Lexical Summary Yithri: Yithri Original Word: יִתְרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ithrite Patronymically from Yether; a Jithrite or descendant of Jether -- Ithrite. see HEBREW Yether NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Yether Definition desc. of Jethro NASB Translation Ithrite (4), Ithrites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יִתְרִי adjective, of a people, always with article הַיִּתְרִי 2 Samuel 23:38, ᵐ5 Αιθειραιος, etc.; 2 Samuel 23:38, ᵐ5 Εθθεναιος, ᵐ5L Ιεθεμ; read perhaps הַיַּתִּירִי Th Klo Kit Bu; = 1 Chronicles 11:40 (twice in verse), ᵐ5 Ηθηρει, Ιεθ(ε)ρι, etc.; collective 1 Chronicles 2:53, ᵐ5 Αιθαλειμ, ᵐ5L Εθρι. Topical Lexicon IdentityThe word יִתְרִי denotes an “Ithrite,” a member of a Judahite clan that traced its roots to Kiriath Jearim. It appears five times in the Old Testament and always functions as a clan or family designation. Occurrences in Scripture • 2 Samuel 23:38 – “Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite.” (The repeated appearances of the word within 2 Samuel 23:38 and 1 Chronicles 11:40 account for the total of five occurrences.) Genealogical Setting 1 Chronicles 2:50–54 situates the Ithrites among the descendants of Caleb, the son of Hezron, in the tribe of Judah. Shobal, a son of Caleb, founded Kiriath Jearim, and from that town several sub-clans arose, including the Ithrites. This Judahite lineage explains how two Ithrites—Gareb and Ira—could rise naturally to prominence in the service of David, himself a Judahite. Service among David’s Mighty Men Both Ira and Gareb are listed in the roster of “the Thirty,” the elite warriors who formed the core of David’s military guard. • Courage and loyalty: Their inclusion with legendary figures such as Benaiah and Abishai highlights their valor. Historical Significance of the Clan 1. Strategic location. Kiriath Jearim stood on the border of Judah and Benjamin along a key north-south ridge route. During the period of the Judges the Ark of the Covenant rested there (1 Samuel 7:1–2), giving the surrounding clans—including the Ithrites—a heritage intertwined with Israel’s most sacred object. Spiritual Insights • Faithfulness where God places us. The Ithrites never headline biblical narratives, yet their steadfast service undergirds a godly kingdom. Likewise, believers advance God’s purposes through ordinary but devoted roles. Ministry Application Pastors and Bible teachers may call congregations to emulate the Ithrites by: 1. Embracing their heritage in Christ—valuing the local church family as the setting for lasting fruit. Summary The Ithrites represent a Judahite clan rooted in Kiriath Jearim, two of whose sons—Gareb and Ira—became renowned in David’s mighty men. Their modest biblical footprint magnifies themes of covenant faithfulness, communal identity, and God’s remembrance of those who serve Him in quiet dedication. Forms and Transliterations הַיִּתְרִ֔י הַיִּתְרִֽי׃ הַיִּתְרִי֙ היתרי היתרי׃ haiyitRi hay·yiṯ·rî hayyiṯrîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 23:38 HEB: עִירָא֙ הַיִּתְרִ֔י גָּרֵ֖ב הַיִּתְרִֽי׃ NAS: Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, KJV: Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, INT: Ira the Ithrite Gareb the Ithrite 2 Samuel 23:38 1 Chronicles 2:53 1 Chronicles 11:40 1 Chronicles 11:40 5 Occurrences |