The term "Gederathite" refers to an inhabitant of Gederah, a town mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. Gederah is located in the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. The name "Gederathite" is derived from the Hebrew root "gadar," meaning "to wall" or "to enclose," suggesting that Gederah may have been a fortified city or a place with significant walls or enclosures.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Chronicles 12:4 : The Gederathites are mentioned in the context of David's mighty warriors. Specifically, Jozabad the Gederathite is listed among those who joined David at Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from King Saul. The passage highlights the loyalty and valor of these warriors who supported David during his time of need: "Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty warrior among the Thirty and a leader over the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite."

2. Joshua 15:36 : Gederah is listed among the towns in the lowland region of Judah. This passage provides a geographical context for the Gederathites, situating them within the broader landscape of the Promised Land: "Sharaim, Adithaim, and Gederah (or Gederothaim)—fourteen cities, along with their villages."

Historical and Cultural Context:

Gederah, as part of the tribal inheritance of Judah, would have been a community deeply rooted in the traditions and religious practices of the Israelites. The mention of a Gederathite among David's warriors suggests that the inhabitants of Gederah were integrated into the larger narrative of Israel's history, contributing to the military and political developments of the time.

The Gederathites, like other inhabitants of Judah, would have been subject to the laws and religious observances outlined in the Mosaic Covenant. This would include participation in the major feasts, adherence to the sacrificial system, and observance of the Sabbath. The cultural identity of the Gederathites would have been closely tied to their role as members of the covenant community, with a strong emphasis on loyalty to Yahweh and the Davidic monarchy.

Theological Significance:

The inclusion of a Gederathite among David's mighty men underscores the theme of divine providence and the gathering of a diverse group of individuals to fulfill God's purposes. The Gederathites, though not frequently mentioned, are part of the larger tapestry of God's redemptive plan as revealed in the history of Israel. Their mention in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the varied and often unexpected ways in which God accomplishes His will through His people.

In summary, the Gederathites, as inhabitants of Gederah, played a role in the unfolding account of Israel, contributing to the military and spiritual heritage of the nation. Their presence in the biblical text highlights the interconnectedness of the tribes of Israel and the collective effort to establish and maintain the kingdom under God's guidance.An epithet applied to Josabad, one of David's warriors at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:4), a native of Gederah. GEDERAH; GEDERATHITE

ge-de'-ra, ge-de'-ra-thit (ha-gedherah, "the enclosed place"): A town in the Shephelah of Judah, named with Socoh, Azekah, Shaaraim and Adithaim (Joshua 15:36). In 1 Chronicles 4:23 the Revised Version (British and American) reads, "the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah," for the King James Version, "those that dwelt among plants and hedges." It is probably represented by Khirbet Jadireh, about 3 miles Southwest of Gezer. "Gederathite," applied to Jozabad (1 Chronicles 12:4), probably meant an inhabitant of this place.

1452. Gederathi -- inhab. of Gederah
... inhab. of Gederah. Transliteration: Gederathi Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-ay-raw-thee')
Short Definition: Gederathite. ... of Gederah NASB Word Usage Gederathite (1). ...
/hebrew/1452.htm - 6kGederathite (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GEDERAH; GEDERATHITE. ... "Gederathite," applied to
Jozabad (1 Chronicles 12:4), probably meant an inhabitant of this place. ...
/g/gederathite.htm - 7k

Jozabad (10 Occurrences)
... joz'-a-bad (yozabhadh, "Yahweh has bestowed"): (1) A Gederathite, and one of David's
recruits at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:4 (Hebrew 5)). He is named with the ...
/j/jozabad.htm - 11k

Gederah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GEDERAH; GEDERATHITE. ... "Gederathite," applied to
Jozabad (1 Chronicles 12:4), probably meant an inhabitant of this place. ...
/g/gederah.htm - 8k

Jahaziel (6 Occurrences)
... and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty,
and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite, (WEB KJV ...
/j/jahaziel.htm - 10k

Joha'nan (25 Occurrences)
... 12:4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty one among the thirty, and over the thirty,
and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite. ...
/j/joha'nan.htm - 13k

Jishmaiah (2 Occurrences)
... 12:4 and Jishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty;
and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite. ...
/j/jishmaiah.htm - 7k

Josabad (1 Occurrence)
... 4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty;
and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite, (KJV WBS ...
/j/josabad.htm - 6k

Jaha'ziel (6 Occurrences)
... 12:4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty one among the thirty, and over the thirty,
and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite. ...
/j/jaha'ziel.htm - 7k

Jehaziel (4 Occurrences)
... 12:4 And Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a great man among the thirty, and their chief;
and Jeremiah and Jehaziel and Johanan and Jozabad the Gederathite; (BBE). ...
/j/jehaziel.htm - 7k

Joz'abad (2 Occurrences)
... 12:4 And Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a great man among the thirty, and their chief;
and Jeremiah and Jehaziel and Johanan and Jozabad the Gederathite; (See RSV). ...
/j/joz'abad.htm - 7k

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