רָמָתִי (ra.ma.ti)
ra.ma.ti
Ramathite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The Hebrew word rāmātî is a rare gentilic adjective meaning "Ramathite" or "inhabitant of Ramah." It appears only once in the entire Bible, in 1 Chronicles 27:27, where it identifies an official responsible for the stores in the cities, villages, and fortresses belonging to the tribe of Benjamin.
The term derives from the proper noun Rama, which literally means "high place" or "height." While some sources suggest a connection to a person named Ramath, the consensus leans toward a geographical origin. The suffix -î marks the word as an adjective indicating origin or association, effectively labeling the individual as someone from that specific highland location.
This single occurrence highlights how biblical genealogies and administrative lists often preserve local identities that might otherwise be lost. By using this title, the text anchors the official’s identity to a physical place, reminding readers that even in royal service, personal heritage and hometown roots remained significant markers of status and belonging.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ramathite points to a person rooted in a specific place, likely meaning "from the high places." In 1 Chronicles 27:27, this title identifies Shimei as an official over vineyards for the tribe of Benjamin. This detail shows that biblical records value local identity and heritage even within large administrative structures.
Your own background and community shape who you are today. Just as Shimei was known by his hometown, your faith journey is grounded in real relationships and history. These connections remind us that God uses ordinary places and people for His purposes. You belong to a larger story that includes your family, church, and local context.
Take comfort in knowing that your origins matter to God. He sees the details of your life and uses them for good. Let this truth encourage you to honor your roots while growing in faith together with others.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Ramathite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/רָֽמָתִ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 27:27
Over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite. Over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite.
This verse uses the term to identify Shimei as the official over vineyards, linking his role directly to his place of origin.