עִיר (ir)
ir
Ir
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Ir, written with the Hebrew letters ayin-yod-resh, appears in Scripture as a personal name rather than a common noun for city. It is recorded only once, in 1 Chronicles 7:12, where it identifies a man from the tribe of Benjamin during the patriarchal era.
Lexical sources note that the term likely means "belonging to a city" or "urban," derived from the root for city (ir). In this genealogical context, Ir is listed as the son of Bela and the father of Shuppim and Huppim. The textual tradition marks this entry with some doubt, suggesting scribes may have been uncertain about the spelling or identity, yet it remains a distinct link in the Benjaminite family line.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ir appears in the Bible as a specific identifier for individuals rather than a general term for a city. In Genesis, it forms part of the name Rehoboth Ir, marking a place of expansion and establishment in ancient Assyria. This usage reminds us that names often carry weight, connecting people to their heritage and the places they helped shape.
In Chronicles, Ir is listed as the son of Bela within the tribe of Benjamin. Genealogies like this one preserve the memory of ordinary lives, ensuring that every person in God’s family line is remembered. It highlights how each generation contributes to the broader story of faith passed down through time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ir2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עִ֖יר1×
- עִ֔יר1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:11
Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah,
This verse uses Ir as part of the place name Rehoboth Ir, indicating a significant urban foundation during the spread of Nimrod's kingdom.
-
I Chronicles 7:12
So were Shuppim, Huppim, the sons of Ir, Hushim, and the sons of Aher.
Here Ir is identified as a son of Bela, serving as a crucial link in the genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin.