Zithri

At a Glance

Old Testament personal name

Key Points

• Proper name, not a theological term
• At least one bearer is a Levite listed in Exodus 6:22
• The name appears in more than one Old Testament context

Description

Zithri is a biblical personal name rather than a theological concept. The clearest Old Testament occurrence names Zithri among the sons of Uzziel in the Levitical genealogy of Exodus 6:22. The workbook indicates that the name is borne by more than one individual, so the entry should be classified as a proper-name article and not as a theological term. The safest public treatment is a concise name entry that distinguishes the biblical name from any doctrine or theme.

Biblical Context

Biblical genealogies and name lists preserve tribal, Levitical, and family identity. Zithri belongs to that category of proper names used to track covenant people and their family lines.

Historical Context

In the Old Testament world, genealogical records were important for inheritance, service, and identity. Names such as Zithri appear in these records without functioning as theological keywords.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Second Temple and later Jewish readers typically treated names in genealogies as markers of lineage and tribal identity. Such names are historical identifiers rather than doctrinal terms.

Primary Key Texts

• Exodus 6:22

Original Language Note

The name is transliterated from Hebrew as Zithri (זִתְרִי); its precise etymology is uncertain.

Theological Significance

Zithri has no major doctrinal content. Its significance is mainly historical and genealogical, helping readers follow the Levitical line and the people named in Scripture.

Philosophical Explanation

This is a reference-name, not an abstract concept. Its meaning lies in identifying a person in the biblical record rather than in expressing a theological proposition.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not confuse Zithri with similar-sounding biblical names such as Zichri or Sithri. Treat the entry as a proper name, not as a doctrine or symbolic term.

Major Views

There are no major interpretive schools attached to the name itself. The main issue is identification and proper classification.

Doctrinal Boundaries

No doctrine should be built on the name alone. Any theological use must remain secondary to the plain historical and genealogical function of the text.

Practical Significance

The entry helps readers keep track of biblical family lines and recognize that Scripture may use the same name for more than one person.

Related Entries

• Elzaphan
• Uzziel
• Levites
• genealogy

See Also

• Exodus 6
• biblical names
• Levitical genealogy