Mattathias

Mat'tathias (Ματταθίας), the Greek form of MATTATHIAH SEE MATTATHIAH (q.v.), and standing for several persons in the Apocrypha and New Test.

1. One who supported Ezra in reading the law (1. Esdras 9:43), the MATTITHIAH of Ne 8:4.

2. The father of the Maccabmean brothers (1 Maccabees 2:1, 14, 16, 17, 19, 24, 27, 39, 45, 49; 14:29). SEE MACCABEE.

⇒Bible concordance for MATTATHIAS.

3. The son of Absalom and brother of the Maccabean Jonathan, the high- priest (1 Maccabees 11:70; 13:11). In the battle fought by the latter with the forces of Demetrius on the plain of Nasor (the old Hazor), his two generals Mattathias and Judas alone stood by him when his army was seized with a panic and fled, and with their assistance the fortunes of the day were restored.

4. The son of Simon Maccabueus, who was treacherously murdered, together with his father and brother, in the fortress of Docus, by Ptolemueus, the son of Abubus (1 Maccabees 16:14). SEE MACCABEE.

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

5. One of the three envoys sent by Nicanor to treat with Judas Maccabueus (2 Maccabees 14:19). SEE MACCABEE.

6. Son of Amos, in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Lu 3:25). 7. Son of Semei, in the same catalogue (Lu 3:26). For both these last, SEE MATTITHIAH, 5, 6.