tı̄´rath - ı̄ts ( תּרעתים , tir‛āthı̄m ; Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus, Ἀργαθιείμ , Argathieı́m ; Lucian, Θαραθεί , Tharatheı́ : A family of scribes that dwelt at Jabez ( 1 Chronicles 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 תּרע , tera‛ = Heb שׁער , 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.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
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