H1665 H1665
the Gittith—a musical term in psalm titles, possibly an instrument or melody
This feminine noun appears only in the superscriptions of Psalms 8, 81, and 84 with the phrase 'upon the Gittith' (al-ha-gittit). Its meaning is disputed. Ancient versions suggest either: (1) a Gittite lyre or musical instrument, (2) a melody associated with Gath, or (3) a tune for the grape harvest ('winepresses,' reading gittot). The Targum favored the instrument interpretation. Modern scholars remain divided. Whatever its precise meaning, it served as a technical musical direction for the Levitical choir performing these psalms.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A technical musical term in three psalm superscriptions (Psalms 8:1, 81:1, 84:1), appearing with the preposition 'upon the Gittith.' Ancient and modern interpretations vary: (1) a musical instrument from Gath (Gittite lyre), (2) a melody or tune type, or (3) possibly 'winepresses' (if reading gittot), suggesting harvest festival music. Cross-linguistic evidence: English 'the Gittith,' Spanish 'la Guitit/guitita' (preserving the name), French 'le Guitith,' German 'der Gittit.' All maintain the transliterated form with definite article. The consistent 'al-ha-gittit' ('upon the Gittith') suggests a musical performance instruction whose exact meaning was lost even in ancient times. 3×
AR["الجِتِّيَّةِ", "الْجَتَّيَّةِ"]·ben["গিত্তীথ", "গিত্তীয়ের-সাথে"]·DE["der-Gittit"]·EN["the-Gittith"]·FR["le-Guitith"]·heb["ה-גיתית", "ה-גתית"]·HI["गित्तीत"]·ID["Gitit", "Gittit"]·IT["Gat"]·jav["Gitit"]·KO["깃딧", "깃리시", "깃만의"]·PT["a-Gitite", "a-gitite"]·RU["гиттит", "гиттите"]·ES["la-Guitit", "la-guitita"]·SW["Gititi", "gitithi"]·TR["Gittit", "Gittit'in"]·urd["-گتیت", "گتّیت"]
Related Senses
H0559 1. say, speak, tell (5297×)G3004 1. say, tell, speak (2226×)H1696 1. speak, say, tell (Piel) (1105×)H7121 1. call, summon, name (575×)H6680 1. command, order, charge (483×)H6030b 1. answer, respond, reply (289×)G2980 1. speak, talk (277×)H5046 1. Hifil: to tell, report (237×)G0611 1. answer or respond verbally (232×)H1288 1. Piel: bless, invoke blessing (227×)H7650 1. swear, take an oath (Niphal) (154×)H3789 1. Qal passive participle: written, recorded (112×)H1984b 1. praise, laud (Piel) (111×)H7592 1. ask, inquire, question (96×)H3034 1. give thanks, praise (Hifil) (94×)G1321 1. teach, instruct actively (92×)H3789 2. Qal active: write, compose (89×)G1125 1. to write, compose (a letter or document) (84×)H5046 2. Hifil: to declare, proclaim (79×)H7892a 1. song, musical composition (78×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† גִּתִּית f. of foregoing (si vera l.) only in phr. עַל־הַגִּתִּית in three ψ-titles: ψ 8:1; 81:1; 84:1; upon the Gittite (lyre) so 𝔗, to the Gittite (melody) Ew Ol De, or either of these Hup Pe; 𝔊 𝔙 הַגִּתֹּת wine-presses, whence Bae al. at the wine-presses, i.e. (Bae) a song for the feast of booths.