גִּתִּי (git.ti)
git.ti
Gittite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The term gittî identifies a person as an inhabitant or native of Gath, one of the five major Philistine cities. It functions as a geographical demonym, similar to saying someone is from London or Cairo, rather than describing an ethnic lineage. This distinction clarifies that individuals labeled this way were residents of that specific city-state.
Its most notable biblical appearance is in 2 Samuel 15:18 and 1 Chronicles 18:17, where David’s bodyguards are described as gittîm. These were Philistine mercenaries who had defected to serve the Israelite king. The label highlights their foreign origin while acknowledging their loyalty to David’s court during a time of political crisis.
The word appears ten times in Scripture, primarily in historical narratives involving David and Solomon. It serves as a concise marker of identity, reminding readers that David’s inner circle included outsiders who chose to align themselves with the covenant community. This detail underscores the complex social dynamics of ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gittî simply identifies someone as a resident of Gath, one of the major Philistine cities. In the Bible, this label appears ten times, mostly in historical accounts of King David’s reign. It functions like a modern geographic marker, telling us where a person lived rather than defining their entire ethnic lineage or spiritual standing.
These references highlight a surprising detail about David’s inner circle: he employed Philistine mercenaries as loyal bodyguards. Men like Ittai and Obed-Edom were outsiders, yet they stood faithfully by the king during times of crisis. This shows that loyalty to God’s anointed leader was not limited by national borders or past conflicts.
For your faith, this offers a gentle reminder that God often uses unexpected people to fulfill His purposes. It invites us to look beyond surface differences and recognize the faithful hearts among us. Whether from near or far, those who align themselves with truth are valued in the community of believers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Gittite8×
- the/ Gittites1×
- the/ Gittite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גִּתִּ֔י4×
- הַ/גִּתִּֽי\׃2×
- הַ/גִּתִּי֙1×
- הַ/גִּתִּ֞ים1×
- הַ/גִּתִּ֖י1×
- הַ/גִּתִּ֑י\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 15:18
All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
This verse lists the Gittites among David’s personal guard, showing their trusted role during Absalom’s rebellion.
-
II Samuel 15:19
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner and also an exile. Return to your own place.
David addresses Ittai as a foreigner and exile, acknowledging his outsider status while testing his loyalty.
-
II Samuel 6:11
Yahweh’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom and all his house.
The blessing of Obed-Edom’s household demonstrates that God’s presence rests upon those who honor His ark, regardless of origin.
-
I Chronicles 20:5
Again there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
This record identifies Lahmi as Goliath’s brother, clarifying the family connection through the demonym 'Gittite'.