Bible Dictionary
Ira
Ira was the name of several men associated with David: a Tekoite and an Ithrite among his warriors, and a Jairite who served David as an official or priestly adviser.
Definition
Ira is the name of several men associated with David: a Tekoite and an Ithrite among David’s warriors, and a Jairite who served David as a priest, chief minister, or confidential royal adviser.
Biblical Usage
The biblical records distinguish Ira’s military service among David’s thirty from the Ira who served in David’s court. The text calls the latter a Jairite and priest, though his precise tribal and priestly status is discussed in the supplied material.
Historical Background
The Jairite Ira is associated with Jair, while the military men are identified as an Ithrite and a Tekoite. The identity of the different men named Ira is not entirely certain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Citizen; wakeful. (1.) A Tekoite, one of David’s thirty warriors (2 Sam. 23:26). (2.) An Ithrite, also one of David’s heroes (2 Sam. 23:38). (3.) A Jairite and priest, a royal chaplain (2 Sam. 20:26) or confidential adviser (comp. 2 Sam. 8:18; 1 Chr. 18:17).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(watchful of a city).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>i'-ra (`ira'; Eiras):</p><p>(1) A person referred to in 2Sa 20:26 as "priest" (so the Revised Version (British and American) correctly; the King James Version "a chief ruler," the American 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.</p><p>(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).</p><p>(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).</p><p>F. K. Farr</p>