Amittai

Amittai (Hebrew: אֲמִתַּי, meaning 'my truth') is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, derived from the word ʾemeṯ ('truth') combined with a possessive suffix. In the Old Testament, Amittai is mentioned only twice, in 2 Kings 14:25 and Jonah 1:1, as the father of the prophet Jonah. Nothing else is known about his life or character; he is identified simply as a native of Gath-hepher.

Etymology and Meaning

The name Amittai is a possessive form of the Hebrew root ʾemeṯ, meaning 'truth,' so the full sense is 'my truth' or 'truthful.' This root is related to the more common Hebrew name Amitai (which has the same consonants but a different vowel pattern) and shares its core idea of faithfulness or veracity. The possessive form emphasizes personal relationship, much like other biblical theophoric names that append a pronoun to a divine or abstract noun.

Biblical and Islamic Significance

Amittai's sole claim to fame is being the father of Jonah, the prophet who was swallowed by a great fish (or whale) for trying to flee God's command. Beyond the Old Testament, Amittai appears in Islamic tradition as Mattā (Arabic: مَتّىٰ). According to a hadith, when the Prophet Muhammad met the servant Addas from Nineveh, he inquired about his origins and upon learning he was from the town of Jonah, son of Amittai, Muhammad joyfully declared brotherhood with Jonah. This account highlights the connection between biblical and Islamic prophetic figures.

Usage and Distributions

Amittai is primarily used in English Bible translations and among Hebrew Bible scholars. It is not common as a given name today, but the related form Amitai is used in modern Hebrew. The name appears in Latin as Amati or Amathi. Its usage is confined almost entirely to religious contexts, particularly in Jewish and Christian references to the prophet Jonah's lineage.

• Meaning: 'My truth' (Hebrew)
• Origin: Hebrew, from ʾemeṯ ('truth')
• Type: Biblical first name
• Usage regions: English Bible, Hebrew Bible
• Related form: Amitai (modern Hebrew)