Lexical Summary Ramathi: Ramathite Original Word: רָמָתִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ramathite Patronymic of Ramah; a Ramathite or inhabitant of Ramah -- Ramathite. see HEBREW Ramah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Ramah Definition inhab. of Ramah NASB Translation Ramathite (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רָמָתִי adjective, of a people (of what Rama?), with article ׳הָרָ 1 Chronicles 27:27; ὁ ἐ Ραηλ; A ὁ Ῥαμαθαῖος. Topical Lexicon Geographic and Cultural SettingThe designation רָמָתִי identifies a person originating from a town named Ramah (“height”). Several towns bore this name in ancient Israel, most prominently the Ramah in Benjamin (Joshua 18:25), located on the central highlands north of Jerusalem, and the Ramah in Ephraim—later called Ramathaim-zophim (1 Samuel 1:1). Scripture does not specify which Ramah produced Shimei the Ramathite, yet either location would place him within the tribal heartland of Israel’s early monarchy, in close proximity to Saul’s Gibeah and David’s Jerusalem. The title underscores the biblical practice of linking individuals to their ancestral towns, thereby rooting personal identity in covenant land and community. Biblical Occurrence The term appears once: 1 Chronicles 27:27. Chronicling King David’s standing army and civil cabinet, the writer states, “Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards”. His sole appearance is therefore framed by a detailed register of officials responsible for agriculture, military reserves, and royal estates. Role in Davidic Administration 1. Oversight of Vineyards Vineyards were vital to Israel’s economy, diet, and worship. Wine gladdened the heart (Psalm 104:15), accompanied sacrificial offerings (Exodus 29:40), and served at covenant celebrations. By placing a single trusted official over the entire royal viticulture operation, David demonstrated both administrative sophistication and covenant stewardship of God-given produce (Deuteronomy 8:7-10). 2. Symbol of National Blessing The Chronicler, writing after the exile, highlights David’s orderly governance as the ideal to which post-exilic Israel should aspire. The Ramathite’s ministry over vineyards represents peace and prosperity promised in the land: “Every man will sit under his vine and under his fig tree” (Micah 4:4). 3. Integration of Tribal Talent Shimei’s link to Ramah shows that service in the united monarchy was not restricted to Jerusalemites. David harnessed skills from varied towns and tribes, foreshadowing the later gathering of all nations to the Son of David (Isaiah 11:10). Theological Significance • Stewardship: Shimei models faithful management of resources entrusted by the king, mirroring humanity’s mandate to cultivate the earth under God’s sovereignty (Genesis 1:28). Ministry Insights for Today 1. Vocational Calling: Like Shimei, believers may exercise kingdom service through secular vocations, affirming that administrative and agricultural gifts advance God’s purposes. Summary The single mention of רָמָתִי spotlights an otherwise unknown official whose faithfulness in a specialized field contributed to the flourishing of David’s kingdom. His example encourages diligent stewardship, rejoicing in God-given abundance, and the integration of diverse gifts within the covenant community. Forms and Transliterations הָרָֽמָתִ֑י הרמתי hā·rā·mā·ṯî haramaTi hārāmāṯîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 27:27 HEB: הַ֨כְּרָמִ֔ים שִׁמְעִ֖י הָרָֽמָתִ֑י וְעַ֤ל שֶׁבַּכְּרָמִים֙ NAS: Shimei the Ramathite had charge KJV: [was] Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards INT: of the vineyards Shimei the Ramathite had charge of the vineyards 1 Occurrence |
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