The Hebrew word ʻAnthôthîy, represented by H6069, is a patrial term for an inhabitant of Anathoth. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. The term is rendered as Antothite, Anethothite, or Anetothite and specifies a person's origin from the town of Anathoth.
In the biblical narrative, H6069 identifies several notable individuals. The prophet Jeremiah H3414 is called a man "of Anathoth," a title used when his authority to prophesy H5012 was questioned Jeremiah 29:27. The term also designates military figures, such as Abiezer H44 the Anethothite, who is listed among David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:27; 1 Chronicles 11:28) and as a captain over a division 1 Chronicles 27:12. Another warrior, Jehu H3058 the Antothite, is mentioned among those who joined David 1 Chronicles 12:3.
Several related words provide context for the people identified as an ʻAnthôthîy H6069:
- H44 ʼĂbîyʻezer (Abiezer): Defined as "father of help," he is mentioned three times as an Antothite or Anetothite, serving as a captain for the ninth H8671 month H2320 1 Chronicles 27:12.
- H3414 Yirmᵉyâh (Jeremiah): Meaning "Jah will rise," he is the prominent prophet identified as being "of Anathoth" H6069 Jeremiah 29:27.
- H1145 Ben-yᵉmîynîy (Benjamite): This term, meaning "a descendent of Benjamin," establishes the tribal identity of at least one Anetothite, Abiezer 1 Chronicles 27:12.
The designation ʻAnthôthîy H6069 carries significant narrative weight, identifying individuals by their origin to highlight their roles.
- Prophetic Origin: The term is most famously attached to Jeremiah H3414, whose identity as a man "of Anathoth" is part of the challenge against his prophetic ministry Jeremiah 29:27.
- Military Prowess: It serves as a title for valiant warriors in David's service. Abiezer H44 is consistently identified as "the Anethothite" 2 Samuel 23:27 or "Antothite" 1 Chronicles 11:28 in lists of mighty men.
- Tribal Connection: The word links the city of Anathoth to a specific lineage, as Abiezer H44 the Anetothite is explicitly noted as being "of the Benjamites H1145" 1 Chronicles 27:12.
In summary, ʻAnthôthîy H6069 is more than a simple geographical label. It is a specific identifier, a patrial, that connects key biblical figures to their hometown of Anathoth. This designation is used to frame the identity of the prophet Jeremiah H3414 as well as to honor the military service of mighty men like Abiezer H44 and Jehu H3058, firmly rooting them within the narrative and their tribal heritage as Benjamites H1145.
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