Lexical Summary Ashterathi: Ashterathite Original Word: עַשְׁתְּרָתִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ashterathite Patrial from Ashtarowth; an Ashterathite or inhabitant of Ashtaroth -- Ashterathite. see HEBREW Ashtarowth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Ashtaroth Definition inhab. of Ashtaroth NASB Translation Ashterathite (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַשְׁתְּרָתִי adjective, of a people of foregoing ׳הָע 1 Chronicles 11:4. עֵת see I. ענה. Topical Lexicon עַשְׁתְּרָתִי (Ashterathite)Geographical Context The term identifies a native or resident of Ashtaroth, the principal city of Bashan east of the Sea of Galilee. Ashtaroth lay in the rich volcanic table-land that stretches toward Mount Hermon, territory captured from Og and later allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh (Deuteronomy 1:4; Joshua 13:31). As a Levitical city (Joshua 21:27; 1 Chronicles 6:71) it became a center where the Law was taught among Israel’s Trans-Jordanian tribes, countering the region’s earlier associations with the Canaanite fertility cult that took its name from the same root. Thus an “Ashterathite” came from a town that had moved from pagan dominance to covenant influence. Biblical Occurrence 1 Chronicles 11:44 introduces “Uzzia the Ashterathite” among David’s mighty men. The presence of a warrior from distant Bashan in a list otherwise dominated by men from Judah and Benjamin highlights the national breadth of David’s following: “Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite”. Historical Setting 1 Chronicles 11 records the consolidation of David’s rule after he captured Jerusalem. Naming an Ashterathite alongside Aroerites, Beth-hashemothites, and Hushathites demonstrates that loyalty to David had penetrated both sides of the Jordan long before the kingdom’s formal unification. Bashan’s strategic highlands guarded northern approaches into Israel; a seasoned warrior from that region would have been prized for his familiarity with rugged terrain and with repelling Aramean and Ammonite incursions (compare 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19). Theological Significance 1. Covenant Inclusiveness: The single appearance of the title illustrates that God’s plan for Israel was not confined to the hill-country tribes. The Chronicler, writing after the exile, intentionally re-emphasizes Davidic unity by noting champions from every territory originally promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18–21). Ministry and Discipleship Lessons • Background does not limit usefulness. A believer emerging from an environment formerly hostile to the faith can become a stalwart in God’s service. In the lone but telling appearance of עַשְׁתְּרָתִי, Scripture quietly affirms both the reach of David’s reign and the transformative power of covenant grace. Forms and Transliterations הָעֲשְׁתְּרָתִ֑י העשתרתי hā‘ăštərāṯî hā·‘ăš·tə·rā·ṯî haashteraTiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 11:44 HEB: עֻזִיָּ֖א הָעֲשְׁתְּרָתִ֑י שָׁמָע֙ [וִיעוּאֵל NAS: Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama KJV: Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama INT: Uzzia the Ashterathite Shama Jeiel 1 Occurrence |
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