Seir שֵׂעִיר
Horite chief, ancestor of the Horites of Seir
Who is Seir in the Bible?
Seir was a Horite chief and ancestor of the Horites who inhabited the mountainous region bearing his name in what later became Edom, south of the Dead Sea (Genesis 36:20-21, 1 Chronicles 1:38). The Horites were the original inhabitants of the land of Seir before the descendants of Esau, known as the Edomites, settled there and intermarried with them. The region itself, called "the land of Seir" or alternatively "the field of Edom," was named after this prominent Horite leader. Seir's significance in biblical history lies in marking the pre-Edomite occupation of the region and representing the indigenous population that preceded the settlement of Esau's descendants in that territory.
Biography
Seir is mentioned in Gen.36.20-21 and 1Ch.1.38 as a Horite chief and an ancestor of the Horites who inhabited the land of Seir. The Horites were the original inhabitants of the region of Seir before the descendants of Esau settled there. Seir is listed among the sons of Seir the Horite, indicating that he was a prominent figure among the Horite clans. The land of Seir, located in the region of Edom, south of the Dead Sea, was named after Seir the Horite. The descendants of Esau, also known as the Edomites, later inhabited this region and intermarried with the Horites.
Family
Offspring
- Lotan EdomSon of SeirSon of Seir the Horite; chief of EdomView full profile →
- Shobal Tribe of JudahSon of HurSon of Hur, founder of Kiriath-jearim, Judahite descendant.View full profile →
- Zibeon EdomFather of AnahHivite grandfather of Esau's wife OholibamahView full profile →
- Dishon EdomSon of SeirDescendant of Seir the Horite, son of AnahView full profile →
- Ezer MaleDavid's warriorGadite warrior; joined David at Ziklag.View full profile →
- Dishan EdomSon of SeirDescendant of Seir the HoriteView full profile →
- Timna EdomSister of LotanConcubine of Eliphaz; mother of AmalekView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 2 verses
- Genesis 36:20
"These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 36:21
"Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs of the Horites, the descendants of Seir in the land of Edom."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:38
"The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שֵׂעִיר |
Seir
>Ge 32:3 "the land of Seir" is equated with "the field of Edom." The Mount and the Land of Seir are alternative appellations of the mountainous tract which runs along the eastern side of the Arabah, occupied by the descendants of Esau, who succeeded the ancient Horites (Ge 14:6; 36:20), "cave-dwellers," in possession. For a description of the land see EDOM.
(2) (har se`ir; Codex Vaticanus Assar; Codex Alexandrinus Seeir): A landmark on the boundary of Judah (Jos 15:10), not far from Kiriath-jearim and Chesalon. The name means "shaggy," and probably here denoted a wooded height. It may be that part of the range which runs Northeast from Saris by Karyat el-`Anab and Biddu to the plateau of el-Jib. Traces of an ancient forest are still to be seen here.
W. Ewing
se-i'-ra, se'-i-ra (ha-se`irah; Codex Vaticanus Seteirotha; Codex Alexandrinus Seeirotha; the King James Version, Seirath): The place to which Ehud escaped after his assassination of Eglon, king of Moab (<ref osisRef="