Biblical References:
Jattir is mentioned in the Old Testament as a town located in the hill country of Judah. It is primarily noted in the context of the tribal allotments and Levitical cities. The key references to Jattir can be found in Joshua 15:48 and Joshua 21:14.

Geographical and Historical Context:
Jattir is situated in the southern part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Judah. The town is part of the hill country, which is characterized by its rugged terrain and elevation. This region was significant for its strategic location and fertile land, making it suitable for agriculture and settlement.

Tribal Allotment:
In the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel, Jattir is listed among the cities given to the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:48 states, "In the hill country: Shamir, Jattir, Socoh." This allocation underscores the importance of Jattir as part of the inheritance of Judah, a tribe known for its leadership and prominence among the Israelites.

Levitical City:
Jattir holds additional significance as one of the cities designated for the Levites, the priestly tribe of Israel. According to Joshua 21:14, "And Jattir, with its pasturelands, and Eshtemoa, with its pasturelands." This designation as a Levitical city indicates that Jattir was a center for religious and priestly activities, providing a place for the Levites to reside and perform their duties.

David's Connection to Jattir:
Jattir is also mentioned in the context of King David's life. In 1 Samuel 30:27, after David's victory over the Amalekites, he sent some of the spoils to the elders of Judah, including those in Jattir: "to those in Bethel, Ramoth Negev, and Jattir." This gesture reflects David's relationship with the people of Judah and his efforts to maintain alliances and support within the tribe.

Archaeological Insights:
While specific archaeological evidence directly identifying Jattir is limited, the general region of the Judean hill country has been the subject of numerous excavations. These have provided insights into the lifestyle, architecture, and agricultural practices of the ancient inhabitants, offering a glimpse into the environment in which Jattir would have existed.

Theological Significance:
Jattir's inclusion as a Levitical city highlights the importance of religious life and the distribution of priestly responsibilities among the tribes of Israel. The Levites played a crucial role in maintaining the spiritual and religious practices of the nation, and cities like Jattir were integral to this mission. Additionally, Jattir's connection to David emphasizes the town's role in the broader narrative of Israel's history and the establishment of the Davidic kingdom.

Modern Identification:
The exact location of ancient Jattir is not definitively known, but it is generally associated with the modern site of Khirbet Attir, located southwest of Hebron. This identification is based on historical geography and the correlation of biblical descriptions with the topography of the region.Jattir

a remnant; excellent

Jattir

(pre-eminent), a town of Judah in the mountain districts, (Joshua 15:48) one of the group containing Socho, Eshtemoa, etc. See also (Joshua 21:14; 1 Samuel 30:27; 1 Chronicles 6:57) By Robinson it is identified with Attir , six miles north of Molada and ten miles south of Hebron.

Pre-eminent, a city in the mountains of Judah (Joshua 15:48; 21:14). JATTIR

jat'-er (yattir, and yattir): A town in the hill country of Judah, mentioned in conjunction with Shamir and Socoh (Joshua 15:48); one of the cities given to the "children of Aaron the priest" (Joshua 21:14 1 Chronicles 6:57). David after his victory over the Amalekites sent a present of the spoil from Ziklag "to them that were in Jattir" (1 Samuel 30:27).

It is now Khirbet `Attir, an important ruin, in the extreme South of the hill country, 5 miles Southeast of edh Dhariyeh and 20 miles Southeast of Belt Jibrin. This must Correspond to the "very large village Jethira" which is mentioned in Eusebius, Onomasticon (119 27; 133 3; 134 24, etc.) as 20 miles Southeast of Eleutheropolis (i.e. Beit Jibrin). The site is full of caves. See PEF, III, 408, Sh XXV.

E. W. G. Masterman

3492. Yattir -- a city in Judah
... 3491, 3492. Yattir. 3493 . a city in Judah. Transliteration: Yattir Phonetic
Spelling: (yat-teer') Short Definition: Jattir. ... Jattir. ...

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...

Jattir (4 Occurrences)
...JATTIR. ... David after his victory over the Amalekites sent a present of the spoil
from Ziklag "to them that were in Jattir" (1 Samuel 30:27). ...

Jairite (1 Occurrence)
... Septuagint, Lucian, and Syriac suggest yattiri, "Jattirite," ie a native of Jattir
mentioned in 1 Samuel 30:27 as one of the towns friendly to David when he ...

Eshtemo'a (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eshtemo'a (5 Occurrences). Joshua 21:14 and Jattir with
the open land about it, and Eshtemoa with the open land about it; (See RSV). ...

Eshtemoa (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eshtemoa (5 Occurrences). Joshua 21:14 Jattir with its
suburbs, Eshtemoa with its suburbs, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...

Shamir (4 Occurrences)
... SHAMIR (1). sha'-mer (shamir; Sameir): (1) Mentioned along with Jattir and Socoh
(Joshua 15:48) as one of the cities of Judah in the hill country. ...

Socoh (4 Occurrences)
... The Sucathites (1 Chronicles 2:55) were probably inhabitants of Soco. (2) A city
of Judah in the South, associated (Joshua 15:48) with Shamir and Jattir. ...

Suburbs (75 Occurrences)
... ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21:14 Jattir with its suburbs, Eshtemoa with its
suburbs, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Joshua 21:15 Holon with ...

Javan (12 Occurrences)

Pasture (120 Occurrences)
... Joshua 21:14 Jattir with its suburbs, Eshtemoa with its suburbs, (See NAS RSV).
Joshua 21:15 Holon with its suburbs, Debir with its suburbs, (See NAS RSV). ...

Lands (226 Occurrences)
... lands; (BBE NAS RSV). Joshua 21:14 And Jattir with its grass-lands, and Eshtemoa
with its grass-lands; (BBE NAS RSV). Joshua 21:15 And ...

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