Lexical Summary
Gitti: Gittite
Original Word:גִּתִּי
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:Gittiy
Pronunciation:ghit-TEE
Phonetic Spelling:(ghit-tee')
KJV: Gittite
NASB:Gittite, Gittites
Word Origin:[patrial fromH1661 (גַּת - Gath)]
1. a Gittite or inhabitant of Gath
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Gittite
Patrial fromGath; a Gittite or inhabitant of Gath -- Gittite.
see HEBREWGath
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
GathDefinitionan inhab. of Gath
NASB TranslationGittite (9), Gittites (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, of II. ;
2 Samuel 6:10,11 =
1 Chronicles 13:13; Ittai
2 Samuel 15:19,22;
2 Samuel 18:2; Goliath
2 Samuel 21:19;
1 Chronicles 20:5; plural with article as substantive,
1 Samuel 15:18the Gittites (but read We Klo Kit Bu Now
Archaeology i.308n.); singular with article as proper name collective
Joshua 13:3 (with men of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and the Awwim).
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Geographic Background“Gittite” designates a native or inhabitant of Gath, one of the five principal Philistine cities located in the Shephelah between the coastal plain and the Judean hills. Gath’s strategic position along east-west trade routes made its citizens formidable in war and influential in the region. While the term is Philistine in origin, the Old Testament applies it both to Philistines and to certain Israelites who lived in Levitical towns bearing the same root (such as Gath-rimmon), reminding the reader that geography, not ethnicity alone, defines the word’s biblical usage.
Occurrences in Scripture
The word appears ten times, distributed as follows:Joshua 13:3;2 Samuel 6:10, 11;2 Samuel 15:18, 19, 22;2 Samuel 18:2;2 Samuel 21:19;1 Chronicles 13:13;1 Chronicles 20:5. These references cluster around three main settings: the conquest allotments under Joshua, the transfer of the Ark to Jerusalem, and David’s reign.
Gittites in Israel’s History
1. Five Lords of the Philistines
Joshua 13:3 names “the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, and the Ekronite”, establishing “Gittite” as one of the recognized Philistine city-states whose land remained to be fully subdued. The verse frames Israel’s unfinished task and underscores the tension that will characterize Israel-Philistine relations until the monarchy.
2. Obed-Edom the Gittite and the Ark
When David’s first attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem ended in Uzzah’s death, “he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite” (2 Samuel 6:10). For three months “the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his household” (2 Samuel 6:11). Chronicles repeats the account (1 Chronicles 13:13). Though styled “Gittite,” Obed-Edom is elsewhere identified as a Levite descendant of Korah (1 Chronicles 26:4), likely residing in the Levitical town Gath-rimmon in Benjamin or Dan. The narrative highlights:
• The holiness of God’s presence.
• The universality of divine blessing on all who honor that presence, whether Israelite or resident alien.
• The restoration of proper Levitical order before the Ark enters Jerusalem.
3. Ittai the Gittite: Loyal Exile and Commander
During Absalom’s revolt, six hundred men from Gath accompanied David. Their leader, Ittai, is three times called “the Gittite” (2 Samuel 15:19, 22; 18:2). His pledge, “wherever my lord the king may be—whether life or death—there your servant will be” (2 Samuel 15:21), models covenant loyalty transcending national borders. David entrusts Ittai with a third of his army, showing that faithfulness, not pedigree, qualifies one for leadership in the kingdom.
4. Goliath the Gittite and His Kin
Long before Ittai, another Gittite dominated the battlefield: Goliath. Although the word “Gittite” in1 Samuel 17 is a different lexeme, Elhanan’s later victory “over the brother of Goliath the Gittite” (2 Samuel 21:19;1 Chronicles 20:5) echoes the earlier triumph. These passages:
• Confirm God’s ongoing deliverance from Philistine oppression.
• Demonstrate that giants—symbolic of impossible odds—fall repeatedly before faith-filled warriors.
Theological and Ministry Insights
• God Welcomes Outsiders Who Embrace His King.
Obed-Edom and Ittai, though tagged “Gittite,” enjoy intimate roles in Israel’s worship and governance. Their accounts anticipate Gentile inclusion in the messianic reign (Isaiah 56:6-7;Acts 10).
• Holiness Cannot Be Approached Casually.
The contrast between Uzzah’s irreverence and Obed-Edom’s blessing warns believers to revere God’s holiness while taking refuge in His mercy.
• Loyalty Is Rewarded, Not Lineage.
Ittai’s rise from foreign exile to trusted general under David illustrates kingdom ethics: “Many who are last will be first” (Matthew 19:30).
• Persistent Giants Require Persistent Faith.
The repeated mention of Gittite warriors slain by David’s men reminds communities of faith that spiritual battles recur, yet victory is assured when fought in the Lord’s strength.
Redemptive Thread
From Joshua’s unfinished conquest to David’s inclusive army, the Gittites trace a line of conflict, covenant, and ultimately communion. What begins as a mark of hostility in Joshua culminates in Gentile devotion under David, foreshadowing the reign of the Son of David, under whom every barrier is broken down and “all nations shall be blessed” (Galatians 3:8).
Summary
The term “Gittite” moves through Scripture from enemy designation to affectionate title for trusted allies and blessed households. Its trajectory magnifies the Lord’s sovereignty over nations, His zeal for holiness, and His gracious invitation to all who align themselves with His chosen King.
Forms and Transliterations
הַגִּתִּ֑י הַגִּתִּ֔י הַגִּתִּ֖י הַגִּתִּ֞ים הַגִּתִּֽי׃ הַגִּתִּי֙ הגתי הגתי׃ הגתים hag·git·tî hag·git·tîm haggitTi haggittî haggitTim haggittîm
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