Original Word: חִירָם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Chiyram
Pronunciation: khee-RAHM
Phonetic Spelling: (khee-rawm')
KJV: Hiram, Huram
NASB: Hiram, Hiram's
Word Origin: [another form of H2361 (חוּרָם - Huram)]

1. Chiram or Chirom, the name of two Tyrians

Hiram, Huram

Or Chiyrowm {khee-rome'}; another form of Chuwram; Chiram or Chirom, the name of two Tyrians -- Hiram, Huram.

see HEBREW Chuwram

Word Origin
short. from Achiram
Definition
a Benjamite, also two Arameans (Syrians)
NASB Translation
Hiram (22), Hiram's (1).

חִירָם proper name, masculine Hiram (Phoenician חרם; abbreviated from foregoing) — ׳ח 2 Samuel 5:11 18t. 1Kings + Kt 1 Chronicles 14:1; 2Chronicles 4:11; 9:10 (all Qr חוּרָם); חִירוֺם 1 Kings 5:24; 1 Kings 5:32; 1 Kings 7:40; also חוּרָם 1 Chronicles 8:5 9t. Chronicles —

1 king of Tyre, contemporary of David & Solomon 2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:15 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 5:16; 1 Kings 5:21; 1 Kings 5:22; 1 Kings 5:24; 1 Kings 5:25 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 5:26; 1 Kings 5:32; 1 Kings 9:11 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 9:12,14,27; 1 Kings 10:11,12; 1 Chronicles 14:1; 2Chron 2:2; 2 Chronicles 2:10; 2 Chronicles 2:11; 2 Chronicles 8:2,18; 9:10,21.

2 an artificer of Tyre, sent by Hiram the king 1 Kings 7:13,40 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 7:45; 2Chron 2:12; 2 Chronicles 4:11 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 4:16.

3 a Benjamite 1 Chronicles 8:5.

Name and Overview

Hiram (חִירָם, Strong’s 2438) designates two prominent men from the Phoenician city-state of Tyre who interact with the united monarchy of Israel: Hiram the king and Hiram (also rendered Huram) the master craftsman. Their appearances span the reigns of David and Solomon and cluster in passages dealing with covenant friendship, temple construction, and international trade.

Distinguishing the Two Hirams

1. King Hiram of Tyre (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5; 1 Kings 9–10; 1 Chronicles 14:1; 2 Chronicles 2; 2 Chronicles 9:10): a Gentile monarch who forms enduring alliances with David and Solomon.
2. Hiram/Huram-Abi, the artisan (1 Kings 7:13–45; 2 Chronicles 4:11–16): a man of mixed Tyrian and Israelite heritage, renowned for bronze and gold workmanship for Solomon’s temple.

Historical Background: King Hiram of Tyre

Tyre was a leading maritime power on the Mediterranean coast. Hiram’s reign (traditionally ca. 971–937 BC) overlaps the early years of David and most of Solomon’s reign, providing a historical anchor for the biblical chronology.

Relationship with David

“Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David” (2 Samuel 5:11). By sending resources before Israel had approached him, Hiram demonstrates goodwill toward the Lord’s anointed. The Chronicler adds, “Hiram… sent messengers to David with cedar logs, as well as stonemasons and carpenters to build him a house” (1 Chronicles 14:1), highlighting the reciprocal honor between a Gentile king and Israel’s king. This friendship prefigures the inclusion of the nations under Messiah’s future reign (Psalm 72:10–11).

Alliance with Solomon

After David’s death, Solomon inherits the Tyrian alliance. “When Hiram heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his servants to Solomon, for he had always loved David” (1 Kings 5:1). Solomon requests cedar, cypress, and algum logs for the temple (1 Kings 5:2–6). Hiram rejoices, blessing “the LORD today, who has given David a wise son over this great people” (1 Kings 5:7). Hiram’s proclamation uses Israel’s covenant name for God (YHWH), signifying respect for the God of Israel.

