Ithai is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Ithai was one of King David’s mighty warriors, numbered among the elite group of thirty men who served as David’s special guard and fighting force. He is identified in Scripture as “Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin.” This means he came from Gibeah, a town in the territory of Benjamin, and he was himself a Benjamite. His father was named Ribai, though Scripture tells us nothing further about him.
Ithai appears in the list of David’s mighty men recorded in 1 Chronicles 11. This chapter describes the warriors who supported David during his rise to kingship, particularly during the period when he was establishing his rule over Israel. These men are described as those who “came to David to Ziklag” and helped him against raiding bands, and the chronicler notes they were “mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.” The list includes men from various tribes of Israel, and Ithai is one of several Benjamites named among them.
What Scripture records of Ithai is brief: he was a mighty warrior, a son of Ribai, a Benjamite from Gibeah, and one of the thirty elite men who served David. He is mentioned only once in the King James Bible, in 1 Chronicles 11:31, and no further details about his specific deeds or life are given. His inclusion in this list, however, indicates that he was recognized as a man of exceptional courage, strength, and loyalty to David.
The Name
The name Ithai is a Hebrew name, though its precise meaning is not clearly recoverable from the biblical text or standard Hebrew lexicons. Some scholars have proposed possible connections to Hebrew roots suggesting “timely” or “seasonable,” but these suggestions are speculative rather than firmly established. What is certain is that the name belonged to a Benjamite warrior, and like many names in the genealogical and military lists of Chronicles, it served to identify a specific individual within Israel’s history. Since the meaning is not clearly established, it is best to acknowledge that we cannot say with confidence what the name originally signified.
A Closing Thought
Ithai’s life reminds us that faithfulness does not require fame. He is named only once in all of Scripture, yet he stood among David’s mighty men—men who risked their lives to establish a kingdom. Most of us will never be widely known, but God sees every act of courage and loyalty offered in service to Him and to His purposes. Ithai’s brief mention is enough: he was counted among the faithful. May we likewise serve quietly and faithfully, trusting that our names are known to the One who matters most.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 1 Chronicles 11:31 — Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,