← H5895 H5897 →

עִירָא

𐤏𐤉𐤓𐤀

Ira

H5896 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עור to awake, to be alert, to rouse oneself

Definition

A personal name meaning 'wakeful' or 'watchful.' Used as the name for three different individuals in the Hebrew Bible: (1) a member of David’s elite warriors (2 Samuel 23:38); (2) another of David’s warriors, described as an Ithrite (2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40), and (3) a Jairite who served as David’s priest (2 Samuel 20:26). In all occurrences, it functions as a proper name, reflecting a characteristic trait, likely alluding to vigilance or alertness.

Semantic Range

personal name meaning 'wakeful' or 'watchful'; applied as a proper name to different individuals in the Israelite monarchy period; does not occur as a common noun

Root / Etymology

From the root עוּר ('to awake, be watchful, be alert'). עִירָא is a personal name built from this root, possibly expressing the trait 'wakeful' or 'one who is watchful.' The formation follows common Hebrew patterns for personal names derived from adjectives or participles. The root sense ('to awake') is nominalized in this context.

Historical & Contextual Notes

This name appears exclusively in the context of personal names and is not used as a common noun. It was used in the monarchic period among Israelites, particularly in the context of David’s military and administrative circle. Unlike later English usage, which sometimes conflates ancient Israelite figures with Judeans or 'Jews,' these references occur during the unified monarchy and pertain specifically to Israelite individuals. The translated form 'Ira' in English Bibles is direct but does not carry the lexical sense of 'wakefulness' present in the Hebrew. Related names can be seen where the participle of the verb 'to awake' is used to express desired traits in the bearer.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עוּר; wakefulness; Ira, the name of three Israelites; Ira.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

עור (ʿ-w-r) — to awake, to rouse, to be alert

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H216 אוֹר in the skin
H219 אוֹרָה skins of
H4589 מָעוֹר their exposed genitals
H5782 עוּר Let me rouse up
H5783 עוּר she will be roused

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5896-01 עִירָא֙ ira HNp Ira Wakeful-one 6

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5896-01 2 Samuel 20:26 עִירָא֙ ira HNp Ira Wakeful-one
H5896-01 2 Samuel 23:26 עִירָ֥א ira HNp Ira Wakeful-one
H5896-01 2 Samuel 23:38 עִירָא֙ ira HNp Ira Wakeful-one
H5896-01 1 Chronicles 11:28 עִירָ֤א ira HNp Ira Wakeful-one
H5896-01 1 Chronicles 11:40 עִירָא֙ ira HNp Ira Wakeful-one
H5896-01 1 Chronicles 27:9 עִירָ֥א ira HNp Ira Wakeful-one
← H5895 Hebrew Lexicon H5897 →