פִּרְעָתוֹנִי (pir.a.to.ni)
pir.a.to.ni
Pirathon
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The word piratonî is a Hebrew gentilic adjective meaning "from Pirathon," identifying a person as an inhabitant of that specific town. It appears five times in the Old Testament, primarily within the books of Judges, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Samuel. The term functions strictly as a geographic marker, linking individuals to their place of origin rather than describing a character trait or social status.
Its root noun, Pirathon, is etymologically linked to the Hebrew word for "prince" or "noble," suggesting the town may have been associated with leadership or prominence in its region. However, the adjective itself does not carry this meaning; it simply denotes origin. In Judges 12:13 and 15, Abdon son of Hillel is called a Pirathonite, while 1 Chronicles 8:30-31 and 12:31 list other family members from the same location.
Translators consistently render this word as "Pirathonite" to preserve the proper noun distinction. The variation in spelling between piratonî and piratoni reflects minor textual differences in Hebrew manuscripts but refers to the same group of people. This entry highlights how biblical geography often serves to anchor historical narratives in real, named communities.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in Scripture often serve as anchors, grounding abstract spiritual truths in real places and people. When we encounter the term "Pirathonite," we are not reading a theological treatise but a historical marker. It identifies individuals like Abdon or Benaiah by their hometown, reminding us that God’s work has always been carried out through specific communities with distinct local identities.
This focus on geography highlights the tangible nature of faith. The leaders who guided Israel were not faceless archetypes; they came from actual towns like Pirathon in the hill country of Ephraim. Their origins mattered because they connected them to their families, their land, and their neighbors. It shows that our own backgrounds and communities are part of how God places us in history.
Even when a name appears only in a list, it signals that every person has a place in God’s narrative. Whether you are from a large city or a small village, your origin is known to Him. These brief references invite us to see our own local contexts as valid stages for faithful living, trusting that God uses ordinary places for His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Pirathonite4×
- [the] Pirathonite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פִּרְעָ֣תֹנִ֔י1×
- הַ/פִּרְעָתוֹנִֽי\׃1×
- הַ/פִּרְעָתוֹנִ֖י1×
- הַ/פִּרְעָתוֹנִ֑י1×
- הַ/פִּרְעָתֹנִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 12:13
After him, Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel.
This verse establishes Abdon’s identity as a judge specifically through his hometown, linking leadership authority to local community roots.
-
II Samuel 23:30
Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash.
Benaiah is listed among David’s mighty men by this title, showing that military valor was recognized alongside one's geographic origin.
-
I Chronicles 11:31
Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
The chronicler repeats Benaiah’s title to reinforce his lineage and regional affiliation within the broader roster of David’s officers.