from סֵתֶר; protective; Sithri, an Israelite,; Zithri. [
Transliteration:Çithrîy
Pronunciation:sith-ree'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H5644}}`, *Çithrîy* (סִתְרִי), is derived directly from the noun `{{H5643}}` (or `{{H5642}}`), *sether* (סֵתֶר), which signifies "hiding place," "secret," "covering," or "protection." The adjectival or proper noun form, *Çithrîy*, thus conveys the sense of "protective" or "my protection." As a proper name, it imbues the bearer with this quality or reflects a parental declaration of divine safeguarding. The core semantic range is therefore deeply rooted in the concept of security, refuge, and divine oversight, stemming from the fundamental idea of being hidden or covered, typically by a benevolent power.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name *Çithrîy* (transliterated as "Zithri" in some versions, e.g., KJV) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within a genealogical listing in the book of Exodus:
* [[Exodus 6:22]]: "And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri."
This verse places Sithri as one of the sons of Uzziel, who was a son of Kohath, who in turn was a son of Levi. This lineage identifies Sithri as a member of the Kohathite clan, a significant branch of the Levites responsible for carrying the most sacred articles of the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary (cf. Numbers 3:31). The appearance of the name within this crucial genealogical record underscores the importance of the Levitical lineage for the establishment of Israel's worship and priestly service. While no actions or specific narratives are attributed to Sithri himself, his inclusion in this foundational list highlights his place within the divinely appointed structure of Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct and foundational related word is the root noun `{{H5643}}` (or `{{H5642}}`), *sether* (סֵתֶר), meaning "hiding place, secret, covering, protection." This noun is derived from the verbal root `{{H5641}}`, *sathar* (סָתַר), "to hide, conceal, be hidden."
The concepts intrinsically linked to *Çithrîy* therefore include:
* **Protection/Refuge:** The primary meaning, evoking images of shelter from danger or harm.
* **Concealment/Secrecy:** The idea of being hidden, often implying safety or intimacy (e.g., "secret place of the Most High").
* **Security/Safety:** The state of being free from threat or danger.
* **Divine Safeguarding:** The theological implication that this protection often comes from God.
These concepts resonate throughout the Psalms, where God is frequently depicted as a "refuge" (e.g., [[Psalm 9:9]], [[Psalm 46:1]]), a "stronghold" (e.g., [[Psalm 18:2]]), or a "hiding place" (e.g., [[Psalm 32:7]], [[Psalm 91:1]]).
### Theological Significance
Though Sithri is only a name in a genealogy, the meaning of the name itself carries profound theological resonance. "Sithri" (My Protection) points directly to the attribute of God as the ultimate Protector and Defender of His people. In a lineage dedicated to the sacred service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, a name signifying divine protection would have been particularly apt.
1. **Divine Providence and Care:** The name could reflect a parental hope or prayer, acknowledging that the child's life and destiny, especially within the demanding and sometimes dangerous context of Levitical service, were under God's sovereign care. It testifies to the belief that God provides refuge and security for those who serve Him.
2. **God as Refuge:** The name aligns with the broader biblical theme of Yahweh as Israel's "hiding place" and "refuge." This concept is central to the covenant relationship, where God promises to guard and keep His people. For a Levite, whose life was consecrated to the Lord, the name *Çithrîy* would serve as a constant reminder of their dependence on God's shielding presence.
3. **Theological Statement:** Even in seemingly dry genealogical lists, names often functioned as theological statements or confessions of faith. The name *Çithrîy* implicitly declares, "Yahweh is my protection," or "I am protected by God." This subtle theological declaration embedded within the Levitical lineage reinforces the pervasive understanding of God's active involvement in the lives of His chosen people and His appointed servants.
### Summary
*Çithrîy* (סִתְרִי, `{{H5644}}`), transliterated as Sithri or Zithri, is a Hebrew proper name derived from the word *sether* (סֵתֶר, `{{H5643}}`), meaning "hiding place" or "protection." The name itself conveys the sense of "protective" or "my protection." It appears only once in the biblical text, in [[Exodus 6:22]], identifying one of the sons of Uzziel, a descendant of Levi through Kohath. Though no specific actions are attributed to him, his inclusion in the Levitical genealogy underscores his place within the divinely ordered structure of Israel's worship. The theological significance of the name lies in its implicit declaration of God as the ultimate Protector and Refuge, a profound truth deeply woven into the fabric of biblical theology and particularly relevant for those consecrated to His service.
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