Ittai
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Ittai in the Bible?
Ittai, identified as a Gittite, served as a commander of David's foreign mercenaries and remained loyal to the king during Absalom's rebellion, later leading one of the three divisions of David's army in the battle against Absalom's forces.
SIGNIFICANCE
Ittai's narrative demonstrates the reliance of the Davidic monarchy on diverse military alliances and highlights the political complexity of succession crises in ancient Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Ittai reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ittai in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ittai clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Ittai." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ittai/