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עִיר

𐤏𐤉𐤓

Ir

H5892 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עיר to awake, be alert, arouse

Definition

A permanent settlement characterized by fixed dwellings and some form of organized communal life; generally a city or town as distinct from the open country. The term ranges from large, fortified urban centers to smaller, enclosed settlements, and in some instances can even denote encampments or outlying enclosed habitations. Implies some degree of societal organization or protection.

Semantic Range

city, town, walled settlement, fortified place, encampment, court, urban center, place of vigilance

Root / Etymology

From the root עוּר (ʿ-w-r), meaning 'to be awake, to arouse.' The connection between the root and the noun is thought to be because cities were places of alertness or watchfulness, likely due to their need for vigilance and protected status. However, this connection is debated and the precise semantic development is somewhat uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, עִיר is the standard term for a populated and enclosed settlement, distinguishing it from חָצֵר (ḥāṣēr, 'village, enclosure') and קִרְיָה (qiryāh, also 'city,' but sometimes denoting a larger or more politically significant settlement). עִיר occurs throughout all periods of Israelite history, from the patriarchal narratives (Genesis) where cities such as Sodom and Gomorrah appear, through the monarchy and exile, where fortified cities (עִיר מְבֻצָּרָה) play a major role in military strategy, to the post-exilic era. Its scope varies in size, so in some contexts it refers to small walled towns (e.g., the Levitical cities) while in others it describes major urban centers (e.g., Jerusalem or Babylon). The term does not inherently distinguish between ethnic, political, or cultic function, and its exact sociopolitical meaning depends upon context. English 'city' or 'town' only partially capture the full range of meanings; 'city' tends to evoke large, modern urban life, whereas biblical עִיר can refer to settlements with far fewer inhabitants and resources. In translation traditions, especially KJV, 'city' is sometimes used where 'settlement' or 'town' might give a more accurate sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עיר (ʿ-w-r) — to awake, be alert, arouse

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H215 אוֹר the fortified settlement
H5900 עִירוּ Iru City-man
H5901 עִירִי and City-Dweller
H5902 עִירָם Iram
H6144 עָר Ar

Word Forms

65 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5892-21 הָ/עִ֔יר hair HTd/Ncfsa the city the watchful settlement 311
H5892-25 עִ֔יר ir HNcfsa city watchful settlement 134
H5892-04 עָרֵ֣י arey HNcfpc cities settlements of 94
H5892-09 עָרִים֙ arim HNcfpa cities guarded settlements 78
H5892-23 הֶ/עָרִ֣ים hearim HTd/Ncfpa the cities the cities 70
H5892-10 בָּ/עִ֑יר bair HRd/Ncfsa in the city in the settlement 45
H5892-18 בְּ/עִ֖יר beir HR/Ncfsc in the city in a guarded settlement of 37
H5892-12 בְּ/עָרֵ֣י bearey HR/Ncfpc in the cities in cities of 37
H5892-33 לָ/עִֽיר lair HRd/Ncfsa the city to the settled city 26
H5892-30 עִיר֖/וֹ iro HNcfsc/Sp3ms his city his settlement-city 22

Occurrences in Scripture

1095 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5892-25 Genesis 4:17 עִ֔יר ir HNcfsa a city watchful settlement
H5892-21 Genesis 4:17 הָ/עִ֔יר hair HTd/Ncfsa of the city the watchful settlement
H5892-25 Genesis 10:11 עִ֖יר ir HNp Ir watchful settlement
H5892-21 Genesis 10:12 הָ/עִ֥יר hair HTd/Ncfsa the city the watchful settlement
H5892-25 Genesis 11:4 עִ֗יר ir HNcfsa a city watchful settlement
H5892-21 Genesis 11:5 הָ/עִ֖יר hair HTd/Ncfsa the city the watchful settlement
H5892-21 Genesis 11:8 הָ/עִֽיר hair HTd/Ncfsa the city the watchful settlement
H5892-12 Genesis 13:12 בְּ/עָרֵ֣י bearey HR/Ncfpc in the cities in cities of
H5892-21 Genesis 18:24 הָ/עִ֑יר hair HTd/Ncfsa the city the watchful settlement
H5892-21 Genesis 18:26 הָ/עִ֑יר hair HTd/Ncfsa the city the watchful settlement
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