פּוּתִי

a Puthite (collectively) or descendants of an unknown Puth

Definition

פּוּתִי (Pûwthîy) refers to a Puthite, a member of a clan or family group descended from an individual named Puth, whose identity is otherwise unknown. The term is used collectively to designate this group as a subdivision within the larger tribe of Judah. It appears only in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:53, where the Puthites are listed among the families of Kirjath-jearim. The name is presented as a patronymic, meaning 'descendants of Puth.'

Biblical Usage

This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in a strictly genealogical context. It appears in 1 Chronicles 2:53 as part of the detailed lineage of the tribe of Judah, specifically the families stemming from Shobal, the father of Kirjath-jearim. The usage is purely for tribal and familial identification within a historical record, with no narrative or doctrinal development.

Etymology

The word פּוּתִי is a patronymic noun, derived from an otherwise unattested proper name פּוּת (Pûwth). The etymology of this root name is uncertain. Some lexical sources suggest a connection to a root meaning 'hinge' or 'turn,' but this is speculative. The King James Version's rendering 'Puhites' appears to mistakenly associate it with the root פּוּאָה (H6312).

Semantic Range

In the cultural context of ancient Israel, clan and family identities within the tribes were of paramount importance for land inheritance, social structure, and religious continuity. Being listed as a 'Puthite' situated this group within the tribe of Judah, linking them to the covenant promises given to that tribe. For the original audience of Chronicles, such genealogies affirmed their place in God's people and the continuity of the community after the exile.

מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah, H4940) — a broader term for family, clan, or household, whereas פּוּתִי specifies a sub-group within one.

Word Details

Scripture References