The term "Ramathite" refers to an inhabitant of Ramah, a city mentioned several times in the Old Testament. The name "Ramah" means "height" or "high place" in Hebrew, and it is associated with several locations in ancient Israel. The most notable Ramah is in the territory of Benjamin, which holds significant historical and theological importance.

Biblical References:

1. Ramah in Benjamin: This Ramah is frequently mentioned in the context of the tribal allotments of Israel. It is located near Gibeah and Mizpah, as described in Joshua 18:25: "Gibeon, Ramah, and Beeroth." This city played a role in the narratives of the Judges and the early monarchy of Israel.

2. Prophet Samuel: Ramah is perhaps best known as the home of the prophet Samuel. In 1 Samuel 7:17, it is noted, "But he always returned to Ramah, because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD." Samuel's connection to Ramah underscores its spiritual significance as a center of prophetic activity and worship.

3. Ramah in the Prophets: The city is also mentioned in the prophetic literature. In Jeremiah 31:15, a voice is heard in Ramah, "Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." This passage is later cited in the New Testament in Matthew 2:18, in the context of Herod's massacre of the innocents, highlighting Ramah's symbolic role in the narrative of Israel's suffering and hope.

4. Ramah in the Kingdom Period: During the divided monarchy, Ramah was a strategic location. In 1 Kings 15:17, King Baasha of Israel fortified Ramah to prevent people from going to Judah: "Then Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah." This act of fortification indicates Ramah's importance as a military and political site.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

The Ramathites, as inhabitants of Ramah, would have been part of a community deeply embedded in the religious and political life of ancient Israel. The city's association with Samuel, one of the most significant prophets and judges, highlights its role as a place of divine encounter and leadership. Ramah's mention in prophetic literature also ties it to themes of lamentation and hope, reflecting the broader narrative of Israel's history.

In the context of the divided kingdom, Ramah's strategic importance underscores the tensions between the northern and southern kingdoms, illustrating the complex political landscape of the time. The actions of kings like Baasha and Asa in relation to Ramah reveal the city's role in the power struggles that characterized this period.

Overall, the Ramathites, as residents of this historically and theologically significant city, would have been participants in the unfolding account of God's covenant people, witnessing both the challenges and the divine interventions that shaped their nation's destiny.The designation given to Shimei, the manager of David's vineyard (1 Chronicles 27:27). RAMATHITE

ra'-math-it (ha-ramathi; Codex Vaticanus ho ek Rhael; Codex Alexandrinus ho Rhamathaios): So Shimei is called who was set by David over the vineyards (1 Chronicles 27:27). There is nothing to show to which Ramah he belonged.

7435. Ramathi -- inhab. of Ramah
... inhab. of Ramah. Transliteration: Ramathi Phonetic Spelling: (raw-maw-thee') Short
Definition: Ramathite. ... of Ramah NASB Word Usage Ramathite (1). Ramathite. ...
/hebrew/7435.htm - 6kRamathite (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAMATHITE. ... There is nothing to show to which Ramah
he belonged. Multi-Version Concordance Ramathite (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/ramathite.htm - 7k

Ra'mathite (1 Occurrence)
Ra'mathite. Ramathite, Ra'mathite. Ramathlehi . Multi-Version Concordance
Ra'mathite (1 Occurrence). ... Ramathite, Ra'mathite. Ramathlehi . Reference Bible
/r/ra'mathite.htm - 6k

Shimei (43 Occurrences)
... (7.) A Levite of the family of Gershon (1 Chronicles 6:42). (8.) A Ramathite
who was "over the vineyards" of David (1 Chronicles 27:27). ...
/s/shimei.htm - 30k

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 Shimei the Ramathite was responsible for the vine-gardens; Zabdi
the Shiphmite was responsible for the produce of the vine-gardens and for ...
/v/vine-gardens.htm - 19k

Vats (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the
increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (See NIV ...
/v/vats.htm - 7k

Winecellars (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the
increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (WEB). ...
/w/winecellars.htm - 6k

Wine-cellars (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the
increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (See ...
/w/wine-cellars.htm - 6k

Ramath-gilead (1 Occurrence)
Ramath-gilead. Ramathem, Ramath-gilead. Ramathite . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Ramathem, Ramath-gilead. Ramathite . Reference Bible.
/r/ramath-gilead.htm - 6k

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the
increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (WEB ...
/z/zabdi.htm - 13k

Cellars (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the
increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (Root ...
/c/cellars.htm - 7k

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