 'the product of spinning'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מַטְוֶה appears rarely (Exodus 35:25, among others), specifically denoting the spun material prepared by skilled women for use in the sanctuary's fabrics and priestly garments. Unlike מִשְׁמָר or בֶּגֶד, which denote 'guard/site' and 'garment' respectively, מַטְוֶה focuses on the preparatory stage in textile production—the creation of threads before weaving into cloth. English translations often obscure this nuance by rendering it 'yarn,' 'thread,' or occasionally 'spun fabric,' but may not distinguish its role in the broader process of textile manufacturing. The word does not appear to have undergone significant semantic shift; its technical, artisanal sense is stable across biblical contexts. Later Hebrew continues to use derivatives for spinning and related textile activities.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from טָוָה; something spun; spun.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טוה (ṭ-w-h) — to spin, twist fibers
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4299-01 |
מַטְוֶ֗ה | mateveh | HNcmsa |
spun [material] | spun yarn | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4299-01 |
Exodus 35:25 | מַטְוֶ֗ה | mateveh | HNcmsa |
spun [material] | spun yarn |