Mattenai
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Mattenai in the Bible?
The name Mattenai identifies two laymen, one son of Hashum and the other son of Bani, who were recorded as having married foreign wives during the reforms of Ezra, and a priest named Mattenai who served during the high priesthood of Joiakim son of Jeshua.
SIGNIFICANCE
These records provide concrete evidence of the social dynamics and identity formation within the restored Jewish community, specifically illustrating the enforcement of endogamy to preserve religious and ethnic distinctiveness after the Babylonian exile.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Mattenai reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Mattenai in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Mattenai clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Mattenai." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/mattenai/