Jetheth is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogies of the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, in the Old Testament. He is identified as one of the chiefs of Edom, a region and people descended from Esau, who is also known as Edom. The name Jetheth appears in the context of the Edomite chiefs, who were leaders or clan heads within the Edomite society.

Biblical References:

Jetheth is specifically mentioned in the Book of Genesis and the Book of 1 Chronicles, which provide genealogical records of Esau's descendants. These records are significant as they trace the lineage and establish the historical and familial connections of the Edomites.

1. Genesis 36:40-43 : "These are the names of Esau’s chiefs, according to their families and regions, by their names: Chief Timna, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth, Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. (This is Esau, the father of the Edomites.)"

2. 1 Chronicles 1:51 : "When Hadad died, the chiefs of Edom were: Chief Timna, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth, Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram."

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Edomites were a significant group in the ancient Near East, often interacting with the Israelites. The genealogies of Esau's descendants, including Jetheth, highlight the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4). Esau, as a son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, became the progenitor of the Edomites, a distinct nation that played a role in the biblical narrative.

The mention of chiefs like Jetheth underscores the organized social structure of the Edomites, who were divided into clans or tribes, each led by a chief. This structure is similar to that of other ancient Semitic peoples, including the Israelites, who were organized into tribes led by patriarchal figures.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of Edomite genealogies in the Bible serves several purposes. It demonstrates the historical reality of the Edomites as a neighboring nation to Israel, often in conflict but also sharing a common ancestry through Isaac. The genealogies also reflect the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all nations and His unfolding plan for humanity, which includes both the chosen line of Israel and the surrounding nations.

Jetheth, as a chief of Edom, represents the fulfillment of God's word to Rebekah that "two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23). This prophecy highlights the complex relationship between the descendants of Esau and Jacob, with the Edomites often serving as both adversaries and kin to the Israelites throughout biblical history.Jetheth

giving

Jetheth

(a nail), one of the "dukes" who came of Esau. (Genesis 36:40; 1 Chronicles 1:51)

A peg, or a prince, one of the Edomitish kings of Mount Seir (Genesis 36:40). JETHETH

je'-theth (yetheth, meaning unknown): a chief (or clan) of Edom (Genesis 36:40 parallel 1 Chronicles 1:51), but probably a mistake for "Jether" = "Ithran" (Genesis 36:26).

3509. Yetheth -- an Edomite
... 3508, 3509. Yetheth. 3510 . an Edomite. Transliteration: Yetheth Phonetic Spelling:
(yeh-thayth') Short Definition: Jetheth. ... Jetheth, an Edomite: ...
/hebrew/3509.htm - 5k

Chapter xxxvi
... of the chiefs of Esau by clans according to their place of residence, name by name:
the chief of Timna, the chief of Alvah, the chief of Jetheth, the chief of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Jetheth (2 Occurrences)
... 36:40). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JETHETH. je'-theth (yetheth ... 36:26).
Multi-Version Concordance Jetheth (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:40 ...
/j/jetheth.htm - 7k

Timna (6 Occurrences)
... names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their
places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, (WEB KJV ...
/t/timna.htm - 9k

Dukes (14 Occurrences)
... are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after
their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth, (KJV WBS). ...
/d/dukes.htm - 10k

Alvah (2 Occurrences)
... names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their
places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, (WEB KJV ...
/a/alvah.htm - 7k

Duke (14 Occurrences)
... are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after
their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth, (Root in ...
/d/duke.htm - 13k

Timnah (12 Occurrences)
... are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after
their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth, (KJV WBS ...
/t/timnah.htm - 13k

Jether (8 Occurrences)

/j/jether.htm - 11k

Jethlah (1 Occurrence)

/j/jethlah.htm - 6k

Localities (1 Occurrence)
... names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their
places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, (See NAS). ...
/l/localities.htm - 6k

Families (272 Occurrences)
... names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their
places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, (WEB KJV ...
/f/families.htm - 38k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus