גִּתִּית
𐤂𐤕𐤉𐤕
Gittîyth
H1665 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A musical term found in Psalm superscriptions, likely indicating a song or melody associated with Gath or using an instrument of Gath. The precise meaning is uncertain, but possibilities include a particular style of music, a type of musical instrument, or a tune associated with Gath. The term always occurs in liturgical headings, not in the main text, and does not designate a person or ethnic identity.
Semantic Range
musical term in Psalm headings, referring to an instrument from Gath, a tune/melody associated with Gath, or a musical style associated with Gath, possibly a lyre from Gath; obscured technical musical instruction
Root / Etymology
From the root גת (gat, 'winepress'), but in this form appears to be a derivative of גִּתִּי (Gittite, 'person from Gath') with a feminine ending. The precise derivation is debated; it may refer to something 'of Gath' (the Philistine city) or to an instrument or melody style named for Gath. Etymology is uncertain beyond its relation to Gath/Gittite.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Found only in the superscriptions of Psalms 8, 81, and 84, גִּתִּית (gittit) appears as part of the phrase 'לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל-הַגִּתִּית' ('for the director; on the Gittith'). Ancient translation traditions (e.g., Septuagint) often transliterate the term, indicating its meaning was already obscure in antiquity. Some modern scholarly proposals include 'lyre from Gath,' 'Gittite [style] lyre,' or 'melody from Gath.' The association with Gath, a Philistine city, may refer to either the origin of a musical instrument or the name of a tune adopted into Israelite temple worship. No evidence directly links the term to the identity of the composer or to any specific ethnic group among the Israelites. Later translations sometimes render it as 'winepresses,' but this is not supported by context. The term does not appear in narrative contexts, remaining limited to musical notations in poetry.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine of גִּתִּי; a Gittite harp; Gittith.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גת (g-t) — winepress, Gath (place name)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1660 | גַּת | in the grape-press |
| H1661 | גַּת | in Gath |
| H1663 | גִּתִּי | the man of Gath |
| H1664 | גִּתַּיִם | toward Two-Winepresses |
| H1897 | הָגָה | the man from Gath |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1665-01 |
הַ/גִּתִּ֗ית | hagitit | HTd/Ncfsa |
the Gittith | the Gath-melody | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1665-01 |
Psalms 8:1 | הַ/גִּתִּ֗ית | hagitit | HTd/Ncfsa |
the Gittith | the Gath-melody |
H1665-01 |
Psalms 81:1 | הַ/גִּתִּ֬ית | hagitit | HTd/Ncfsa |
the Gittith | the Gath-melody |
H1665-01 |
Psalms 84:1 | הַ/גִּתִּ֑ית | hagitit | HTd/Ncfsa |
the Gittith | the Gath-melody |