Ira עִירָא
David's priest, a Jairite.
Biography
Ira the Jairite served as a priest under King David, according to 2Sa.20.26. He is listed among David's officials at the end of a narrative describing the quelling of a rebellion against David. As a Jairite, Ira likely descended from Jair, who was from the tribe of Manasseh (Num.32.41, Deut 3.14). The text provides no further details about Ira's specific duties or tenure as a priest under David's reign.
In Scripture
1 biblical book2 Samuel 1 verse
- 2 Samuel 20:26
"and Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עִירָא | H5896G |
Ira
rican Standard Revised Version "chief minister") unto David. The translation of the Revised Version (British and American) is the only possible one; but, according to the text, Ira was "a Jairite," and thus of the tribe of Manasseh (Nu 32:41) and not eligible to the priesthood. On the basis of the Peshitta some would correct "Jairite" of 2Sa 20:26 into "Jattirite," referring to Jattir, a priestly city within the territory of Judah (Jos 21:14). Others point to 2Sa 8:18 margin, "David's sons were priests," as an indication that in David's time some non-Levites were permitted to serve--in some sense--as priests.
(2) An "Ithrite," or (with a different pointing of the text) a "Jattirite," one of David's "thirty" (2Sa 23:38 parallel 1Ch 11:40); possibly identical with (1).
(3) Another of David's "thirty," son of Ikkesh of Tekoa (2Sa 23:26; 1Ch 11:28) and a captain of the temple guard (1Ch 27:9).
F. K. Farr
i'-rad (`iradh; Septuagint Gaidad): Grandson of Cain and son of Enoch (Ge 4:18).
i'-ram (`iram; Septuagint variously in Gen): A "chief" of Edom