Bible Dictionary
TIRATHITES
The Tirathites were a family or group of scribes dwelling at Jabez. Their precise function is uncertain; they may have been associated with religious service, singing, gatekeeping, or other duties mentioned in ancient interpretations.
Definition
The Tirathites were a family of scribes dwelling at Jabez. Their precise function is uncertain because the passage in which they are named is obscure.
Biblical Usage
The Tirathites are mentioned with the Shimathites and Sucathites among the families associated with Jabez.
Historical Background
Jerome interpreted the three families as different religious functionaries, including singers, scribes, and recorders. The Targum gave a related interpretation, while others proposed that the Tirathites were gatekeepers or descendants of an otherwise unknown ancestor. The source concludes that the passage does not admit a secure interpretation.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ti'-rath-its (tir`athim; Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus, Argathieim; Lucian, Tharathei: A family of scribes that dwelt at Jabez (1Ch 2:55). The three families mentioned in this verse (Tirathites, Shimathites and Sucathites) are taken by Jerome to be three different classes of religious functionaries--singers, scribes, recorders ("canentes atque resonances et in tabernaculis commorantes"). The Targum takes the same view, save that the "Sucathites" are those "covered" with a spirit of prophecy. Bertheau sees the Tirathites as "gate-keepers" (Aramaic tera` = Heb] sha`ar). Keil holds the three names to be those of the descendants of unknown men named Tira, Shemei and Sucah. The passage seems too obscure to admit of interpretation.</p><p>Horace J. Wolf</p>