Bible Dictionaries
Ithra

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ihth' ruh) Personal name meaning, “remnant” or “abundance.” He was the father of Amasa, and the general Absalom appointed to replace David's general Joab when he revolted against his father (2 Samuel 17:25 ). Ithra's wife, Abigail, was Joab's aunt. Ithra is called Jether in some Greek and Old Latin manuscripts as well as in 1Kings 2:5,1 Kings 2:32; 1 Chronicles 2:17 . Some modern translations thus read Jether in 2 Samuel 17:25 (TEV, NIV). One early Greek manuscript and 1 Chronicles 2:17 identify Ithra as an Ishmaelite rather than an Israelite, as the standard Hebrew text of 2 Samuel 17:25 reads. Many Bible students think Ishmaelite was the original reading in 2Samuel, since it would be unusual and unnecessary to identify an Israelite (REB, TEV, NRSV).