יִתְרָא
Jithra, an Israelite (or Ishmaelite)
Definition
Yithrâʼ (יִתְרָא) is a proper name, referring to a man identified as the father of Amasa, the commander of Absalom's army. In 2 Samuel 17:25, he is called 'Jithra an Israelite,' but some textual traditions and the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 2:17 refer to him as 'Ithra the Ishmaelite.' This variation suggests possible scribal differences or that he was an Ishmaelite who lived among Israelites. The name itself is a variant of Yithrâh (יִתְרָה), meaning 'abundance' or 'excellence.'
Biblical Usage
This name occurs only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Samuel 17:25, within the narrative of Absalom's rebellion against King David. It is used to identify the father of Amasa, who was appointed by Absalom as the commander of his army, replacing Joab. The context is a genealogical note within a complex political and military story.
Etymology
The name יִתְרָא (Yithrâʼ) is a variant of the masculine proper noun יִתְרָה (Yithrâh, H3502), which is derived from the root יָתַר (yāṯar), meaning 'to remain over, to excel, to have an abundance.' Thus, the name carries connotations of 'preeminence' or 'abundance.' It is related to the common noun יֶתֶר (yether), meaning 'cord' or 'abundance.'
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not central to major doctrines, its appearance highlights the intricate, sometimes ambiguous, genealogical details within the biblical narrative. The variation between 'Israelite' and 'Ishmaelite' in the manuscripts may reflect the complex ethnic and social relationships in ancient Israel, reminding readers of the careful textual transmission and the historical realities behind the stories of David's kingdom.
In the ancient Near East, names often carried meaningful attributes, with Yithrâʼ suggesting 'excellence.' The ambiguity in his ethnic designation (Israelite vs. Ishmaelite) in 2 Samuel 17:25 could reflect intermarriage, conversion, or political alliance, which were not uncommon. It illustrates that family lineages and tribal identities in the biblical world could be complex and fluid.
יִתְרָה (Yithrâh, H3502) — The base form of the name, also meaning 'abundance.' יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — A common noun meaning 'cord,' 'remainder,' or 'abundance,' sharing the same root.
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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