Ginath

Biblical Record

Ginath appears only in 1 Kings 16:21-22. In both verses he is mentioned in the phrase "Tibni the son of Ginath." The text records nothing about Ginath's own deeds, tribe, or occupation.

His name appears in the context of a struggle for the throne of the northern kingdom of Israel. After Zimri, who had killed King Elah and seized the throne, died after only seven days (1 Kings 16:15-18), the people were divided into two factions. Half sought to make Tibni the son of Ginath king, while the other half followed Omri, the commander of the army. In the end, the faction that followed Omri prevailed, and after Tibni died, Omri became king (1 Kings 16:21-22).

Significance Within Scripture

Ginath serves only as a genealogical marker identifying his son Tibni. Identifying a person as "the son of" someone is a common practice in the Old Testament. Ginath is not mentioned in the New Testament.

Interpretation and Issues

The text says nothing about Ginath's life. It is unknown what kind of person he was or whether he was involved in his son's claim to the throne. Any accounts that supply such details are not part of the biblical record.

Because Zimri's accession is dated to the twenty-seventh year of King Asa (1 Kings 16:15) and Omri's accession to the thirty-first year of King Asa (1 Kings 16:23), some scholars suggest that the conflict between Tibni and Omri may have lasted several years.

In the Korean Church

Sermons and Sunday school lessons devoted specifically to Ginath are rare. His name typically comes up only as the father of Tibni when congregations read through the books of Kings or when teachers explain the history of the dynasties of the northern kingdom of Israel.