Tirathites
Tirathites [1]
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.
