Original Word: עִירָא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Iyra'
Pronunciation: ee-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-raw')
KJV: Ira
NASB: Ira
Word Origin: [from H5782 (עוּר - awake)]

1. wakefulness
2. Ira, the name of three Israelites

Ira

From uwr; wakefulness; Ira, the name of three Israelites -- Ira.

see HEBREW uwr

Word Origin
from the same as ayir
Definition
three Isr.
NASB Translation
Ira (6).

עִירָא proper name, masculine (see Sabean proper name, masculine עיר Hal¹⁵⁹); —

1 כֹּהֵן (q. v.

1) of David 2 Samuel 20:26; on possibly ident. with 2b see Th Klo HPS, opposed to We Dr; Ειρας, ᵐ5^L Ιωδαε.

2 heroes of David (Ειρας, etc., ᵐ5^L Ιδεα, Οιαδ, etc.):

a. 2 Samuel 23:26 = 1 Chronicles 11:28; 1 Chronicles 27:9.

b. 2 Samuel 23:38 = 1 Chronicles 11:40.

Overview

The name עִירָא (Ira) appears six times in Scripture and designates three distinct men who served during the reign of King David. Though their specific roles differ, each occurrence places Ira in direct support of the Davidic kingdom—either in priestly ministry or in military leadership—thus illustrating complementary facets of covenant faithfulness: worship and warfare.

Ira the Jairite: Personal Priest to King David

Reference: 2 Samuel 20:26

After the upheavals caused by Absalom and Sheba, David reorganized his court. “Ira the Jairite was priest to David” (2 Samuel 20:26). Unlike the hereditary Aaronic priests who ministered at the tabernacle, Ira functioned as the king’s private chaplain. His designation as “Jairite” probably links him to the Trans-Jordanian clan descended from Jair, a Manassite hero (Numbers 32:41). The appointment suggests several noteworthy realities:
• Royal Reliance on Spiritual Counsel. Amid national instability David still prioritized godly guidance at the heart of government.
• Flexibility within the Levitical System. David did not abolish Levite ministry but supplemented it with a trusted spiritual advisor whose tribal background lay outside Levi, anticipating the later prophetic role of non-Levitical figures such as Elijah and Amos.
• Continuity of Worship Reform. By replacing his own sons (2 Samuel 8:18) with a dedicated priest, David distanced himself from potentially dynastic corruption and modeled submission to divine order.

Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: Mighty Warrior and Divisional Commander

References: 2 Samuel 23:26; 1 Chronicles 11:28; 1 Chronicles 27:9

Tekoa lay in the hill country of Judah, about ten miles south of Bethlehem. From that rugged terrain emerged Ira, son of Ikkesh, one of “the Thirty” famed for valor: “Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite” (2 Samuel 23:26). His exploits earned him further responsibility when David instituted the twelve-division reserve army: “The sixth month belonged to Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite; in his division were 24,000 men” (1 Chronicles 27:9). Key observations include:
• Elevated from Locality to National Service. Tekoa, though peripheral, supplied leadership to the center, affirming God’s sovereign choice irrespective of origin.
• Integration of Courage and Competence. Ira’s placement over 24,000 troops highlights administrative skill in addition to battlefield prowess.
• Preparation for Temple Peace. By securing David’s borders, commanders like Ira made possible the transition to Solomon’s era of construction (1 Chronicles 22:8-10).

Ira the Ithrite: A Champion from Kiriath-Jearim Vicinity

References: 2 Samuel 23:38; 1 Chronicles 11:40

Listed with Gareb, “Ira the Ithrite” (2 Samuel 23:38) belonged to a small clan likely tied to Jattir or Kiriath-Jearim in Judah. Although Scripture records no individual feat, his inclusion among David’s elite underscores:
• Diversity within the Thirty. The roll combines north-, south-, and trans-Jordanian heroes, uniting the tribes under the anointed king.
• Courage without Renown. Ira the Ithrite reminds believers that obscurity before men does not diminish honor before God (Hebrews 6:10).

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Complementary Callings. The three men named Ira embody worship (priest), warfare (soldier), and governance (commander). Together they foreshadow the holistic calling of the church as “a royal priesthood” engaged in spiritual battle (1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 6:10-18).
2. Covenant Loyalty. Each Ira stood unwaveringly with David, the Lord’s chosen king. Their loyalty mirrors the believer’s allegiance to the Son of David, Jesus Christ, despite personal risk or obscurity.
3. God’s Use of the Ordinary. Tekoa, Jair, and Ithrite villages held no political weight, yet God raised leaders from them. This pattern encourages contemporary servants who labor in unnoticed places (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

Lessons for Christian Service Today

• Seek Intimacy with the King. Like Ira the Jairite, cultivate personal worship that sustains public duty.
• Marry Valor to Stewardship. Ira the Tekoite coupled battlefield courage with organized leadership; spiritual zeal must be matched by faithful administration (1 Corinthians 4:2).
• Embrace Faithful Obscurity. Ira the Ithrite teaches that quiet fidelity ranks with celebrated exploits on the Lord’s honor roll.

In sum, the six mentions of עִירָא weave a tapestry of devotion, courage, and service that advances God’s redemptive purposes through David’s kingdom and points ahead to the greater David, whose followers likewise share priestly intimacy and militant faithfulness.

עִירָ֤א עִירָ֥א עִירָא֙ עירא ‘î·rā ‘îrā iRaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts