עַתַּי (at.tay)
at.tay
Attai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name At.tay means "opportune" or "fitting time." In Scripture, it appears only three times, always referring to a man named Attai during the era of the divided monarchy. The brevity of these mentions highlights how ordinary names can carry significant theological weight when attached to historical figures.
Lexical sources identify two distinct individuals bearing this name. One is a Judahite from the lineage of Sheshan, whose grandson Zabad served as one of David’s mighty warriors (1 Chronicles 2:35; 12:11). The other is the second son of King Rehoboam and Maacah, mentioned in the genealogies of 2 Chronicles 11:20. Though their roles differ—one a warrior, the other royal offspring—the shared name suggests a cultural appreciation for divine timing.
The etymology of At.tay points to a sense of rightness or suitability. In ancient Israelite naming practices, such meanings often reflected parental hopes or observations about God’s providence. The recurrence of this name in both military and royal lines may indicate its prominence among Judah’s elite during the early monarchy period.
While the Bible does not elaborate on these men’s personal stories, their inclusion in the sacred text reminds readers that every generation has its own "opportune" moments within God’s broader narrative. The name itself serves as a quiet witness to the belief that timing matters in divine purposes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name At.tay carries the quiet weight of divine timing. It appears in Scripture not as a title for God, but as a human identifier, yet its meaning—"opportune" or "fitting time"—reminds us that our lives are woven into a larger story. Whether in the lineage of warriors or royal families, these brief mentions show that every person has a place in God’s historical narrative.
For your faith, this word invites trust in God’s schedule. We often feel out of step with His plans, but At.tay suggests that there is a rightness to the moments we inhabit. You do not need to force outcomes; instead, you can rest in the assurance that your life, like these ancient names, holds significance within the broader tapestry of redemption.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Attai2×
- and/ Attai1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַתָּֽי\׃1×
- עַתַּ֔י1×
- וְ/עַתַּי֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:35
Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as wife; and she bore him Attai.
This verse establishes Attai’s lineage through Sheshan, highlighting how family history preserves identity and continuity in Judah.
-
I Chronicles 2:36
Attai became the father of Nathan, and Nathan became the father of Zabad,
Here the genealogical line continues to Nathan and Zabad, showing that even minor figures are part of a lasting ancestral record.
-
II Chronicles 11:20
After her, he took Maacah the granddaughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.
This occurrence places Attai in the royal family of Rehoboam, illustrating how names were passed down through generations of leadership.