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Jattir

biblical_place theological_term standard

Jattir is a town in the hill country of Judah, later assigned to the priests, and mentioned in connection with David’s distribution of spoil after his victory over the Amalekites.

At a Glance

Biblical town in Judah’s hill country; later a priestly city.

Key Points

Description

Jattir is a biblical place-name for a town in the hill country of Judah. In the conquest and inheritance lists it appears within Judah’s allotted territory, and in the priestly-city lists it is associated with the priests. Jattir is also named in the narrative of David’s return from victory over the Amalekites, when he sent portions of the spoil to towns in Judah. The entry should be understood as a location entry, not as a doctrinal or theological term.

Biblical Context

Jattir belongs to the land-inheritance and settlement pattern of Joshua, where towns are named within tribal allotments and priestly cities are identified. Its later mention in 1 Samuel places it within David’s support for the towns and elders of Judah after battle.

Historical Context

As a town in Judah’s hill country, Jattir reflects the settled geography of southern Israel in the conquest and monarchy periods. Its priestly association indicates that some Judahite towns were set apart for priestly residence and service.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Ancient Israel’s city lists often distinguished between tribal inheritance and priestly settlements. Jattir fits that pattern as a named Judahite town later associated with the priests.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew place-name, usually transliterated Jattir or Yattir; the exact meaning of the name is uncertain.

Theological Significance

Jattir is not a major theological term, but it illustrates the ordered distribution of land in Israel, the provision for priestly cities, and David’s concern for the towns of Judah.

Philosophical Explanation

As a place-name, Jattir serves as a concrete historical marker rather than an abstract concept. Its significance comes from its role in the narrative and settlement structure of Israel.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not treat Jattir as a doctrine or symbolic term. Keep the entry limited to the biblical data and avoid over-precision about archaeology or etymology beyond what the text supports.

Major Views

There is broad agreement that Jattir is a Judahite town later associated with priestly residence. The main uncertainty is limited to details of identification and etymology, not to the basic biblical references.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry should remain descriptive and should not be used to build doctrine. The biblical text presents Jattir as a real place within Israel’s historical geography.

Practical Significance

Jattir reminds readers that Scripture’s history is rooted in real places, real inheritances, and the ordinary towns that formed Israel’s covenant life.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Jattir

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