חֻשָׁתִי (chu.sha.ti)
chu.sha.ti
Hushathite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The Hebrew term chu.sha.ti functions as a gentilic adjective, identifying an individual as either an inhabitant of Hushah or a descendant of a man named Hushath. It appears only five times in the biblical text, serving as a specific geographic or familial marker for two notable figures within Israel’s military history.
These occurrences are concentrated in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, where the title distinguishes two warriors from David’s elite corps of mighty men. In 2 Samuel 21:18, it identifies one of these soldiers who participated in a significant battle against the Philistines, highlighting how local origins were recorded alongside personal valor.
While the exact location of Hushah remains uncertain, the word underscores the importance of lineage and regional identity in ancient Israel. By attaching this label to David’s champions, the text preserves their specific heritage within the broader narrative of the kingdom’s military successes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The term chu.sha.ti identifies a person from Hushah, appearing only five times in Scripture to mark two specific warriors: Sibbecai and Mebunnai. These men were part of King David’s elite corps, known as the mighty men. Their inclusion in the biblical record shows that God values the contributions of individuals from every tribe and town, not just the most famous leaders.
In 2 Samuel 21:18, Sibbecai is recorded killing Saph, a descendant of giants, during a battle at Gob. This detail reminds us that ordinary people, when faithful to their calling, can play decisive roles in history. Your background and origins are part of your story, but it is your faithfulness that leaves a lasting mark.
These brief mentions preserve the names of men who served with courage and loyalty. They stand as quiet witnesses to the idea that God uses many different people to accomplish His purposes. We can find comfort in knowing that our own faithful service, however small it may seem, is seen and remembered by God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Hushathite5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/חֻ֣שָׁתִ֔י2×
- הַ/חֻשָׁתִֽי\׃\ \ס1×
- הַ/חֻשָׁתִ֖י1×
- הַ/חֻֽשָׁתִ֗י1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 21:18
After this, there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was of the sons of the giant.
This verse highlights Sibbecai’s role in a specific battle against the Philistines at Gob, showing how his identity as a Hushathite is tied to a moment of military victory.
-
I Chronicles 11:29
Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
Here, Sibbecai is listed among David’s mighty men in a parallel account to 2 Samuel, confirming his status as a key leader in the king’s army.
-
I Chronicles 27:11
The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zerahites. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
This passage identifies Sibbecai as the captain for the eighth month, demonstrating that his service was organized and sustained over time within the royal division system.