עַנְּתֹתִי (an.to.ti)
an.to.ti
Anathoth
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The word anatoti is a Hebrew gentilic adjective meaning "of Anathoth" or "Anathothite." It identifies a person as a descendant or inhabitant of the town of Anathoth, which lies just north of Jerusalem. The name of the town itself carries the sense of "affliction," though this lexical entry focuses on the geographic and tribal identity rather than the emotional weight of the root.
In Scripture, this term appears five times, primarily in historical and prophetic records. It is most prominent in the books of Jeremiah and Chronicles, where it serves to locate key figures within their ancestral communities. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah is explicitly identified as an anatoti, grounding his ministry in a specific family lineage from Benjamin (Jeremiah 1:1). Similarly, it appears in lists of returnees and warriors in Ezra and Chronicles, marking those who traced their heritage back to this particular settlement.
This gentilic is essentially a variant spelling of the more common form anatoti found in other texts. Its primary function is topographical and genealogical, anchoring individuals to a place that held significance for the tribes of Israel and Judah. By using this term, the biblical authors connect personal identity to land and ancestry, a central theme in the historical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Anathoth points to a small town north of Jerusalem, identified in Scripture as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah and several of King David’s mighty warriors. This gentilic term, meaning "of Anathoth," serves as a marker of identity, linking individuals to their ancestral roots and tribal heritage within Israel.
For believers today, this word reminds us that God often chooses people from ordinary places to carry out extraordinary purposes. Jeremiah was not selected for his status or location but for his calling, even though he came from a humble village. His story shows that your background does not limit what God can do through you.
Whether in historical records of warriors or prophetic messages, Anathoth highlights how God works through specific families and communities. It invites us to trust that our own origins and connections are part of a larger story where God is at work.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Anathothite5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָֽ/עַנְּתֹתִ֔י1×
- הָֽ/עֲנְּתֹתִ֑י1×
- הָ/עַנְּתֹתִ֖י1×
- הָ/עֲנְּתוֹתִֽי\׃\ \ס1×
- הָ/עֲנְּתֹתִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 29:27
Now therefore, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who makes himself a prophet to you,
This verse identifies Jeremiah by his hometown, highlighting how his prophetic authority was tied to his specific geographic and familial identity.
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II Samuel 23:27
Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
Abiezer is listed as an Anathothite among David’s mighty men, showing that members of this town served in key military roles.
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I Chronicles 12:3
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite;
Jehu the Anathothite is named among those who joined David at Hebron, indicating support from Benjamin for his kingship.