אֲחִיטוּב
Achitub, the name of several priests
Definition
Achitub is a proper name meaning 'brother of goodness' or 'my brother is good,' borne by several priests in the Old Testament. The most notable is Ahitub, son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli, who served at Shiloh (1 Samuel 14:3). Another significant figure is Ahitub, father of Zadok the priest, who served during King David's reign (2 Samuel 8:17). The name also appears in priestly genealogies, linking the Aaronic line through figures like Ahitub, son of Amariah (1 Chronicles 6:7-8). While the name refers to different individuals, all are associated with the priestly office and lineage.
Biblical Usage
The name Achitub (Ahitub in KJV) is used exclusively in historical and genealogical contexts within the Old Testament. It appears in the books of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, and 1 Chronicles, primarily to establish priestly lineage. In 1 Samuel, it identifies the priestly family serving at Nob, descended from Eli (1 Samuel 22:9, 20). In later texts, it connects the high priest Zadok to the line of Aaron (2 Samuel 8:17, 1 Chronicles 6:7-8). The usage consistently marks individuals within Israel's established priestly hierarchy.
Etymology
The name Achitub (אֲחִיטוּב) is a compound of two Hebrew elements: 'ach (אָח, H251), meaning 'brother,' and 'tov (טוֹב, H2898), meaning 'good' or 'goodness.' It is a theophoric name, implicitly acknowledging God as the source of goodness, similar to names like Tobiah ('Yahweh is good'). The construction signifies a relationship—'brother of goodness'—likely expressing a familial hope for character or divine favor.
Semantic Range
The name Achitub, while a personal name, is theologically significant as it is borne by key figures in the priestly lineage, connecting the priesthood from Eli to Zadok. Understanding this lineage highlights the continuity and legitimacy of Israel's worship system, which culminates in the priesthood of Christ (Hebrews 7:11-28). The name's meaning, 'brother of goodness,' may also subtly point to the priestly role as mediators of God's goodness and covenant faithfulness to the people.
In ancient Israel, names often carried descriptive or aspirational meaning about the individual or family. A name like Achitub ('brother of goodness') likely reflected parental hopes for the child's character or divine blessing. As a priestly name, it also situated the bearer within a sacred, hereditary office central to Israel's religious and social structure, emphasizing lineage and covenant responsibility.
Tobiah (Ṭôḇiyyâh, H2900) — A name also derived from 'tov' (good), but explicitly incorporating the divine name Yahweh ('Yahweh is good'). Amariah (ʼĂmaryâh, H568) — Another priestly name meaning 'Yahweh has spoken,' highlighting a different aspect of divine communication. Zadok (Ṣāḏôq, H6659) — A later high priest in the line of Achitub, representing the established priestly order.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →