Lexical Definition
יֶתֶר Yether (yeh'-ther) Jether N:N-M-P
the same as יֶתֶר
Jether, Jethro. Compare יִתְרוֹ.
- § Jether = "abundance"
- Jether, the name of five or six Israelites and of one Midianite
1) father-in-law of Moses
2) oldest son of Gideon
3) father of Jephunneh and the chief of a line of warriors of the line of Asher
4) father of Amasa, the commander of Absalom's army
5) son of Jada, a descendant of Hezron, of the tribe of Judah
6) a son of Ezra, a Judaite
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.17.25 married to Abigail (אֲבִיגַיִל)
- father of: Amasa (עֲמָשָׂא); also called Ithra at 2Sa.17.25
- Also named: yit.ra (יִתְרָא "Ithra" יִתְרָא)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
III. יֶ֫תֶר proper name, masculine (abundance; on form and meaning of this and the following proper name see LagBN 52, 198) —
1. father of Moses' wife Exod 4:18 a (E; probably text error, elsewhere יִתְרוֺ, q. v.)
2. eldest son of Gideon Judg 8:20, ᵐ5 Ιεθερ.
3. father of Amasa 1Kgs 2:5; 1Kgs 2:32; 1Chr 2:17, ᵐ5 Ιεθερ; = יִתְרָא 2Sam 17:25, ᵐ5 Ιοθερ, Ιοθορ; ᵐ5L Ιεθερ.
4. men of Judah, ᵐ5 Ιεθερ:
a. 1Chr 2:32 (twice in verse).
b. 1Chr 4:17.
5. a man of Asher 1Chr 7:38 ( = יִתְרָן v1Chr 7:37), ᵐ5 Ιεθερ, A Ιεθηρ, ᵐ5L [1Chr 7:39](/btb/not_created.html)] Εθραν.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Exodus | 4:18 |
| Judges | 8:20 |
| 2 Samuel | 17:25 |
| 1 Kings | 2:5 · 2:32 |
| 1 Chronicles | 2:17 · 2:32 · 4:17 · 7:37 · 7:38 · 7:39 |
Profile
Male • An Ishmaelite • An Ishmaelite, father of Amasa.
Ishmaelite living at the time of United Monarchy
Jether, also known as Ithra, was an Ishmaelite and the father of Amasa, who was Absalom's commander and later killed by Joab.
- An Ishmaelite living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.17.25;
- referred to as Jether יֶתֶר, or Ithra (NIV= Jether) יִתְרָא;
- husband of Abigail אֲבִיגַיִל;
- father of Amasa עֲמָשָׂא.
Jether, also known as Ithra, was an Ishmaelite and the father of Amasa. Amasa was the son of Jether and Abigail, who was David's sister. Despite being David's nephew, Amasa sided with Absalom during his rebellion against David and was appointed as the commander of Absalom's army. After Absalom's death, David offered Amasa the position of commander over his army, replacing Joab. However, when Amasa failed to mobilize the troops quickly enough, David sent Abishai to pursue the rebel Sheba. Joab, who had been demoted, accompanied Abishai and took the opportunity to kill Amasa, viewing him as a threat to his position. The fact that Jether is described as an Ishmaelite suggests that he was not an Israelite, which may have contributed to Amasa's complex loyalties within David's family and kingdom.
All entries for Jether or Ithra: יֶתֶר ☩ יִתְרָא