Lexical Summary Gittayim: Gittaim Original Word: גִּתַּיִם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gittaim Dual of gath; double wine-press; Gittajim, a place in Palestine -- Gittaim. see HEBREW gath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as gath Definition a city in Benjamin NASB Translation Gittaim (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs גִּתַּיִם proper name, of a location גִּתִּית adjective see below יגן. p. 387 f גִּתָּ֑יִם proper name, of a location in Judah; — ׳ג Nehemiah 11:33; גִּתָּ֑יְמָה 2 Samuel 4:3; site unknown. Topical Lexicon Location and Identification Gittaim is named only twice in the Old Testament. Both occurrences place it within the tribal territory of Benjamin, somewhere between the hill-country settlements north of Jerusalem and the Philistine borderlands. Its exact site is unconfirmed, though proposals range from a northern satellite of Gath to a location near modern Ramla. The dual ending hints at a twin-settlement or a place comprised of two closely linked quarters, but Scripture itself does not elaborate. Historical Context in 2 Samuel “Because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day” (2 Samuel 4:3). During the turbulent transfer of power from the house of Saul to David, the Beerothites—whose town Beeroth lay within Benjamin—abandoned their ancestral home and sought refuge in Gittaim. The verse records them living there “as foreigners,” underscoring several themes: The verse also sheds light on the background of Baanah and Rechab, assassins of Saul’s son Ish-bosheth. Their family’s relocation to Gittaim likely shaped their outsider status, contributing to their reckless act and to David’s subsequent judgment (2 Samuel 4:9-12). Thus Gittaim stands at a critical narrative pivot marking the end of Saul’s dynasty and the consolidation of Davidic rule. Restoration Era Context in Nehemiah “Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim” (Nehemiah 11:33). After the Babylonian exile, Benjaminite families resettled their inheritance. Gittaim’s inclusion in the roster of reoccupied towns attests to: Tribal and Covenant Implications 1. Benjamin’s Role: Both passages keep Benjamin in focus—first in the divided kingdom era, then in the restoration. Though the smallest tribe, Benjamin shoulders strategic responsibilities, bordering Judah and guarding approaches to Jerusalem. Theological and Spiritual Reflections • God provides places of refuge within His covenant community. Even amid political chaos, He preserves a remnant and grants them space to dwell (Psalm 46:1). Ministerial Application Pastors and teachers may draw on Gittaim to encourage congregations in: Key References Forms and Transliterations גִּתָּ֑יְמָה גִּתָּֽיִם׃ גתים׃ גתימה git·tā·yə·māh git·tā·yim gitTayemah gittāyəmāh gitTayim gittāyimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 4:3 HEB: וַיִּבְרְח֥וּ הַבְּאֵרֹתִ֖ים גִּתָּ֑יְמָה וַֽיִּהְיוּ־ שָׁ֣ם NAS: fled to Gittaim and have been KJV: fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners INT: fled and the Beerothites to Gittaim been there Nehemiah 11:33 2 Occurrences |
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