Lexical Summary Yetur: Jetur Original Word: יְטוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jetur Probably from the same as tuwr; encircled (i.e. Inclosed); Jetur, a son of Ishmael -- Jetur. see HEBREW tuwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as tur Definition a son of Ishmael, also his desc. and the region where they lived NASB Translation Jetur (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs יְטוּר proper name, masculine and of a people (perhaps connected etymologically with טִירָה see Genesis 25:16) — a 'son' of Ishmael Genesis 25:15 = 1 Chronicles 1:31 #NAME? 1 Chronicles 5:19; Ἰτουραῖοί τε καὶ Ἄραβες Straboxvi, 2, 18, Ἰτουραίους JosephAnt. xiii. 11, 3 ed. Niese; they gave name to their region, which was, substantially, Anti-Lebanon, compare τῆς Ἰτουραίας καὶ Τραχωνίτιδος χώρας Luke 3:1; on יְטוּר and (later) proper name, of a territory Ituraea, see especially GASmGeogr. 544 ff. and reff. מוֺתָר noun masculineProverbs 14:23 abundance, pre-eminence; — 1 abundance, plenty מוֺתָ֑ר Proverbs 14:23; Proverbs 21:5 (in both opposed to מַחְסוֺר). 2 pre-eminence, superiority, מוֺתַר הָאָדָם מִןהַֿבְּהֵמָה אָ֔יִן Ecclesiastes 3:19 the superiority of man over beast is nothing. Topical Lexicon Genealogical SettingYetur is named among the twelve sons of Ishmael in Genesis 25:13-15 and repeated in 1 Chronicles 1:29-31. In the formation of the Israelite nation, these Ishmaelite lines provided the first fulfillment of the promise that Abraham would be “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:4-6). As a tenth-listed son, Yetur contributes to the complete tally of twelve, paralleling the twelve tribes descended from Jacob and highlighting God’s orderly providence in both chosen and collateral lines. Territorial Identity and the Link to Iturea Ancient Near-Eastern records and later Greco-Roman sources locate a people called the Itureans east and north of Galilee, between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges and as far as Trachonitis. The phonetic correspondence between “Yetur” (Jetur) and “Iturea” suggests that Ishmael’s descendant became an eponym for this semi-nomadic confederation. By New Testament times the region is explicitly named: “in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar… Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis” (Luke 3:1). Thus the tribal name endured for more than a millennium, demonstrating the long-term accuracy of Genesis’ ethnographic notices. Interactions with Israel The only narrative appearance of Yetur’s descendants occurs during the United Monarchy era. Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh “waged war against the Hagrites—Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab” (1 Chronicles 5:19). Scripture explains the victory spiritually, not militarily: “They cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their pleas because they trusted in Him” (1 Chronicles 5:20). The defeat of Jetur and allies secured Israel’s northeastern frontier and supplied great spoil—50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys—reflecting the pastoral wealth of the desert tribes and fulfilling the promise that Ishmael’s seed would be “multiplied exceedingly” (Genesis 16:10). Prophetic and Theological Themes 1. Providence over Nations: The parallel genealogies of Israel (Jacob) and the sons of Ishmael, including Yetur, show the Lord guiding all peoples toward His redemptive plan, even when they stand outside the covenant line. Historical Influence The Itureans appear in classical literature as skilled archers and mercenaries, characteristics consistent with Ishmael’s prophetic designation: “He shall be a wild donkey of a man” (Genesis 16:12). Josephus notes Iturean contingents serving in various Near-Eastern armies, and Roman military policy eventually incorporated their territory into Herod Philip’s tetrarchy. This background illuminates New Testament geography and the ministry context of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus, whose activity bordered Iturean lands. Lessons for Ministry Today • Biblical genealogies, often skimmed, ground modern readers in God’s faithfulness over generations; Yetur’s persistent line encourages confidence that none of God’s words fail. • Cross-cultural engagement: Israel’s clashes and coexistence with Ishmael’s tribes remind the church to recognize God’s purposes among all ethnicities and to pursue gospel witness across perceived boundaries. • Spiritual warfare: The triumph over Yetur in 1 Chronicles 5 underscores that effective ministry relies on prayerful trust, echoing Paul’s exhortation, “the weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world” (2 Corinthians 10:4). Forms and Transliterations וִיט֥וּר ויטור יְט֥וּר יטור viTur wî·ṭūr wîṭūr yə·ṭūr yeTur yəṭūrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:15 HEB: חֲדַ֣ד וְתֵימָ֔א יְט֥וּר נָפִ֖ישׁ וָקֵֽדְמָה׃ NAS: and Tema, Jetur, Naphish KJV: and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, INT: Hadad and Tema Jetur Naphish and Kedemah 1 Chronicles 1:31 1 Chronicles 5:19 3 Occurrences |
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