Jether יֶ֫תֶר
An Ishmaelite, father of Amasa.
Who is Jether in the Bible?
Jether, also known as Ithra, was an Ishmaelite who served as the father of Amasa (1 Chronicles 2:17). Amasa's mother was Abigail, David's sister, making Amasa David's nephew despite his non-Israelite father. Though born into David's extended family, Amasa sided with Absalom during his rebellion and commanded Absalom's forces, but after the rebellion's collapse, David appointed him commander of his own army (1 Kings 2:5, 2:32). Jether's foreign background highlights the complex family dynamics and divided loyalties that marked this turbulent period of David's reign, ultimately contributing to his son's tragic fate when Joab murdered Amasa out of jealousy for his position.
Biography
Jether, also known as Ithra, was an Ishmaelite and the father of Amasa. Amasa was the son of Jether and Abigail, who was David's sister. Despite being David's nephew, Amasa sided with Absalom during his rebellion against David and was appointed as the commander of Absalom's army. After Absalom's death, David offered Amasa the position of commander over his army, replacing Joab. However, when Amasa failed to mobilize the troops quickly enough, David sent Abishai to pursue the rebel Sheba. Joab, who had been demoted, accompanied Abishai and took the opportunity to kill Amasa, viewing him as a threat to his position. The fact that Jether is described as an Ishmaelite suggests that he was not an Israelite, which may have contributed to Amasa's complex loyalties within David's family and kingdom.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books1 Kings 2 verses
- 1 Kings 2:5
"Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the..."
- 1 Kings 2:32
"The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s..."
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 2:17
"Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite."
2 Samuel 1 verse
- 2 Samuel 17:25
"Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יֶ֫תֶר |
| Named | Hebrew | יִתְרָא |