2843. Chushathi
Lexical Summary
Chushathi: Hushathite

Original Word: חֻשָׁתִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: Chushathiy
Pronunciation: khoo-shaw-thee
Phonetic Spelling: (khoo-shaw-thee')
KJV: Hushathite
NASB: Hushathite
Word Origin: [patronymically from H2364 (חוּשָׁה - Hushah)]

1. a Chushathite or descendant of Chushah

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Hushathite

Patronymically from Chuwshah; a Chushathite or descendant of Chushah -- Hushathite.

see HEBREW Chuwshah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from Chushah
Definition
perhaps an inhab. of Hushah
NASB Translation
Hushathite (5).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
חֻשָׁתִי adjective, of a people of foregoing: —

1 of individual, with article׳הַח 2 Samuel 21:18 = 1 Chronicles 20:4; 2 Samuel 23:27 = 1 Chronicles 11:29, see also 1 Chronicles 27:11.

Topical Lexicon
Identity and Setting

The designation “Hushathite” identifies a person originating from, or descended from, the clan or locality of Hushah of Judah (compare 1 Chronicles 4:4). Every biblical appearance of the term attaches it to heroic soldiers in the service of King David, locating the name firmly within Judah’s military and covenantal life during the united monarchy.

Key Individuals

1. Sibbecai (also spelled Mebunnai)
• A valiant warrior counted among “the Thirty,” David’s elite corps (2 Samuel 23:27; 1 Chronicles 11:29).
• A commander of the eighth rotational army division of twenty-four thousand men (1 Chronicles 27:11).
• Remembered for striking down a Philistine giant: “At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha” (2 Samuel 21:18; cf. 1 Chronicles 20:4, where the giant is called Sippai).

2. Mebunnai the Hushathite
• Probably an alternate name for Sibbecai (2 Samuel 23:27); ancient copyists often preserved parallel spellings of the same individual.

Military Significance

The Hushathites appear only in contexts of warfare, especially against the Philistines. Their exploits highlight three strategic realities:

• Continuity of Conflict

Even after David’s earlier victories, Philistine resistance resurfaced. The battles at Gob and Gezer (2 Samuel 21:18; 1 Chronicles 20:4) show that security for Israel required sustained vigilance.

• Specialized Elite Forces

David’s organization into monthly divisions (1 Chronicles 27) and the listing of “mighty men” reveal an early form of standing army. Sibbecai’s leadership of the eighth division underlines Judah’s contribution to national defense.

• Triumph over Giants

By slaying descendants of Rapha, Sibbecai continues the pattern begun by David himself with Goliath, demonstrating that Yahweh equips His servants to overcome formidable, even seemingly invincible, foes.

Historical and Theological Implications

1. Covenant Faithfulness within Judah

The Hushathites’ incorporation into David’s forces echoes Judah’s early pledge to support David (2 Samuel 2:4) and anticipates the tribe’s later prominence in messianic prophecy.

2. Divine Empowerment of the Ordinary

Apart from their battlefield feats, no personal details are preserved. This obscurity magnifies God’s role: nameless soldiers (from the world’s perspective) become instruments of deliverance because “the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).

3. Typology of the Promised King

Victories over the giants and the subduing of hostile nations foreshadow the Messiah’s ultimate conquest of sin and death. The Hushathite’s obedience under David prefigures believers’ service under Christ, “the Root of David” (Revelation 5:5).

Ministry Applications

• Courage in Spiritual Warfare

As Sibbecai engaged physical giants, Christians confront “spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12). His example calls believers to wield divine armor with steadfast courage.

• Faithful Service without Spotlight

Though mentioned briefly, the Hushathite’s faithful presence in five distinct texts affirms that God records and rewards even hidden labor (Hebrews 6:10).

• Steadfastness across Seasons

Sibbecai commanded the eighth-month division, reminding ministers that service spans all seasons; faithfulness is measured not by momentary zeal but by year-round commitment.

Summary

The “Hushathite” stands as a title of honor linked to loyal, daring warriors of Judah. Their consistent appearance beside David underscores the Lord’s pattern of employing dedicated servants—often little known to history—to secure His purposes, defend His people, and foreshadow the greater victories achieved in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
הַחֻ֣שָׁתִ֔י הַחֻֽשָׁתִ֗י הַחֻשָׁתִ֖י הַחֻשָׁתִֽי׃ החשתי החשתי׃ ha·ḥu·šā·ṯî haChushaTi haḥušāṯî
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Samuel 21:18
HEB: הִכָּ֗ה סִבְּכַי֙ הַחֻ֣שָׁתִ֔י אֶת־ סַ֕ף
NAS: Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down
KJV: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew
INT: struck Sibbecai the Hushathite Saph who

2 Samuel 23:27
HEB: הָֽעַנְּתֹתִ֔י מְבֻנַּ֖י הַחֻשָׁתִֽי׃ ס
NAS: Mebunnai the Hushathite,
KJV: Mebunnai the Hushathite,
INT: the Anathothite Mebunnai the Hushathite

1 Chronicles 11:29
HEB: סִבְּכַי֙ הַחֻ֣שָׁתִ֔י עִילַ֖י הָאֲחוֹחִֽי׃
NAS: Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai
KJV: Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai
INT: Sibbecai the Hushathite Ilai the Ahohite

1 Chronicles 20:4
HEB: הִכָּ֞ה סִבְּכַ֣י הַחֻֽשָׁתִ֗י אֶת־ סִפַּ֛י
NAS: Sibbecai the Hushathite killed
KJV: Sibbechai the Hushathite slew
INT: killed Sibbecai the Hushathite Sippai of the descendants

1 Chronicles 27:11
HEB: הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י סִבְּכַ֥י הַחֻשָׁתִ֖י לַזַּרְחִ֑י וְעַל֙
NAS: [was] Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zerahites;
KJV: [was] Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites:
INT: the eighth Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zarhites and in

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2843
5 Occurrences


ha·ḥu·šā·ṯî — 5 Occ.

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