עַתַּי
Attai, the name of three Israelites
Definition
Attai is the name of three distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is a descendant of Judah through Jerahmeel, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:35-36 as the son of Jarha, an Egyptian servant, and the daughter of Sheshan, showing integration into the tribe. The second is a Gadite warrior, one of David's mighty men who joined him at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:11). The third is a son of King Rehoboam by his wife Maacah, making him a grandson of Solomon (2 Chronicles 11:20). Each instance represents a different lineage and role within Israel's history.
Biblical Usage
The name Attai is used exclusively as a personal name in the Old Testament, appearing only in the genealogical and historical records of 1 and 2 Chronicles. It is used in three distinct contexts: tribal genealogy (1 Chronicles 2:35-36), military history (1 Chronicles 12:11), and royal lineage (2 Chronicles 11:20). This pattern shows the Chronicler's interest in documenting the people who constituted the nation of Israel, from common families to the royal house.
Etymology
The name Attai (עַתַּי) is derived from the Hebrew root עִתִּי (H6261, `Ittay), meaning 'timely' or 'at this time.' It is likely a shortened or diminutive form, functioning as a personal name meaning something like 'My (God is) timely' or perhaps simply 'Timely One.' It shares a root with words related to time (עֵת, `eth).
Semantic Range
While a personal name, Attai's appearances contribute to key biblical themes. His inclusion in the Judahite genealogy (1 Chronicles 2) demonstrates God's faithfulness to the tribe of Judah and the incorporation of foreigners (like his Egyptian grandfather) into the covenant community. As a Gadite warrior (1 Chronicles 12), he represents the loyal support for God's anointed king, David. As Rehoboam's son (2 Chronicles 11), he is part of the Davidic royal line, a lineage central to God's promises. These instances collectively highlight God's work through specific individuals within the broader story of His people.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning or expressed a parent's hope or circumstance. A name like Attai ('timely') may have been given in hope of a favorable or divinely appointed time for the child's birth or life. The three bearers of this name come from different social strata—a tribal member with foreign ancestry, a military elite, and a prince—illustrating the name's use across Israelite society.
Ittai (עִתַּי, H863) — A more common variant of the same name, borne by one of David's loyal foreign commanders (2 Samuel 15:19).
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.
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