יִתְרְעָם
Jithream, a son of David
Definition
Yithrᵉʻâm (Jithream) is a proper name given to one of King David's sons, born to him in Hebron. The name appears in two genealogical lists: 2 Samuel 3:5 and 1 Chronicles 3:3, where he is identified as the sixth son born to David during his reign in Hebron, with his mother being Eglah. The name itself is a compound meaning 'excellence of the people' or 'abundance of the people,' reflecting a positive, hopeful designation. As a proper name, it has no other semantic senses or variations in meaning across its biblical occurrences.
Biblical Usage
This proper noun is used exclusively in two Old Testament passages that document the lineage of King David. It appears in the historical book of 2 Samuel 3:5 and is repeated in the later genealogical record of 1 Chronicles 3:3. In both contexts, its usage is purely genealogical, serving to list David's sons born in Hebron before he became king over all Israel. There are no narrative stories or other usages associated with this individual.
Etymology
The name Yithrᵉʻâm is derived from two Hebrew roots: יֶתֶר (yether, H3499), meaning 'abundance,' 'excellence,' or 'what remains,' and עַם (ʻam, H5971), meaning 'people' or 'nation.' The combined form is a theophoric or aspirational name, common in Hebrew onomastics, signifying 'excellence of the people' or 'abundance of the people.' It follows a pattern similar to other Hebrew compound names that express a quality or relationship of the individual to the community or to God.
Semantic Range
While the individual Jithream is not a major biblical figure, his inclusion in the Davidic lineage holds theological significance. He is part of the royal genealogy that culminates in the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17). The meaning of his name, 'excellence of the people,' can be seen as a reflection of the hope and promise embedded in the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7). Understanding such names enriches the reading of genealogies by revealing the values and aspirations of the biblical authors and the covenantal importance of lineage.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and conveyed hopes, characteristics, or circumstances. A name like Jithream, meaning 'excellence of the people,' likely expressed parental hope for the child's future standing and contribution to the community. As a son of David born in Hebron, his birth occurred during a pivotal time when David was king over Judah but not yet over all Israel (2 Samuel 2-5). The recording of his name in two separate genealogical lists underscores the cultural importance of preserving accurate family and royal records for identity, inheritance, and covenant promises.
Yithrôn (יִתְרוֹן, H3506) — A masculine proper name, also derived from יֶתֶר (yether), belonging to a descendant of Issachar (Numbers 26:24).
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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