Topical Encyclopedia
Jether is a name that appears several times in the Old Testament, associated with different individuals. The name Jether is of Hebrew origin, meaning "abundance" or "excellence." Below are the notable mentions of Jether in the Bible:
1.
Jether, the Father of Amasa: Jether is identified as the father of Amasa, who was a commander in the army of Absalom and later in the army of David. In
1 Chronicles 2:17, Jether is referred to as an Ishmaelite: "Amasa was the son of Jether the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab." This connection places Jether within the broader narrative of David's family and the political dynamics of his reign.
2.
Jether, the Son of Gideon: In
Judges 8:20, Jether is mentioned as the eldest son of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal. During the pursuit of the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna, Gideon instructs Jether to kill them: "He said to Jether his firstborn, 'Get up and kill them.' But the young man did not draw his sword; he was afraid, because he was still a youth." Jether's hesitation highlights his youth and inexperience, contrasting with the warrior culture of the time.
3.
Jether, a Descendant of Asher: In
1 Chronicles 7:38, Jether is listed as one of the sons of Japhlet, a descendant of Asher: "The sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were the sons of Japhlet." This mention situates Jether within the genealogical records of the tribes of Israel, emphasizing the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative.
4.
Jether, a Judahite: In
1 Chronicles 4:17, Jether is mentioned as a member of the tribe of Judah: "The sons of Ezrah: Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. And Mered’s wife bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa." This reference places Jether within the context of the tribe of Judah, which holds significant prominence in the biblical history of Israel.
The various individuals named Jether in the Bible reflect the commonality of the name in ancient Israel and its association with different tribes and families. Each mention of Jether contributes to the rich tapestry of biblical history, illustrating the diverse roles and backgrounds of those who bore the name.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Jetherhe that excels
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jether(his excellence).
- Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. (Exodus 4:18) (B.C. 1530.)
- The first-born of Gideon's seventy sons. (Judges 8:20) (B.C. 1256.)
- The father of Amasa, captain-general of Absalom's army. (B.C. 1023.) Jether is another form ofITHRA. (2 Samuel 17:25) He is described in (1 Chronicles 2:17) as an Ishmaelite, which again is more likely to be correct than the "Israelite" of the Hebrew in (2 Samuel 17:1) ...
- The son of Jada, a descendant of Hezron, of the tribe of Judah. (1 Chronicles 2:32)
- The son of Ezra. (1 Chronicles 2:32)
- The chief of a family of warriors of the line of Asher, and father of Jephunneh. (1 Chronicles 7:38) He is probably the same asITHRAN in the preceding verse.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Surplus; excellence.
(1.) Father-in-law of Moses (Exodus 4:18 marg.), called elsewhere Jethro (q.v.).
(2.) The oldest of Gideon's seventy sons (Judges 8:20).
(3.) The father of Amasa, David's general (1 Kings 2:5, 32); called Ithra (2 Samuel 17:25).
(4.)1 Chronicles 7:38.
(5.)1 Chronicles 2:32; one of Judah's posterity.
(6.)1 Chronicles 4:17.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JETHERje'-ther (yether, "abundance"):
(1)Exodus 4:18 the Revised Version margin, King James Version, margin.
SeeJETHRO.
(2) Gideon's eldest son (Judges 8:20), who was called upon by his father to slay Zebah and Zalmunnah, but "feared, because he was yet a youth." The narrative there (Judges 8:4) should be connected with that ofJudges 6:34, where Gideon is followed by his clan, and not with that ofJudges 7, where he has 300 picked men. The captives would be taken to Orpah, Gideon's home, and slain there.
(3) Father of Amasa (1 Kings 2:5, 32); he was an Ishmaelite according to1 Chronicles 2:17 = "Ithra, the Israelite" of2 Samuel 17:25, where "the Ishmaelite" should be read for "the Israelite."
(4) A Jerahmeelite (1 Chronicles 2:32 twice).
(5) A Judahite (1 Chronicles 4:17).
(6) A man of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:38) = "Ithran" of1 Chronicles 7:37.
David Francis Roberts
Strong's Hebrew
3500. Yether -- Moses' father-in-law, also the name of several...... Moses' father-in-law, also the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Yether
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh'-ther) Short Definition:
Jether.
...Jether, Jethro.
...3505. Yithri -- descendant of Jethro
... of Jethro NASB Word Usage Ithrite (4), Ithrites (1). Ithrite. Patronymically from
Yether; a Jithrite or descendant ofJether -- Ithrite. see HEBREW Yether....
Library
The Horns of the Altar
... them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son
of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa, the son ofJether, captain of...
What Charge David Gave Tohis Son Solomon at the Approach of his...
... captain of the host, who hath slain two generals out of envy, and those righteous
and good men, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son ofJether; whose death...
Gideon's Brave Band
... Then he said toJether, his oldest son, "Up and kill them." But the boy did not
draw his sword, because he was afraid, for he was only a boy....
Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... R.27 Jethro is proved to have been a convert, from the circumstances that his original
name had beenJether (Exodus 4:18), an additional letter (Jethro)....
Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
... shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample
under feet." Are we not often too much like the young manJether, who was...
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... saved them alive, I would not slay you. And he said untoJether his firstborn,
Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword...
Thesaurus
Jether (8 Occurrences)...JETHER. je'-ther (yether, "abundance"): (1) Exodus 4:18 the Revised Version margin,
King James Version, margin.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Jether (8 Occurrences).
...Amasa (13 Occurrences)
... is the son of Abigail, the sister of Zeruiah and David, and Ithra, an Israelite;
but another source, 1 Chronicles 2:17, calls his fatherJether the Ishmaelite....
Ama'sa (12 Occurrences)
... son of Zeruiah did unto me, even what he did to the two captains of the hosts of
Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner and unto Amasa the son ofJether, whom he...
Shammai (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). 1 Chronicles 2:32 The sons of Jada the
brother of Shammai:Jether, and Jonathan; andJether died without children....
Jada (2 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Chronicles 2:32 The sons of Jada the brother of Shammai:Jether,
and Jonathan; andJether died without children. (WEB KJV...
Jetheth (2 Occurrences)
... theth (yetheth, meaning unknown): a chief (or clan) of Edom (Genesis 36:40 parallel
1 Chronicles 1:51), but probably a mistake for "Jether" = "Ithran" (Genesis...
Jephunneh (16 Occurrences)
... (2) A son ofJether, an Asherite (1 Chronicles 7:38). Multi-Version Concordance... 1
Chronicles 7:38 The sons ofJether: Jephunneh, and Pispa, and Ara....
Pispa (1 Occurrence)
... PISPA. pis'-pa (picpa', "dipersion," the King James Version Pispah): A son ofJether,
an Asherite (1 Chronicles 7:38). Multi-Version Concordance...
Childless (25 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 2:32 And the sons of Jada the brother of Shammai:Jether,
and Jonathan: andJether died without children. (See RSV)....
Ara (1 Occurrence)
... a'-ra ('ara', meaning unknown): A son ofJether of the tribe of Asher (1 Chronicles
7:38).... 1 Chronicles 7:38 The sons ofJether: Jephunneh, and Pispa, and Ara....
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