כִּתִּי (kit.ti)
kit.ti
Kittim
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The proper noun Kittim refers to people associated with Cyprus or, more broadly, the western islands of the Mediterranean. In Genesis 10:4, it appears as one of the sons of Javan, grandson of Noah, linking these communities to the broader family of nations descended from Japheth. This genealogical placement establishes them as distinct neighbors to Israel, often representing distant, maritime powers.
In prophetic literature, particularly Isaiah and Jeremiah, the term shifts from a specific ethnic label to a symbol for imperial forces coming from the sea. The sources note that Kittim is frequently used to describe Greek or Hellenistic armies, such as those of Alexander the Great or later Seleucid rulers. This usage reflects their origin in the island regions west of Judea.
The etymology offers a vivid detail: some ancient interpretations connect the name to the Hebrew root for "bruising" or "striking." This linguistic link underscores how Israelite writers viewed these foreign powers—not just as distant traders, but as formidable military forces that would disrupt the region. The word thus carries weight beyond geography, pointing to the impact of external empires on biblical history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Kittim originally identified people from Cyprus and nearby western islands. In Genesis, it appears as a son of Javan, placing these communities within the broader family of nations descended from Noah. This genealogical record reminds us that all peoples are connected through shared ancestry, regardless of distance or culture.
Later biblical writers used Kittim to symbolize powerful empires arriving by sea. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah saw ships from this region as instruments of judgment or change. Daniel 11:30 describes these ships disturbing the holy covenant, showing how external forces can challenge faith and community stability.
Understanding Kittim helps us see history through a theological lens. It teaches that no empire is beyond God’s sovereignty. Even when foreign powers rise to disrupt, believers are called to trust in God’s ultimate plan rather than fear the shifting tides of political power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Kittim4×
- Cyprus3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כִּתִּ֖ים3×
- כִּתִּים֙2×
- כִּתִּ֔ים1×
- כִתִּיִּים֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:4
The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
This verse establishes Kittim as a distinct nation descended from Javan, grounding the term in historical genealogy rather than just prophecy.
-
Isaiah 23:1
The burden of Tyre. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. From the land of Kittim it is revealed to them.
Here Kittim is the source of news about Tyre’s destruction, showing how distant maritime powers could rapidly impact established trading cities.
-
Daniel 11:30
For ships of Kittim will come against him. Therefore he will be grieved, and will return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and will take action. He will even return, and have regard to those who forsake the holy covenant.
This passage links ships of Kittim to active opposition against the holy covenant, illustrating the word’s use for hostile imperial forces.