Attai
Attai the Son of Jarha
The most detailed account involves Attai the descendant of Judah through the line of Jerahmeel (1 Chronicles 2:35-36). Sheshan, a Jerahmeelite, had no sons but had a daughter. He gave her in marriage to his Egyptian servant Jarha, and their son was Attai. This cross-cultural marriage is noteworthy because it shows an Egyptian being fully integrated into an Israelite family and tribal lineage. Attai's descendants continued for many generations, with the genealogy traced through Nathan, Zabad, and onward, demonstrating that this mixed heritage posed no barrier to full membership in the tribe of Judah.
Attai the Gadite Warrior
The second Attai was a soldier from the tribe of Gad who defected to David while he was living as a fugitive at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:11). He was among a group of Gadite warriors described in remarkably heroic terms: they were "mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and who were swift as gazelles on the mountains" (1 Chronicles 12:8). These warriors crossed the Jordan River during its flood stage to reach David, demonstrating extraordinary courage and commitment. Attai is listed as the eleventh in rank among these elite fighters.
Attai the Son of Rehoboam
The third Attai was a son of King Rehoboam and grandson of Solomon (2 Chronicles 11:20). His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Absalom, who was Rehoboam's favorite wife. Maacah was the mother of Abijah, who succeeded Rehoboam as king. Although Attai himself did not reign, his position as a prince of the royal house placed him among the Davidic descendants. Rehoboam had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, producing twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters (2 Chronicles 11:21), making the royal household a complex political environment.
The Significance of the Name
The name Attai may mean "timely" or "opportune," though its exact etymology is uncertain. The appearance of this name across different tribal and social contexts, from Judahite genealogy to Gadite military ranks to the royal family, reflects the richness of Israel's social fabric. Each Attai served a different function in Israel's story, from establishing a family line to defending a future king to being part of the Davidic dynasty.
Themes Across the Three Attais
The three individuals named Attai collectively illustrate important biblical themes. The first shows God's acceptance of those from outside Israel who are grafted into the covenant community. The second demonstrates that loyalty and courage in following God's anointed are recognized and valued. The third reveals the complex dynamics of Israel's royal family. All three appear in genealogical or military lists in Chronicles, reflecting the Chronicler's interest in showing the breadth of those who contributed to Israel's national and spiritual life.
Biblical Context
Attai appears in three distinct biblical contexts: 1 Chronicles 2:35-36 (son of Jarha the Egyptian, in Judah's genealogy), 1 Chronicles 12:11 (Gadite warrior who joined David at Ziklag), and 2 Chronicles 11:20 (son of King Rehoboam). Each reference serves a different literary purpose within the Chronicler's narrative of Israel's history.
Theological Significance
The three Attais illustrate God's inclusive purposes. The first shows that outsiders (an Egyptian servant's son) can be fully integrated into God's people. The second demonstrates that faithful loyalty to God's chosen leader is honored. The third reveals that belonging to a privileged family does not automatically guarantee prominence, as God's purposes transcend human expectations of lineage and birth order.
Historical Background
The marriage of Sheshan's daughter to his Egyptian servant Jarha reflects a known practice in the ancient Near East where servants could be elevated through marriage into their master's family. The Gadite warriors who joined David at Ziklag represent tribal support from east of the Jordan during his conflict with Saul (approximately 1010 BC). Rehoboam's large household reflects the political marriage practices common among ancient Near Eastern monarchs.