Ittai

In Bible versions:

Ittai: NET AVS NIV NRSV NASB TEV
Ithai: NET AVS NIV NRSV NASB TEV

son of Ribai of Gibeah of Benjamin; one of David's elite
a Gittite man who joined David just before Absalom's rebellion
son of Ribai of Gibeah in Benjamin; one of David's elite

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strong; my sign; a plowshare

Hebrew

Strongs #0863: yta 'Ittay or ytya 'Iythay

Ittai or Ithai = "with me"

1) a Gittite commander from Gath in David's army
2) one of David's 30 mighty warriors, a Benjamite

863 'Ittay it-tah'ee

or tIythay {ee-thah'ee}; from 854; near; Ittai or Ithai, the
name of a Gittite and of an Israelite:-Ithai, Ittai.
see HEBREW for 0854

Ittai [EBD]

near; timely; or, with the Lord. (1.) A Benjamite, one of David's thirty heroes (2 Sam. 23:29).

(2.) A native of Gath, a Philistine, who had apparently the command of the six hundred heroes who formed David's band during his wanderings (2 Sam. 15:19-22; comp. 1 Sam. 23:13; 27:2; 30:9, 10). He is afterwards with David at Mahanaim, holding in the army equal rank with Joab and Abishai (2 Sam. 18:2, 5, 12). He then passes from view.

Ithai [NAVE]

ITHAI, called also Ittai. One of David's valiant men, 2 Sam. 23:29; 1 Chr. 11:31.

Ittai [NAVE]

ITTAI
A chief of David, 2 Sam. 18:2; 1 Chr. 11:31.
Supports David against Absalom, 2 Sam. 15:19-22; 18:2, 5.

ITHAI [SMITH]

(with the Lord), a Benjamite, son of Ribai of Gibeah, one of the heroes of David?s guard. (1 Chronicles 11:31) (B.C. 1046.)

ITTAI [SMITH]

(with the Lord).

1. "Ittai the Gittite," i.e. the native of Gath, a Philistine in the army of King David. He appears only during the revolution of Absalom. (B.C. 1023.) We first discern him on the morning of David?s flight. The king urges him to return. (2 Samuel 15:18,19) Comp. 1Sam 23:13; 27:2; 30:9,10,19,20 But ittai is firm; he is the king?s slave, and wherever his master goes he will go. Accordingly he is allowed by David to proceed. When the army was numbered and organized by David at Mahanaim, Ittai again appears, now in command of a third part of the force. (2 Samuel 18:2,5,12)
2. Son of Ribai, from Gibeah of Benjamin; one of the thirty heroes of David?s guard. (2 Samuel 23:29)

ITHAI [ISBE]

ITHAI - ith'-a-i.

See ITTAI.

ITTAI [ISBE]

ITTAI - it'-a-i, it'-i ('ittay, 'ithay):

(1) A Gittite or native of Gath, one of David's chief captains and most faithful friends during the rebellion of Absalom (2 Sam 15:11-22; 18:2,4,12). The narrative reveals David's chivalrous and unselfish spirit in time of trouble, as well as the most self-sacrificing loyalty on the part of Ittai. He seems to have but recently left his native city and joined David's army through personal attachment to the king. David rapidly promoted him. Hearing of Absalom's rebellion and approach to Jerusalem, he flees with David. The latter remonstrates, urges him to go back and join Absalom, as he is a foreigner and in exile. His interests are in the capital and with the king; there is no reason why he should be a fugitive and perhaps suffer the loss of everything; it would be better for him, with his band of men, to put himself and them at the service of Absalom, the new king. "Mercy and truth be with thee," says David in his magnanimity. Ittai, with a double oath, absolutely refuses to go back, but will stand by David until the last. Remonstrance being useless, the monarch orders him across the river, doubtless glad that he had such a doughty warrior and faithful friend by his side. On mustering his hosts to meet Absalom, David makes Ittai a chief captain with the intrepid Joab and Abishai. He doubtless did his part in the battle, and as nothing more is said of him it is possible that he fell in the fight.

(2) A Benjamite, one of David's 30 mighty men (2 Sam 23:29; 1 Ch 11:31, "Ithai").

J. J. Reeve