Lexical Definition

‎μάτην‎ mátēn (mat'-ane) in vain G:ADV
accusative case of a derivative of the base of ‎μασσάομαι‎ (through the idea of tentative manipulation, i.e. unsuccessful search, or else of punishment)

in vain.

Usage: 1 form in 21 verses
Form Translated As     In Verse(s)
μάτην and in vain LXX.Isa.29.13
folly LXX.Ps.41.6LXX.Ps.63.9
in folly LXX.1Kgs.21.20LXX.Ps.35.7LXX.Ps.39.6LXX.Isa.27.3LXX.Isa.30.5LXX.Isa.41.29
in vain LXX.Job.9.29LXX.Prov.3.30LXX.Jer.2.30LXX.Ezek.14.23Matt.15.9Mark.7.7
is folly LXX.Ps.39.11
vain LXX.Ps.127.1LXX.Ps.127.1LXX.Ps.127.2LXX.Jer.8.8
vainly LXX.Isa.28.17

Abbott-Smith

μάτην (prop. acc. of μάτη, a fault, folly), adv., [in LXX for הֶבֶל, שָׁוְא, etc.;]
in vain, to no purpose: Mt 15:9, Mk 7:7(LXX).†

Abbott-Smith References

Book Refs
Matthew 15:9
Mark 7:7

Liddell-Scott-Jones

μάτην,

Doric dialect μάτᾱν [μᾰ], adverb in vain, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; with a Noun, τὸ μ. ἄχθος the fruitless burden, [Refs]; Διὸς μ. ἄκοιτις his bedfellow to no good end, [Refs 5th c.BC+]

__2 at random, without reason, οὔ σε μ. τιμῶσι [Refs 6th c.BC+]; νοσῶν μ., i.e. he that is mad, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__3 idly, falsely, λέγοντες εἴτ᾽ ἀληθές, εἴτ᾽ ἄρ᾽ οὖν μ. [μάτην θνῄσκοντες [prev. author] “El.” 63, compare 1298 ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; μ. βέβακεν, of a dream, [μάτην in 2nd c.AD: Lucianus Sophista “Trag.” 28,241, 2nd c.AD: Aristides Rhetor “Orationes” 33(51).3; ἐπὶ μ. “POxy.” 530.8 (2nd c.AD). ">Refs 4th c.BC+]