Lexical Summary Yeatheray: Jetherites Original Word: יְאֱתְרַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jeaterai From the same as 'Athariym; stepping; Jeatherai, an Israelite -- Jeaterai. see HEBREW 'Athariym NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an ancestor of Asaph NASB Translation Jeatherai (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְאָֽתְרַי proper name, masculine an ancestor of Asaph 1 Chronicles 6:6 apparently = אֶתְנִי v.1 Chronicles 6:26. Topical Lexicon Genealogical Context Jeatherai appears once in Scripture, in the Levitical register of 1 Chronicles 6:21. The record traces eight successive descendants of Gershon—“Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son” (Berean Standard Bible). By placing him at the close of this particular branch, the Chronicler establishes an unbroken line from Levi through Gershon down to the generation immediately preceding the United Monarchy. Position in the Gershonite Line Gershonites formed one of the three great Levitical divisions (Numbers 3:17). Their charge during Israel’s wilderness years was the transport and maintenance of the tabernacle’s curtains, coverings, and hangings (Numbers 3:25–26; 4:24–28). Later, under David, Gershon’s descendants were further organized for temple duty, music, and administrative oversight (1 Chronicles 23:6–11; 1 Chronicles 25:1–6). The placement of Jeatherai at the close of the Libnite–Jahathite sub-clan signals continuity of that stewardship on the eve of the monarchy and, by implication, the transition of Gershonite service from a mobile tabernacle to the centralized worship of Jerusalem. Ministerial Responsibilities Associated with His House 1. Sanctuary Service: While Jeatherai’s specific task is unstated, his clan’s historical responsibilities included caretaking the cloth elements of the sanctuary. This served as a visible reminder that every component of worship—even the “curtains of the tabernacle” (Numbers 3:25)—required consecrated hands. Historical Significance The Chronicles were compiled after the Babylonian exile, when returning Levites had to demonstrate legitimate descent before resuming ministry (Ezra 2:61–63). Jeatherai’s listing strengthened the post-exilic community’s confidence that their worship order rested on God-ordained lineage rather than political expediency. It also affirmed YHWH’s covenant faithfulness: despite captivity and dispersion, He preserved priestly lines so His people could once again “sing praises with gladness” (2 Chronicles 29:30). Theological Reflections 1. Covenant Continuity: Jeatherai’s solitary mention embodies a thread in the tapestry of redemption history. The Lord who tracks unnamed sparrows likewise records an otherwise obscure Levite in Scripture, illustrating that every servant—however hidden—contributes to covenant purposes. Lessons for Believers • Faithfulness in obscurity matters. Jeatherai never performs a recorded feat, yet his fidelity across decades guaranteed that later luminaries such as Asaph could rise. Though brief, Jeatherai’s cameo in Scripture reminds the Church that God weaves even the quiet lives of His servants into the enduring fabric of redemptive history. Forms and Transliterations יְאָתְרַ֥י יאתרי yə’āṯəray yə·’ā·ṯə·ray yeateRaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 6:21 HEB: זֶ֥רַח בְּנ֖וֹ יְאָתְרַ֥י בְּנֽוֹ׃ NAS: Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son. KJV: Zerah his son, Jeaterai his son. INT: Zerah his son Jeatherai his son 1 Occurrence |
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