פּוּתִי (pu.ti)
pu.ti
Puthite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term puṭî refers to a member of the Puthite family, a specific lineage within the tribe of Judah. This gentilic noun appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, located in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:53. The text lists them among the descendants of Jerahmeel, situating them within the broader tribal structure of Judah during the period of settlement.
Etymologically, the name derives from Puth (or Puṭ), though the exact identity of this ancestor remains unclear beyond his mention here. Some lexical sources suggest a connection to the concept of "openness," but this interpretation is speculative and not universally accepted. The primary function of the word is simply to identify this particular clan within the extensive family trees that occupy much of the early chapters of Chronicles.
Because it occurs in such a restricted context, the word carries no independent theological weight or narrative action. It serves as a marker of identity and lineage rather than a term for doctrine or practice. Its presence highlights the chronicler’s attention to preserving the details of Judah’s tribal divisions, ensuring that even minor families like the Puthites are recorded in the historical memory of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read through the long lists of names in 1 Chronicles, it is easy to feel disconnected from the text. These genealogies can seem like dry records of ancient history, but they carry a quiet message about God’s care for detail. The word Puthite appears only once here, marking a specific family within the tribe of Judah. This single mention reminds us that every person and lineage has a place in the broader story of Israel.
This inclusion shows that God values identity and heritage. Even families that are not famous or powerful are remembered by name. For your faith life, this offers comfort: you are known fully by God, just as these ancestors were recorded. Your history, no matter how ordinary it may seem, is part of a larger narrative that He sustains.
Reflecting on this helps us see our own place in the community of believers. We are all connected to something greater than ourselves. This word invites us to appreciate the richness of our spiritual family and to trust that God keeps track of every detail of our lives, ensuring we are never forgotten.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ the/ Puthite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הַ/פּוּתִ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:53
The families of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; from them came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.
This verse lists the Puthites alongside other families in Kiriath Jearim, showing their specific place within the tribal structure of Judah.