The term "Gittite" refers to an inhabitant of the Philistine city of Gath, one of the five major Philistine cities mentioned in the Bible. Gath is historically significant as a city that frequently interacted with the Israelites, often in the context of conflict but also in instances of peaceful coexistence.

Biblical References:

1. Goliath the Gittite: The most famous Gittite in the Bible is Goliath, the giant warrior defeated by David. Goliath's account is recounted in 1 Samuel 17, where he is described as a champion from Gath who defied the armies of Israel. His defeat by the young shepherd David is a pivotal moment in biblical history, symbolizing God's power to deliver His people through unexpected means.

2. Ittai the Gittite: Another notable Gittite is Ittai, a loyal follower of King David. During Absalom's rebellion, Ittai demonstrated remarkable loyalty to David. In 2 Samuel 15:19-22 , David offers Ittai the chance to return to his homeland, but Ittai chooses to stay with David, saying, "As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether in death or life, there will your servant be." Ittai's faithfulness is a testament to the strong bonds that could form between Israelites and foreigners who embraced the God of Israel.

3. Obed-Edom the Gittite: Obed-Edom is another Gittite mentioned in the context of the Ark of the Covenant. After the death of Uzzah, David temporarily placed the Ark in the house of Obed-Edom. According to 2 Samuel 6:10-11 , "So David was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD to the City of David; instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and all his household." This account highlights the blessings that come from hosting the presence of God, even for a non-Israelite.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Gath, the city associated with the Gittites, was one of the principal cities of the Philistines, a group often in conflict with the Israelites. The Philistines were known for their advanced iron technology and formidable military presence. Despite the frequent hostilities, the interactions between Israelites and Gittites, as seen in the accounts of Ittai and Obed-Edom, illustrate moments of peace and mutual respect.

Theological Significance:

The inclusion of Gittites in the biblical narrative underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the universality of His covenant. The accounts of Gittites like Ittai and Obed-Edom demonstrate that God's blessings and purposes extend beyond the ethnic boundaries of Israel. These accounts serve as reminders of the inclusivity of God's kingdom and the potential for faithfulness and loyalty among all people, regardless of their origin.

In summary, the Gittites, while originating from a city often at odds with Israel, are depicted in the Bible as individuals capable of great loyalty and recipients of God's blessings. Their accounts contribute to the broader biblical narrative of God's interaction with humanity and His desire for all people to know Him.A native of the Philistine city of Gath (Joshua 13:3). Obed-edom, in whose house the ark was placed, is so designated (2 Samuel 6:10). Six hundred Gittites came with David from Gath into Israel (15:18, 19). 1663. Gitti -- an inhabitant of Gath
... an inhabitant of Gath. Transliteration: Gitti Phonetic Spelling: (ghit-tee') Short
Definition: Gittite. ... of Gath NASB Word Usage Gittite (9), Gittites (1). ...
/hebrew/1663.htm - 6k

1665. Gittith -- a musical term of unc. meaning.
... of Gitti Definition a musical term of unc. meaning. Gittith Feminine of Gittiy;
a Gittite harp -- Gittith. see HEBREW Gittiy. 1664, 1665. Gittith. 1666 . ...
/hebrew/1665.htm - 6k

863. Ittay -- perhaps "companionable," an Israelite, also a ...
... Ithai, Ittai Or tiythay {ee-thah'ee}; from 'eth; near; Ittai or Ithai, the name
of a Gittite and of an Israelite -- Ithai, Ittai. see HEBREW 'eth. 862b, 863. ...
/hebrew/863.htm - 5k

The Ark of the House of Obed-Edom
... 'The ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months;
and the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.'-2 SAMUEL vi.11. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the ark of the house.htm

Death and Life from the Ark
... 10. So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David:
but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.11. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/death and life from the.htm

Absalom the Ungrateful Son
... the people who followed him went out and stood at the last house, while all the
officers and the royal body-guard and all the men of Ittai the Gittite, the six ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/absalom the ungrateful son.htm

Jerusalem Made the Capital City
... come to me?" So David was not willing to remove the ark of Jehovah to the City of
David, but carried it aside to the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite, and it ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jerusalem made the capital city.htm

Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord My Banner. Ex 17:15
... To aim the dreadful blow,. When he Goliath fought,. And laid the Gittite low? No
sword nor spear the stripling took,. But chose a pebble from the brook. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 17 jehovah-nissi the lord.htm

A Loyal Vow
... down amongst us, and He says, 'I gave Myself for thee; what givest thou to Me?'
O brethren, let us answer with that brave, chivalrous old Gittite:"'As the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a loyal vow.htm

Gittite (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gittite (10 Occurrences). ... 2 Samuel 15:19 Then the
king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why do you also go with us? ...
/g/gittite.htm - 10k

Gittite's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gittite's (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 21:19 There
was again war with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan the ...
/g/gittite's.htm - 6k

Elhanan (4 Occurrences)
... to bring this passage into agreement with 1 Chronicles 20:5, where it is said that
he "slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath." Goliath the Gittite was killed by ...
/e/elhanan.htm - 10k

Obed-edom (16 Occurrences)
Obed-edom. Obededom, Obed-edom. O'bed-e'dom . Easton's Bible Dictionary Servant
of Edom. (1.) "The Gittite" (probably so called because he was a native of ...
/o/obed-edom.htm - 15k

Obededom (15 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Servant of Edom. (1.) "The Gittite" (probably so called
because he was a native of Gath-rimmon), a Levite of the family of the ...
/o/obededom.htm - 14k

Gittites (2 Occurrences)
... Samuel 15:18; 2 Samuel 18:2). Obed-edom, to whom David entrusted the ark when he
was frustrated in bringing it into the city of David, was a Gittite (2 Samuel 6 ...
/g/gittites.htm - 8k

Ittai (9 Occurrences)
... it'-ai, it'-i ('ittay, 'ithay): (1) A Gittite or native of Gath, one of David's
chief captains and most faithful friends during the rebellion of Absalom (2 ...
/i/ittai.htm - 12k

O'bed-e'dom (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 6:10 So David would not move the ark of Yahweh to be with him in the city
of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite...
/o/o'bed-e'dom.htm - 10k

It'tai (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance It'tai (7 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 15:19 Then the
king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why do you also go with us? ...
/i/it'tai.htm - 8k

Jaareoregim (1 Occurrence)
... or'e-gim (ya`are'oreghim): In 2 Samuel 21:19, given as the name of a Bethlehemite,
father of Elhanan, who is said to have slain Goliath the Gittite (compare 1 ...
/j/jaareoregim.htm - 8k

Who killed Goliath, David or Elhanan? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Obed in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Obed-Edom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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