Jattir
“Pre-eminent”
Summary
A Levitical city in the hill country of Judah to which David sent presents from the Amalekite spoil.
☩Location and History
Jattir was a town in the mountainous region of Judah, mentioned alongside Shamir and Socoh. It was assigned to the priests as one of the Levitical cities. During David's fugitive years, he frequented this area and maintained friendships there. After his victory over the Amalekites at Ziklag, David sent gifts from the spoil to his friends in Jattir and other towns where he had found refuge.
☩Identification
The site is identified with modern Khirbet 'Attir, an important ruin about fifteen miles south of Hebron and five miles north of ancient Moladah. It lies in the extreme south of the hill country and contains extensive ruins. The two Ithrite warriors of David's guard, Ira and Gareb, may have been from Jattir.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jattir," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jattir," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Jattir," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Orr (ed.), "Jattir," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Jattir," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).