Topical Encyclopedia
Amittai is a biblical figure known primarily as the father of the prophet Jonah. His name appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Jonah and 2 Kings. The name "Amittai" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "truth" or "my truth," which may reflect the character or the spiritual heritage he imparted to his son.
Biblical References:1.
Jonah 1:1 : "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 'Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.'"
This verse introduces Amittai as the father of Jonah, setting the stage for the narrative of Jonah's mission to Nineveh. The mention of Amittai here serves to identify Jonah's lineage and authenticate his prophetic calling.
2.
2 Kings 14:25 : "He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which He had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher."
In this passage, Amittai is again identified as Jonah's father, and Jonah is recognized as a prophet from Gath-hepher. This reference situates Jonah within the historical context of the reign of Jeroboam II, king of Israel, and highlights the fulfillment of God's word through Jonah.
Historical and Cultural Context:Amittai's mention in the Bible is brief, and little is known about his personal life or background. However, his identification as the father of Jonah places him within the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a time of significant prophetic activity. Gath-hepher, Jonah's hometown, was located in the region of Zebulun, near Nazareth in Galilee.
The role of a father in ancient Israel was crucial, as it involved not only providing for the family but also imparting spiritual and moral instruction. Amittai's name, meaning "truth," suggests that he may have been a man of integrity and faith, qualities that would have been essential in raising a prophet like Jonah.
Theological Significance:While Amittai himself is not a central figure in biblical narratives, his mention underscores the importance of family lineage and heritage in the prophetic tradition. The identification of prophets by their fathers' names was a common practice, serving to establish their credibility and authority as messengers of God.
In the broader theological context, Amittai's son, Jonah, plays a pivotal role in demonstrating God's mercy and compassion, even towards the enemies of Israel. Jonah's mission to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness, reveals the universal scope of God's concern for repentance and redemption.
Amittai's legacy, therefore, is indirectly tied to the themes of divine justice and mercy that are central to the book of Jonah. His mention in the biblical text serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of family, faith, and the fulfillment of God's purposes through His chosen servants.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Amittaitrue; fearing
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Amittai(true), father of the prophet Jonah. (2 Kings 14:25;Jonah 1:1)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
True, the father of Jonah the prophet, a native of Gath-hepher (
2 Kings 14:25;
Jonah 1:1).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AMITTAIa-mit'-i ('amittay, "faithful"): The father of the prophet Jonah. He was from Gath-hepher in Zebulun (2 Kings 14:25Jonah 1:1).
Strong's Hebrew
573. Amittay -- "true," the father of Jonah... 572, 573. Amittay. 574 . "true," the father of Jonah. Transliteration: Amittay
Phonetic Spelling: (am-it-tah'ee) Short Definition:
Amittai.
...Amittai.
...Library
The Historicity of the Book of Jonah.
... "According to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of
his servant Jonah, the son ofAmittai the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher." 2...
The Prophet Jonah.
... The passage in 2 Kings 14:25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son ofAmittai the
prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the...
"Nineveh, that Great City"
... them, if possible, to repentance. The instrument chosen for this work was
the prophet Jonah, the son ofAmittai. To him came the...
Guilty Silence and Its Reward
... Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son ofAmittai, saying, 2. Arise, go
to Nineveh, that great, city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is...
Lo! the Evil one Reproached Death
... thee, and returned back from Sheol, became my advocate in asking, why sinners were
spared?"4. D., Slander not, O Evil One, the son ofAmittai: he showed a...
Concerning Our Lord, and Concerning Death and Satan
... the Evil One, concerning our Saviour); for this suffices Him not that He has spoiled
us, but likewise on us He has begun retribution for Jonah son ofAmittai....
Jonah the Narrow-Minded Patriot
... This message from Jehovah came to Jonah, the son ofAmittai: "Arise, go to that
great city, Nineveh, and preach against it; for their wickedness is known to me...
Jonah and Micah.
... Chapter XX. Jonah and Micah. Chapter XX. Jonah and Micah. Jonah. The Prophet.
His name means "done," and he is the son ofAmittai....
Happy are Ye Whose Bodies have Been Made to Shine!
... They are no more, the waters of that sea"which were tempestuous, and boiled against
Jonah,"and plunged into the depths the Son ofAmittai."Though he fled...
The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... 9. We learn from 2 Kings 14:25 that Jonah, the son ofAmittai, was of Gath-hepher,
which is undoubtedly the same as Gittah-hepher, a town of the tribe of...
Thesaurus
Amittai (2 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
AMITTAI. a-mit'-i ('amittay, "faithful"): The
father of the prophet Jonah.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Amittai (2 Occurrences).
...Amit'tai (2 Occurrences)
Amit'tai.Amittai, Amit'tai. Ammah . Multi-Version Concordance... (See RSV). Jonah
1:1 And there is a word of Jehovah unto Jonah son ofAmittai, saying: (See RSV...
Gathhepher (1 Occurrence)
... Benjamin of Tudela says that Jonah the son ofAmittai the prophet was buried "in
the mountain" near Sepphoris (Bohn, Early Travels in Palestine, 88)....
Gath-hepher (2 Occurrences)
... Benjamin of Tudela says that Jonah the son ofAmittai the prophet was buried "in
the mountain" near Sepphoris (Bohn, Early Travels in Palestine, 88)....
Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A dove, the son ofAmittai of Gath-hepher. He
was a prophet of Israel, and predicted the restoration of...
Amiss (8 Occurrences)
Lebo (12 Occurrences)
... of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of Yahweh, the God of
Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son ofAmittai, the prophet...
Gath-he'pher (1 Occurrence)
... the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, which
He spoke by the hand of His servant Jonah the son ofAmittai, the prophet...
Boundaries (19 Occurrences)
... of Hamath to the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of Yahweh, the God of
Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son ofAmittai, the prophet...
Limits (69 Occurrences)
... got back the old limits of Israel from the way into Hamath to the sea of the Arabah,
as the Lord had said by his servant Jonah, the son ofAmittai, the prophet...
Resources
Who was Jonah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWas Jonah truly swallowed by a whale? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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