Who was Zithri in the bible?

Zithri (also given in the identity gloss as Sithri) is named as an Israelite in the genealogical record of Exodus 6. The name is glossed in the lexicon as meaning “protective.”

Zithri in Scripture

Zithri appears once, within a genealogical listing that situates him among the families of the Levites. The chapter presents a sequence of family lines and household heads, moving through Levite clans and then focusing on the line connected with Moses and Aaron.

The immediate setting introduces the Levite framework:

“The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations.” (Exodus 6:19)

The genealogy then proceeds to a key household in the same passage, naming marriage and children:

“Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister to himself as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses. The years of the life of Amram were one hundred thirty-seven years.” (Exodus 6:20)

After listing the sons of Izhar—“Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri” (Exodus 6:21)—the text names Uzziel’s sons, where Zithri is placed as one of three brothers:

“The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Sithri.” (Exodus 6:22)

The genealogy continues beyond Zithri to record marriages and descendants within the same wider family structure. Aaron’s household is presented with its next generation:

“Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon, as his wife; and she bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” (Exodus 6:23)

Then Korah’s sons are named, and the passage identifies their families:

“The sons of Korah: Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the families of the Korahites.” (Exodus 6:24)

The genealogical section culminates in a summary statement that ties these family listings to recognized household leadership:

“Eleazar Aaron’s son took one of the daughters of Putiel as his wife; and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites according to their families.” (Exodus 6:25)

Within this flow, Zithri is not described by deeds or speech; his presence is as a named son of Uzziel in the Levite genealogical record. The surrounding verses show that this record is closely connected to the commissioning and public role of Moses and Aaron. The text explicitly identifies which Moses and Aaron are meant by tying them to Yahweh’s command:

“These are that Aaron and Moses to whom Yahweh said, ‘Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.’” (Exodus 6:26)

It reiterates their identity in relation to Pharaoh:

“These are those who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are that Moses and Aaron.” (Exodus 6:27)

The passage then shifts from genealogy to a narrated scene of divine speech and Moses’ response. It marks the moment and location of Yahweh’s speaking:

“On the day when Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt,” (Exodus 6:28)

Yahweh’s self-identification and instruction follow:

“Yahweh said to Moses, ‘I am Yahweh. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I tell you.’” (Exodus 6:29)

Moses answers with an objection framed in his own perceived inability:

“Moses said before Yahweh, ‘Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh listen to me?’” (Exodus 6:30)

Within this chapter’s movement, Zithri’s name occurs in a genealogical segment that helps locate the main figures—Moses and Aaron—within specific Levite families, before the narrative resumes with Yahweh’s command and Moses’ reply.

Name and Meaning

The Hebrew form given is סִתְרִי, transliterated Cithriy and pronounced “sith-ree’.” According to the lexicon’s derivation, the name is connected to H5643 and glossed as meaning “protective,” with an associated component word cether (סֵתֶר), described there as “a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal o[ver]).”

Observation

Exodus 6 places Zithri (“Sithri”) in a tightly structured list of Levite families, and immediately ties that genealogical framing to the command Yahweh gave to Moses and Aaron: “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.” (Exodus 6:26)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Zithri mean?

Zithri means “protective.”

How many times does Zithri appear in the Bible?

Zithri appears 1 time.

Who was Zithri?

Zithri (Sithri) was an Israelite mentioned in a genealogy.

Where is Zithri mentioned in the Bible?

Zithri is named as one of “the sons of Uzziel” in Exodus 6:22.

Explore Further

If you found this page about Zithri interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).