Ira עִירָא
David's priest, a Jairite.
Who is Ira in the Bible?
Ira the Jairite was a priest who served under King David, as mentioned in 2 Samuel 20:26. He appears in a list of David's officials recorded at the conclusion of a narrative about suppressing a rebellion against the king. As a Jairite, Ira likely descended from Jair of the tribe of Manasseh, though the biblical text provides no further details about his specific priestly duties or the length of his service. His inclusion among David's inner circle demonstrates the organizational structure of the royal priesthood during Israel's united monarchy, though Ira remains a minor figure with limited biblical information about his role and significance.
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 David’s priest."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עִירָא |
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