Lexical Summary
Arbathi: Arbathite
Original Word: עַרְבָתִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: `Arbathiy
Pronunciation: ar-bah-thee
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-baw-thee')
KJV: Arbahite
NASB: Arbathite
Word Origin: [patrial from H1026 (בֵּיתּ הָעֲרָבָה - Beth-arabah)]
1. an Arbathite or inhabitant of (Beth-)Arabah
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Arbahite
Patrial from Beyth ha-'Arabah; an Arbathite or inhabitant of (Beth-)Arabah -- Arbahite.
see HEBREW Beyth ha-'Arabah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
BethDefinitioninhab. of Arabah
NASB TranslationArbathite (2).
Topical Lexicon
Geographical Setting “Arbathite” designates someone from the Arabah, the long rift-valley running from the Sea of Galilee to the Gulf of Aqaba. Within that corridor lay Beth Arabah, a village allocated to both Judah and Benjamin (Joshua 15:6; Joshua 15:61; Joshua 18:18). The landscape is marked by extreme heat, sparse rainfall, and rugged terrain. Life in such an environment bred hardy inhabitants who were accustomed to hardship, vigilance, and self-discipline—all qualities prized in ancient warfare.
Biblical References
The term occurs twice, and only in the rosters of David’s warriors:
• 2 Samuel 23:31: “Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,”.
• 1 Chronicles 11:32: “Hurai from the ravines of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,”.
Arbathite Individuals in David’s Roster
1. Abialbon (spelled Abiel in 1 Chronicles)
• A member of “the Thirty,” the élite corps that stood just below “the Three” in honor.
• His inclusion shows that David’s forces drew not only from Judah’s hill-country but also from the remote desert fringe.
2. Possible Relationship to Hurai of Gaash
• In the parallel Chronicles list, Hurai precedes Abiel. Some scholars suggest regional camaraderie among these men, underscoring a network of warriors hailing from lesser-known locales who nevertheless bound themselves to David.
Historical Significance
1. National Unity Under David
• The presence of an Arbathite among David’s champions illustrates the king’s ability to weld disparate regions—fertile hill country, coastal plains, and arid wilderness—into a single, cohesive kingdom.
• It highlights the Arabah’s strategic importance as a transit route for trade and military movement between north and south.
2. Social Mobility in the Monarchy
• The lists show that valor, not pedigree alone, secured honor. An otherwise obscure desert dweller could attain renown at court by faithful service.
3. Preparation Through Environment
• The harsh climate of the Arabah forged men skilled in survival, archery, and rapid desert marches—assets David’s mobile guerrilla bands urgently needed during his years of flight from Saul and later in territorial consolidation.
Theological and Ministry Reflections
1. God’s Calling of the Obscure
• Scripture repeatedly elevates individuals from the margins (e.g., Gideon of Ophrah, Amos the shepherd of Tekoa). The Arbathite reminds believers that divine purpose is not confined to prominent centers; the Lord equips and employs servants from every terrain.
2. Loyalty in Adversity
• The Thirty rallied to David long before his enthronement, standing with him in caves and deserts (1 Samuel 22:1–2; 2 Samuel 5:1–3). Their fidelity prefigures the steadfast commitment Christ seeks in His disciples (Luke 22:28).
3. Strength Formed in the Wilderness
• Physical wilderness often parallels spiritual testing. The Arabah’s barrenness, transformed into a training ground for David’s men, encourages modern believers to view seasons of dryness as preparation for future service (James 1:2–4).
Related Places and Themes
• Beth Arabah—border town of Judah and Benjamin, likely birthplace of Abialbon/Abiel.
• The Thirty—see 2 Samuel 23:8–39 and 1 Chronicles 11:10–47 for the full roster.
• Desert Spirituality—Moses in Midian, Elijah at Horeb, John the Baptist in the Judean wilderness; all exemplify God’s work in barren places, a theme echoed by the Arbathite’s origins.
Forms and Transliterations
הָֽעַרְבָתִ֔י הָעַרְבָתִֽי׃ הערבתי הערבתי׃ hā‘arḇāṯî hā·‘ar·ḇā·ṯî haarvaTi
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