Materials and Expertise Supplied

Hiram provides the famed cedars of Lebanon, cypress timber, and skilled labor. In exchange, Solomon supplies wheat and pressed oil yearly (1 Kings 5:10–11). The logistical cooperation is detailed: “The servants of Solomon and Hiram brought the logs down from Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea; they floated them as rafts to the place that Solomon designated” (1 Kings 5:8–9). The joint workforce—“the builders of Solomon and Hiram, along with the Gebalites” (1 Kings 5:18)—reflects the integration of Gentile craftsmen into a project dedicated to the worship of the Lord.

Economic and Political Dimensions

Solomon later gives Hiram twenty Galilean towns (1 Kings 9:11–14). Though Hiram calls them “Cabul” (good-for-nothing), the transaction underscores a wider trade network: joint Red Sea fleets bring “gold, almug wood, and precious stones” (1 Kings 10:11). “The fleet of Hiram brought gold from Ophir” (1 Kings 10:11), enriching both kingdoms. Such prosperity fulfills Deuteronomy 28 promises tied to covenant obedience.

Artisan Hiram (Huram-Abi)

“So King Solomon sent for Huram and brought him from Tyre” (1 Kings 7:13). His mother was from the tribe of Naphtali (or Dan per Chronicles), and his father a Tyrian bronze-worker (1 Kings 7:14; 2 Chronicles 2:13–14). This dual heritage equips him to bridge cultures and craft the temple’s sacred vessels—two bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz, the bronze Sea, basins, shovels, and bowls (1 Kings 7:15–40; 2 Chronicles 4:11–16). Scripture repeatedly notes, “Huram finished doing all the work” (1 Kings 7:40; 2 Chronicles 4:11), emphasizing faithful completion.

Theological and Typological Reflections

1. Gentile Partnership: Both Hirams embody Isaiah’s vision, “Foreigners will build up your walls” (Isaiah 60:10). Their service anticipates the gathering of the nations into the worship of the one true God.
2. Wisdom Motif: Hiram celebrates Solomon’s wisdom (1 Kings 5:7,12). Wisdom, like temple-building, reaches its climax in Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom” (Colossians 2:3).
3. Giving of Cedar and Bronze: The fragrant cedar and enduring bronze prefigure the incorruptible and judgment-bearing aspects of Christ’s atoning work.
4. Covenant Faithfulness: The peaceful relations with Tyre fulfill 1 Chronicles 22:9 regarding Solomon’s reign of “rest and peace,” underscoring God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Lessons for Ministry Today

• God sovereignly uses non-Israelite rulers and artisans to advance His redemptive purposes.
• Cooperation founded on reverence for the Lord fosters peace and mutual blessing among nations.
• Excellence in craft and administration, modeled by both Hirams, honors God and supports corporate worship.
• Wise stewardship of resources, fair trade, and keeping one’s word (1 Kings 5:12) remain hallmarks of godly leadership.

Principal Occurrences

2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:1–12,18; 1 Kings 7:13–45; 1 Kings 9:11–14,27; 1 Kings 10:11,22; 1 Chronicles 14:1; 2 Chronicles 4:11; 2 Chronicles 9:10.

חִיר֔וֹם חִיר֖וֹם חִיר֜וֹם חִירָ֑ם חִירָ֔ם חִירָ֖ם חִירָ֗ם חִירָ֛ם חִירָ֣ם חִירָ֤ם חִירָ֨ם חִירָם֙ חוּרָ֗ם חוּרָ֨ם חוּרָם֙ חורם חירום חירם לְחִירָ֖ם לְחִירָ֜ם לְחִירָם֙ לחירם chiRam chiRom chuRam ḥî·rām ḥî·rō·wm ḥîrām ḥîrōwm ḥū·rām ḥūrām lə·ḥî·rām lechiRam ləḥîrāmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts