Original Word: צָעִיר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Tsa`iyr
Pronunciation: tsah-EER
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-eer')
KJV: Zair
NASB: Zair
Word Origin: [the same as H6810 (צָּעִיר צָּעוֹר - younger)]

1. Tsair, a place in Idumaea

Zair

The same as tsa'iyr; Tsair, a place in Idumaea -- Zair.

see HEBREW tsa'iyr

Word Origin
from Tsoar
Definition
a place on the border of Edom
NASB Translation
Zair (1).

II. [צָעִיר] proper name, of a location probably on border of Edom, צָעִ֫ירָה 2 Kings 8:21, εἰς Σειωρ (ᵐ5^L ἐκ Σιωρ).

Entry Summary

Tsâʿîr (Strong’s Hebrew 6811) designates the place called “Zair” that appears in the account of Edom’s revolt against King Jehoram of Judah. Although the name occurs only once (2 Kings 8:21), its setting within a pivotal political and theological moment gives the location enduring importance for understanding covenant faithfulness, divine judgment, and the broader biblical narrative concerning Edom and Judah.

Geographical Setting

Zair is situated in the mountainous region of Edom, south-southeast of the Dead Sea. The terrain is rugged, marked by deep wadis and defensive high points, making it well suited for guerilla resistance against a chariot-equipped force. While its exact coordinates remain uncertain, the context links Zair with the routes leading to Sela (Petra) and Bozrah. The linguistic similarity between “Zair” and “Seir” suggests proximity to Mount Seir, the ancestral homeland of the Edomites (Genesis 36:8). Such a locale would naturally become a rallying point for an Edomite uprising.

Historical Setting in the Divided Kingdom

2 Kings 8:20-22 records that “In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled from under the hand of Judah and set up their own king”. Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, had forsaken many of his father’s reforms (2 Chronicles 21:11). His spiritual compromise paralleled political decline. The revolt at Zair effectively ended more than eighty years of Edomite subjugation established by King David (2 Samuel 8:13-14) and maintained by subsequent Judean administrations. Jehoram’s nighttime maneuver “with all his chariots” (2 Kings 8:21) underscores the seriousness of the threat, yet the campaign failed and Judah’s grip on Edom collapsed. Zair, therefore, marks a turning point where covenant disobedience in Jerusalem produced immediate geopolitical consequences.

Cross-References and Possible Identifications

• Isaiah 16:1 speaks of a “mountain of the Daughter of Zion, to the rock of the wilderness,” language that echoes Edomite strongholds and may allude to the same strategic corridor.
• Obadiah 1:3-4 condemns Edom’s pride in her lofty dwelling places—“You who dwell in the clefts of the rock”—imagery consistent with a fortress like Zair.
• The chronicler adds that “Jehoram went forth with his officers and all his chariots…but the Edomites surrounded him” (2 Chronicles 21:9), highlighting the tactical disadvantage Judah faced in Edom’s hill country.

Theological and Prophetic Implications

1. Covenant Accountability: Zair’s single mention powerfully illustrates that foreign policy and spiritual fidelity are intertwined. Jehoram’s apostasy led directly to national vulnerability, fulfilling warnings such as Leviticus 26:17.
2. Edom as Esau’s Line: The revolt resurrects the ancient rivalry between Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:23). Zair becomes one more stage in that long-running drama, setting the scene for later prophetic oracles against Edom (Isaiah 34; Jeremiah 49; Obadiah).
3. Messianic Anticipation: Ultimately, Scripture envisions Edom’s supremacy being broken under the reign of the coming King (Numbers 24:18-19). The defeat at Zair may appear as Edom’s triumph, yet it prefigures a final reversal when “Saviors will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau” (Obadiah 1:21).

Lessons for Ministry and Personal Faith

• Spiritual Leadership Matters: Jehoram’s moral drift weakened Judah more than any foreign army. Leaders and believers alike must guard fidelity to God’s word, knowing that spiritual compromise invites defeat.
• Hidden Places of Rebellion: Just as Zair lay in a difficult-to-access region, the heart can conceal areas of resistance to the Lord’s authority. Vigilance and repentance keep rebellion from gaining a foothold.
• God’s Sovereignty Over Nations: Though Judah lost Edom at Zair, the Lord’s larger redemptive plan remained intact. Apparent setbacks do not nullify divine promises; they often expose deeper issues God intends to address.
• Hope in Ultimate Justice: Edom’s temporary victory foreshadows greater deliverance. Believers can trust that every injustice and rebellion will meet perfect judgment in God’s appointed time.

References

2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chronicles 21:8-10; Genesis 25:23; Genesis 36:8; Numbers 24:18-19; Leviticus 26:17; Isaiah 34:5-8; Isaiah 16:1; Jeremiah 49:7-22; Obadiah 1:3-4, 21

צָעִ֔ירָה צעירה ṣā‘îrāh ṣā·‘î·rāh tzaIrahInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts